UAE Visa for Indians 2026 | Visa on Arrival, Types & How to Apply
If you’re an Indian passport holder planning a trip to the UAE, whether it’s your first time walking down the Dubai Mall or your tenth business trip to Abu Dhabi, one question always comes up before anything else: do I need a visa, and how do I get one?
We’ve answered this question for thousands of travellers through govr.ae, and we still see the same confusion come up again and again. So we decided to write everything down, clearly, in one place.
This is that guide.
Do Indians Need a UAE Visa?
Yes, Indian passport holders need a visa to enter the UAE. India is not on the UAE’s visa-free list, so simply booking a flight and showing up at Dubai International isn’t going to work.
That said, there’s a meaningful exception worth knowing about.
If you hold a valid, unexpired visa or residence permit from the US, UK, EU, Australia, or Canada, you qualify for a visa on arrival, no advance application needed. For everyone else, a visa needs to be arranged before you travel.
Neither option is complicated once you know what applies to you. Let’s go through both.
Visa on Arrival for Indians
This is probably the most asked-about topic when it comes to UAE travel for Indians, and understandably so โ it’s genuinely convenient when you qualify.
You are eligible for a UAE visa on arrival if you hold a valid visa or residence permit from any of the following countries:
- United States โ US visa (B1/B2 or any category) or a Green Card
- United Kingdom โ UK visa or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
- European Union โ Schengen visa or an EU member state residence permit
- Australia โ Australian visa or permanent residency
- Canada โ Canadian visa or permanent residency
What the visa on arrival gives you:
- A 14-day stay in the UAE
- One extension available, for another 14 days, if needed
- No fee โ it’s issued free of charge at the UAE port of entry
The one condition most people miss: the qualifying visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you enter the UAE. An expired US or UK visa, even if it looks valid on paper, will not be accepted. The immigration officer will check the expiry date.
If your qualifying visa has less than 6 months left, apply for a UAE visa in advance instead of risking a denial at the airport.
Types of UAE Visa for Indians
Not every trip looks the same, and the UAE visa system reflects that. Here’s a straightforward breakdown of what’s available to Indian nationals.
Tourist Visa
This is what most Indian travellers apply for. It’s designed for leisure travel, holidays, sightseeing, short city breaks, and requires no sponsor inside the UAE.
Available in three variants:
- 30-day single entry โ covers most holiday trips comfortably
- 60-day single entry โ better suited for longer trips or if you’re combining multiple emirates
- 30-day multiple entry โ lets you leave and re-enter the UAE multiple times within 30 days of first use
Visit Visa
If you’re travelling to see family or friends who live in the UAE, a visit visa is the appropriate category. The main difference from a tourist visa is that a UAE-based sponsor, typically your family member, applies on your behalf, or you can apply yourself with proof of the relationship.
Duration options mirror the tourist visa: 30 days or 60 days, single entry.
Multiple Entry Visa
One of the more practical visa types for Indians who travel to the UAE regularly, for business, family, or simply because they love the place.
This visa is valid for one year from the date of issue and allows unlimited entries into the UAE during that period. Each individual stay is capped at 30 or 90 days, depending on the variant you choose.
If you find yourself applying for UAE visas two or three times a year, this is almost always better value.
Transit Visa
For those passing through Dubai or Abu Dhabi airports and wanting to step out for a few hours. Available for 48 or 96 hours from the time of arrival.
A lot of Indian travellers on connecting flights use this to squeeze in a quick visit to the city, entirely doable if your layover allows it.
Business Visa
If you’re attending a conference, trade fair, board meeting, or any official business engagement in the UAE, this is the visa you need. Valid for 30 days and requires an invitation letter from a UAE-registered company along with documentation from your employer in India.
