UAE introduces visa for cruise crew and passengers, reinforcing position as global destination

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) has introduced new entry visa regulations for the UAE that include, for the first time, a multiple-entry visa tailored to cruise ship crew and passengers. 

The move is a significant boost for the UAE’s cruise sector, supporting both operational efficiency for cruise lines and its ambitions to consolidate its position as a leading global hub for cruise tourism.

The vast majority of cruise ships homeporting in the Arabian Gulf during the winter season do so in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, accommodating almost a million cruise passengers annually.

Under the new framework, foreigners arriving on cruise ships can now obtain a multiple-entry visa for a temporary period. The visa requires a tourist itinerary outlining entry points into the country, with a licensed tourism or shipping company acting as the guarantor or host. 

This adjustment simplifies shore leave and turnaround logistics for international crew, while also easing entry for transit passengers embarking or disembarking in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

By offering a flexible visa option for cruise crew and passengers, the UAE is addressing a key requirement in further developing the Gulf’s full potential as a winter cruise destination. 

For crew members, many of whom rotate between ships on short contracts, the change promises easier mobility and less administrative complexity.

Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of ICP, said the updates reflect forward-looking assessments of global mobility trends and align with the UAE’s goals of economic diversification and growth. 

While the new cruise visa sits alongside other categories designed to attract talent in sectors such as artificial intelligence, entertainment, and business, it is expected to have a direct and immediate impact on the tourism economy.

Dubai has become the dominant turnaround port in the Arabian Gulf, hosting over 800,000 passengers and dozens of cruise calls each season. 

The addition of a tailored visa scheme for cruise visitors and crew strengthens its competitive position against Mediterranean and Caribbean ports, where streamlined entry is already the norm. 

It also comes at a time when Gulf ports are expanding capacity and attracting larger ships from European and global fleets.

By easing entry for crew and passengers alike, the UAE is signalling its intent to deepen its role in global cruise itineraries and reinforce Dubai’s image as the region’s gateway for maritime tourism.