Does UAE Offer Visa on Arrival to Indians?

The rule is easy to misread. India is not visa-free for the UAE: the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs' visa information list marks the Republic of India "Visa Required". The visa on arrival is a concession linked to another country's visa or residence permit that you already hold. Everything below is as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. For every UAE visa type open to Indians, see our UAE visa guide for Indian travellers.

Who qualifies for the UAE visa on arrival?

You must hold an ordinary Indian passport valid for at least 6 months, plus one of the documents in this table. GDRFA Dubai adds that the qualifying visa or permit should itself be valid for at least 6 months.

Look closely at the last row. For those six countries the official lists name a residence permit, not a visitor visa. An Indian who holds, say, an Australian tourist visa is not covered by that row and should arrange a UAE visa before flying.

What does the 14-day visa cost, and can you extend it?

The visa on arrival costs AED 100 and is issued at any UAE entry point. It allows a stay of 14 days and can be extended once for a further 14 days.

• Extension fee: GDRFA Dubai lists AED 250 plus 5% VAT and AED 20 (Knowledge and Innovation Dirham).
• Overstay fine: ICP's June 2026 announcement sets the overstay fine at AED 50 per day.
• Rupee price: UAE authorities publish this fee in AED only; there is no official INR figure.

Which documents should you carry to the immigration counter?

GDRFA Dubai and ICP list three items for the visa on arrival and the related 60-day visa:

1. Indian ordinary passport valid for at least 6 months.
2. A personal photo with a white background.
3. A copy of your valid US visa or Green Card, UK or EU visa or residence permit, or residence permit from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore or New Zealand.

Keep the qualifying visa or card valid well beyond your trip, because GDRFA Dubai asks for at least 6 months' validity on it.

Is the 60-day online visa a better choice?

If you qualify for the visa on arrival, you can also get a visa before you fly. ICP issues a 60-day visa online to the same group of eligible Indians, and GDRFA Dubai accepts applications through smart.gdrfad.gov.ae.

The 60-day visa suits a longer family visit or a trip longer than 14 days plus one extension. The visa on arrival suits a short stopover or holiday where you want to keep the cost low.

What are your options without a qualifying visa?

Most Indian travellers do not hold a US, UK or EU visa. UAE embassies do not issue tourist visas, so you arrange one through another channel before flying:

• VFS Global, if flying Emirates: VFS handles Dubai visas for Emirates passengers. A 30-day tourist visa costs INR 7735 (express INR 9870), and normal processing is 5-6 working days excluding Saturday, Sunday and UAE holidays. You must meet one eligibility criterion: travel record, financial records or an invitation from an immediate family member living in the UAE.
• A UAE airline, hotel or licensed travel agent: they apply for shorter tourist visas on your behalf.
• ICP or GDRFA Dubai online: any Indian can apply for the self-sponsored 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa, which needs a USD 4,000 bank balance over 6 months, UAE health insurance and an onward ticket. GDRFA Dubai shows a total of AED 3,713, which may vary.

When did the visa-on-arrival rules change?

• 13 February 2025: the visa on arrival was extended to Indian ordinary-passport holders with valid residence permits from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Singapore, in addition to US, UK and EU visa, residence or Green Card holders (UAE Embassy, New Delhi).
• 25 June 2026: ICP opened this entry visa to further nationalities (India had been the only eligible nationality) and confirmed the 14-day visa at AED 100, extendable once, and the 60-day visa at AED 250, single entry and non-extendable.

Before you fly: checks that prevent trouble at the counter

• Confirm your US, UK or EU visa or residence permit is valid, ideally for at least 6 more months.
• Do not rely on a visitor visa from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore or New Zealand; only a residence permit from those countries is listed.
• Check your own passport has at least 6 months' validity.
• Do not plan to work on a visit: working in the UAE without a MOHRE work permit is illegal under Article 6 of the UAE Labour Law.
• If your stay may run past 14 days plus one extension, get the 60-day visa online before travel.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, itineraries and cover letters for visa applications, including UAE files that need a hotel voucher. Packages range from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter). WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or visit our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Is the UAE visa on arrival free for Indians?

No. Eligible Indian ordinary-passport holders pay AED 100 for the 14-day visa on arrival. The one-time 14-day extension costs AED 250 plus 5% VAT and AED 20, according to GDRFA Dubai.

Does an expired US visa qualify me for a UAE visa on arrival?

No. The official lists require a valid US visa or Green Card, and GDRFA Dubai says the qualifying visa or residence permit should be valid for at least 6 months. With an expired visa you must arrange a UAE visa before travel.

I am an Indian living in a GCC country. Can I get a UAE visa on arrival?

Indians resident in a GCC country apply online with ICP or GDRFA Dubai for the GCC-resident eVisa before arrival. It is valid for 30 days from issue, allows a 30-day stay and can be extended once; the GCC residency must be valid for at least 1 year, the passport for at least 6 months, and the profession must be on the approved list.

How fast is the VFS express UAE visa for Emirates passengers?

VFS lists express processing within 48 hours from submission for the 48-hour and 96-hour transit visas and the 30-day and 60-day tourist visas. The 30-day tourist visa costs INR 9870 on express, against INR 7735 on normal processing.