Required Documents for UAE Visa Application
Getting your documents right the first time saves you from back-and-forth and delays. Here’s what’s required for most tourist and visit visa applications:
For all applicants:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel
- Recent colour photograph with a plain white background (taken within the last 3 months)
- Confirmed return flight tickets
- Hotel booking or confirmed accommodation details in the UAE
- Bank statements from the last 3 months (to demonstrate sufficient funds)
- Completed visa application form
Additionally, for a visit visa:
- Copy of your UAE-based sponsor’s residence visa and Emirates ID
- Proof of relationship like, marriage certificate, birth certificate, or similar
Additionally, for a business visa:
- Invitation letter on official letterhead from the UAE-based company
- Letter from your employer in India confirming your role and the purpose of travel
When submitting online, all documents should be scanned in colour and uploaded in PDF or JPEG format. Blurry or incomplete scans are a common reason for delays. Not sure about a specific document? We’ve covered the full requirements in detail in our UAE visa documentation guide.
How to Apply for a UAE Visa
The process is straightforward:
- Go to govr.ae and open the visa application section
- Select the visa type that matches your travel purpose
- Fill in the application form with your personal, passport, and travel details
- Upload scanned copies of your required documents
- Pay the visa fee online using a debit or credit card
- You’ll receive an application reference number by email
- Once approved, download and print your e-visa, this is what you present at immigration
Processing Time
| Visa Type | Standard Processing | Express Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa (30 or 60 days) | 1โ3 business days | 36 hours (Approx) |
| 30 days ( GCC Residents) | 1โ2 business days | 36 hours (Approx) |
| Multiple Entry Visa (30 or 60 days) | 1โ3 business days | 36 hours (Approx) |
| Transit Visa | 24โ48 hours | 36 hours (Approx) |
Our general recommendation: apply at least two weeks before your departure date. This gives you a comfortable window to correct any document issues or request a resubmission without the pressure of an approaching flight.
Visa Fees (2026)
Fees vary depending on where you apply and whether you opt for standard or express processing. The figures below are approximate:
| Visa Type | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|
| 30-day Tourist Visa | $205 |
| 60-day Tourist Visa | $325 |
| 30-days Multiple Entry Visa | $320 |
| 60-days Multiple Entry Visa | $390 |
| 30-days Visa for GCC Residents | $200 |
| 96-hour Transit Visa | $150 |
Always confirm the current fee at the time of application, figures are subject to revision.
Frequently Asked Question
Can Indians get a UAE visa on arrival without a US or UK visa?
No. The visa on arrival facility for Indians is only available to those holding a valid visa or residence permit from the US, UK, EU, Australia, or Canada. Without one of these, a UAE visa must be obtained in advance.
How long can Indians stay in the UAE on a tourist visa?
This depends on which visa you hold. A visa on arrival permits 14 days. A standard tourist visa is available in 30-day and 60-day variants. The multiple entry visa allows stays of up to 30 or 90 days per visit, with unlimited entries over a 12-month validity.
Can I extend my UAE tourist visa from inside the country?
Yes. Most tourist visas can be extended once for an additional 30 days. Extensions can be applied for through the GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) or via the ICP Smart Services app before your current visa expires.
Is travel insurance compulsory for a UAE visa?
It is not a mandatory requirement for the standard tourist visa application, but it is strongly recommended for all travellers. Some application channels may request proof of insurance.
What's the difference between a tourist visa and a visit visa?
A tourist visa is for leisure travel and does not require a UAE-based sponsor. A visit visa is typically used when the purpose of travel is to visit a family member or close contact who resides in the UAE , they act as your sponsor for the application.
Can I work in the UAE on a tourist or visit visa?
No. Tourist and visit visas do not carry any employment rights. Working on either of these visa types is a violation of UAE immigration law and can result in serious penalties including deportation and a ban from future entry.
My Indian passport has less than 6 months of validity remaining, can I still apply?
No. The UAE requires your passport to be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. If your passport is close to expiry, renew it before applying for a visa.
Is the UAE visa a physical sticker in my passport?
No. The UAE issues e-visas entirely electronically. You will receive your visa as a PDF document via email, which you print and present at the immigration counter. Nothing is physically stamped in your passport at the time of application.