New Specialist Visas Introduced — From August 10, 2025 (Cruise & Leisure Boat Tourist Visa, Events Visa, Commercial Gaming Visa, AI Professionals Visa)
A ground breaking initiative unfolded with the UAE announcing new specialist visas to be introduced as of August 10, 2025. These targeted talents in attracting niche talent, tourism, and supporting special sectors. The proposed changes are amid the sweeping UAE visa reforms and Dubai new visa rules for 2025. One must now learn more about the UAE’s new visa 2025 landscape to benefit businesses, individuals, and consultants.
In this blog, we will explore the 5 specialist visas in the UAE you should be familiar with and how to navigate them confidently with the help of Cominc Consulting.
The 5 Specialist Visas in the UAE (From August 10, 2025)
1. Cruise & Leisure boat tourist visa in the UAE
Also called the tourist visa for cruise ship and leisure boat travellers or Cruise and leisure boat tourist visa in the UAE, this is a multiple-entry visa designed for tourists arriving via maritime routes.
Duration: 30 days, with the option to extend another 30 days.
Entry: Multiple-entry to support cruising or boating visits.
Requirements: Submit a travel itinerary; host must be a licensed tourism operator handling maritime entries.
This visa simplifies the entry of cruise passengers or private yacht travellers — no longer must they jump through the same hoops as air-arrival tourists.
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2. Events Visa
Validity: 30 or 60 days initially, with extensions possible to 120 or 180 days.
Entry type: Likely single-entry (though policy may evolve).
Sponsor: Must be backed by a host entity (event organiser or sponsor) providing event details.
For international attendees, this visa offers a streamlined route to join large events under fewer entry constraints.
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The Events Visa in Dubai 2025 is meant for visitors participating in conferences, cultural festivals, exhibitions, sports meets, religious gatherings, educational events, or similar.
3. Commercial Gaming Visa (Entertainment / Gaming)
Sometimes referred to as the entertainment visa or commercial gaming visa, this caters to professionals in the gaming or esports industry.
Duration: 30 days, renewable once (another 30 days).
Type: Single-entry initially.
Eligibility / Sponsor: Must be engaged in “commercial gaming” under a licensed host entity. Invitation or agreement from a UAE gaming operator typically required.
The precise legal definitions of “commercial gaming” are still emerging, but the move signals the UAE’s ambition to become a regional hub for esports, game development, and interactive entertainment.
4. AI Professionals Visa
The AI Professionals Visa, is tailored for researchers, consultants, developers, project leads who are specialised in artificial intelligence
Format: Single or multiple entry visit visa.
Stay options: 60 or 90 days initially, with extensions up to 120 or 180 days.
Sponsor: Requires an invitation from a UAE-based host entity in the tech / AI domain.
This visa makes short to mid-term project engagements easier and is part of the UAE’s effort to draw in top AI talent from around the world.
5. Updated Business / Exploration Visa
The visa for exploring business opportunities has been revised under the UAE new visa 2025 reforms.
Updates:
· Applicants can no longer rely solely on “talent, ideas or qualifications” they must now submit financial solvency evidence such as bank statements, investment records, or detailed funding plans.
This change tightens the path for early-stage start-ups or idea stage applicants without a strong financial base.
Understanding Dubai New Visa Rules for 2025
The UAE has refreshed its overall visa policy framework under the banner of Dubai new visa rules for 2025 and more broadly the UAE new visa 2025 renovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
All four new categories and updated rules go live on August 10, 2025.
Four new specialist visas (Cruise & Leisure Boat Tourist, Events, Commercial Gaming, AI Professionals) plus a modified Business / Exploration visa making it effectively 5 specialist visas in the UAE (or updated ones).
Cominc Consulting stays up to date with Dubai’s new visa rules for 2025 and UAE’s new visa 2025 updates to guide you with certainty and supports clients in identifying the right visa category, preparing documentation, submitting applications, and navigating extensions or compliance matters.
Conclusion
With August 10, 2025, marking the rollout of new specialist visas, the UAE eyes full-fledged leadership in tourism, events, immersive entertainment, and frontier tech areas. Set under the broader umbrella of UAE new visa 2025 and Dubai new visa rules 2025, the Cruise and Leisure Boat Tourists Visa in the UAE, Events Visa in Dubai 2025, Commercial Gaming Visa, and AI Professionals Visa offer new avenues.
For global tourists, the Cruise and leisure boat tourist visa in the UAE is especially transformative, making it easier than ever for maritime travellers to enjoy seamless access to ports, cultural landmarks, and extended stays.
At Cominc Consulting, we take the complexity of your registration from eligibility assessment to application, compliance, and renewal.
“Cominc Consulting: Navigating UAE’s new visa era with clarity, compliance, and confidence.”
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