With a focus on further boosting its presence as a global tourist hub, the United Arab Emirates has launched its first multi-entry five-year tourist visa for all nationalities.

The announcement was made during this year’s first cabinet meeting in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE, and ruler of the Emirate of Dubai.

Up until now, tourist visas for the UAE were issued for a duration of 30 or 90 days, from the date of entry.

The amended tourist visa system will come into effect during the first quarter of 2020. However, details on the visa application fee and other formalities haven’t been released yet.

Expressing his views on this big move, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said in a tweet, “Today we approved the change of the tourist visa system in the country. So that the duration of the tourist visa is five years and multi-use for all nationalities.

“We receive more than 21 million tourists annually and our aim is to establish the country as a major global tourist destination”

Moreover, visa waiver for Mexican citizens travelling to the UAE has also been issued, as per UAE Government Communication Office’s Twitter account.