Dubai introduces world's first city-led tourism membership programme

Dubai has launched two innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing the visitor experience and promoting the city as a top destination for business and leisure. From November 2026, tourists will be able to apply for single-entry and multiple-entry tourist visas directly through Visit Dubai, the official tourism website. This new visa service, developed by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and Digital Dubai, will be integrated with the platform's existing features, allowing visitors to access attractions, experiences, ticket bookings, events, and itineraries all in one place.

Building on this, the Dubai Access Club, an invitation-only membership programme, will be launched to offer exclusive benefits and experiences to repeat visitors. This programme is designed to make returning to Dubai easier and more rewarding for frequent travelers, providing them with access to tailored offers and experiences through a membership platform.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, emphasized that these initiatives are part of Dubai's broader vision to become one of the world's top three destinations for business and leisure, as outlined in the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.

By streamlining the visitor journey and leveraging technology, such as artificial intelligence, Dubai aims to create greater value for tourists, remove barriers to entry, and foster long-term growth in the tourism sector. The Shared Digital Channels Initiative, approved by Sheikh Hamdan in February 2025, is a key component of this strategy, uniting public and private sector services across seven digital platforms to enhance connectivity and personalization.