Dubai Visa For Indians

Yes, a Dubai visa for Indians is compulsory before entering the UAE. Indian passport holders must apply for a valid visa unless they hold a specific visa or permit.. The type of Dubai travel visa depends on the purpose of travel - tourism, business, or transit.

Applying for a Dubai visa in advance ensures a smooth travel experience. You can also transit from the international transit areas of the Dubai airport if you have a valid Dubai travel visa.

Indian travellers can easily apply for an e-Visa for Dubai through authorised platforms or travel agencies. This digital option makes the process quick and easier.

To apply for a Dubai visa online, applicants need a valid passport, a photo, and basic travel details.
The approved e-Visa is sent directly to your email within a few days.

You can submit your applications for e-Visa via the UAE eVisa Portal or other online portals recognised by the Dubai visa authorities, such as VFS Global, Emirates, or DVPC.

Yes, a Dubai visa on arrival for Indians is available under specific conditions, allowing a stay of up to 14 days, which can be extended once. The facility applies only to certain categories of travellers who meet the eligibility rules.

Indian passport holders with a valid US visa or Green Card for six months qualify for a Dubai Indian visa on arrival. Those with a UK residence permit or e-Visa also qualify. Holders of EU residence permits or visas are eligible as well. Residence permits from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Korea, or Singapore also qualify if valid for six months.

The visa-on-arrival facility for Dubai is aimed at strengthening the ties between Dubai and India. Other Indian travellers must apply for a regular Dubai visa in advance.

Indian passport holders cannot apply for a Dubai visa directly at the UAE Embassy or Consulate. The UAE Embassy in India does not issue visit, tourist, or transit visas. Instead, you may apply for a Dubai visa online through UAE-based airlines (like Emirates, Etihad, Fly Dubai, Air Arabia), licensed travel agencies, hotels in Dubai, or approved visa service centres such as VFS Global.

The embassy only handles official, diplomatic, and special entry permits, not regular tourist or work visas.

Also Read - United Arab Emirates Visa Requirements for Indians

Types of Dubai Visas Based on Purpose of Travel

Study Visa

As the name suggests, a study visa is meant to enable a non-UAE citizen to study or train in Dubai. If you are going to Dubai for further education or to receive any vocational training, a UAE-based university can sponsor the education and the visa. While this visa is for students, those with exceptional academic achievements may later qualify for the Dubai golden visa under the outstanding students category.

Service Visa

A service visa allows people to visit the United Arab Emirates to carry out commercial activities in Dubai or offer their professional services to a business. These people may be sales managers, account auditors, etc., who need to visit the city for only work-related purposes for a fixed period of time.

Visit Visa

If you have family or relatives based out of Dubai and would like to visit them, a visit visa is ideal for this purpose, along with an international travel insurance plan. The family member you are visiting should have UAE citizenship since you cannot apply for your UAE visit visa. Alternatively, your UAE-based hotel, airline, or travel agency can apply for this visa.

Transit Visa

A transit visa will help if you are on a flight and you have a layover at the Dubai International Airport. This type of visa is useful if you have to board a connecting flight, since it is necessary to have a visa even if you are only at the airport for a limited number of hours and are not entering the city.

Work Permit

A work permit is issued by the Labour Ministry in Dubai and is granted to those seeking employment. If you are joining a company in Dubai, then your firm has to apply for the permit, and you should be at least 18 years of age and below 60 years of age to be eligible for the same.

Tourist Visa

You need a Dubai tourist visa even if you are going there for a holiday. While the UAE Embassy is not involved in issuing this type of visa, the hotel, airline or travel agency you are associated with will have to apply for it. As an Indian tourist, you can have a short-term or long-term tourist visa.

Medical Permit

If you are sick and want to visit Dubai for medical treatment, you must have a medical treatment permit to be treated in a Dubai hospital. Hence, foreign nationals can access medical facilities in Dubai. Since some treatments can be long-term, the permit enables single and multiple entries.

Also Read - What Is UAE Golden Visa, And Who Is Eligible To Apply?

Dubai Visa Categories, Validity, and Extension Details

With different types of Dubai visas available, you can select the one that best suits your reason for travelling to the city. Let’s take a look at the different Dubai visas and permits available:

Note: Dubai visa fees for Indian nationals may increase or decrease at any time based on the decision of the visa-issuing authorities. Besides, the price of a visa extension is subject to fluctuating exchange rates.

