UAE Introduces New Events Visit Visa for Conference and Exhibition Attendees

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai has clarified the rules for a dedicated Events Visit Visa, a temporary entry permit for international visitors attending approved conferences, exhibitions, summits, festivals and other major gatherings across the UAE.

The visa is aimed at participants, exhibitors, delegates, speakers and general visitors attending events hosted by government entities or approved private-sector organisers. To apply, the event organiser must first secure an approved participant quota from the relevant authority, then issue each attendee a sponsorship letter describing the nature and duration of the event, along with supporting documentation.

Visitors can choose between a 30-day or 60-day stay, with single or multiple entry depending on the event schedule. Cumulative stay under the permit can reach up to 120 days, and extensions are available where needed.

Eligible events span a wide range of categories: international conferences, trade exhibitions, cultural and sports festivals, educational forums, community programmes, and religious or economic meetings — reflecting Dubai and the wider UAE’s continued push to position itself as a global hub for business and major events.

For overseas investors who split their time between the UAE and abroad, visas like this one are a reminder of how deliberately the country has built its entry framework around business and investment activity — alongside the long-term residency options such as the Golden Visa that property investment can unlock.

Source of information: Gulf News