Now that you know the various types of Dubai visas and the fees, let us tell you how to apply for a Dubai tourist visa or any other type of visa. There are two ways to apply for a Dubai visa:

• Through the VFS Global website
• Through the Emirates Website

Steps to Apply for Dubai Visa for Indians via VFS Global Portal

• Navigate to the VFS Global official website.
• Begin by determining the type of visa you require. Click on Identify the Visa type and choose the right visa for your trip.
• Next, click on “Begin your application”. Here, you must download the visa application form from the link provided and fill it out with all the requested information.
• Take a printout of the form and preserve it.
• The next step is to gather all the necessary documents, such as your passport, financial proof, etc.
• Visit the VAC. (There is no need to book an appointment.)
• Submit all the documents to the application centre and pay the fees based on the visa type.
• Collect the payment receipt/acknowledgement slip.
• Track your visa application to find out at what stage it is. This can be done using the reference number on the acknowledgement slip.
• After your verification is complete, the visa will be sent to you at your registered email address.

Note: The applicant or their representative can submit the Dubai visa application.

Steps to Apply for Dubai Visa for Indians via the Emirates Website

• Go to the Emirates website. Book your flight tickets to Dubai from the portal.
• Once you receive the PNR, click ‘Retrieve Your Booking’ under the ‘Manage’ tab.
• Click on the ‘Apply for a UAE Visa’ option under the ‘Additional Services’ tab.
• Read all the instructions carefully and click on the ‘Continue to visa application’ button. Fill out the visa application form.
• Provide all the document proofs as necessary.
• Pay the visa application fee using the payment options available.
• Your visa will be issued once the verification is completed. It may take a few days for the visa to arrive.

All Indians who want to visit Dubai must apply for a Dubai visa for Indians before their departure from India. However, holders of US, UK or EU visas or residence permits can obtain a visa-on-arrival and need not apply for a pre-approved visa from India.

No matter what the purpose of your visit is, all Indian passport holders require a pre-approved Dubai visa. Adults, minors, students, businessmen, job-seekers, people seeking medical treatment in Dubai and all others mandatorily require a Dubai travel visa, whether their visit is short-term or long-term.

The application for a Dubai visa must be made a few days in advance so you may receive the visa before your departure date. A Dubai visa processing time takes between a few hours and a few days, depending on the type of visa and the application service you choose.

A normal visa may be processed in 3-4 working days, whereas an express visa application may be processed in approximately 36 hours. While submitting a visa application, one must consider
Saturday, Sunday and UAE holidays and make an application accordingly. It is also advisable to take note of the timings to submit the applications through VFS Global, which is between 9.30 AM to 5.30 PM.

Also Read - How Indians Can Apply for a Freelance Visa in Dubai?

Here is the list of documents you will need if you are applying for a Dubai visa:

• Original passport with a validity of 6 months from the date of travel.
• Coloured copy of the passport’s first two pages, last two pages and observation page, if any.
• Recent passport-size colour photograph.
• The correctly and duly filled visa application form.
• Proof of investment or income of at least US $8000 (income tax documents are accepted).
• Proof of residency visa (if your country of permanent residency is not the same as your nationality).
• Proof of sponsorship by a Dubai-based hotel, airline or tour agency.
• Confirmed flight and hotel bookings with the airline, hotel or agency that will apply for your visa.
• Female travellers who are travelling alone must also submit an NOC from their parents or husband and a photo ID of their parents and husband.
• Invitation letter, passport copy and Dubai residence visa of the immediate family member residing in the UAE.

Read More - Dubai Visa Documents

If you want to check your eligibility for a Dubai visa, you should fulfil these conditions as an Indian national.

• Be clear of any criminal record or background, or legal cases.
• Have a valid Indian passport with at least 2 blank pages and a validity of 6 months.
• Show valid proof of sufficient funds that can cover your expenses during the trip.
• Have confirmed return journey flight tickets to India/your home country.

• Submitting an invalid passport or a passport with insufficient validity.
• Providing an old photograph.
• Insufficient funds in the bank account.
• Not submitting a return ticket for your journey to and from Dubai.
• Having a history of legal cases or a criminal record.
• Submitting an incomplete application form or providing inaccurate details.
• Solo women travellers’ visas may be rejected if they do not submit an NOC from their parents or husband.
• If you previously applied for a Dubai visa and did not travel, your visa may be rejected unless you cancel the previous visa.
• Visa applications of unskilled professionals may be rejected.
• Submitting an application form with errors in the name, spelling, etc.

Now that the COVID-19 pandemic has passed, there are no mandatory requirements with respect to COVID-19 vaccination or other documents for entering Dubai. However, it is advisable to exercise general preventive measures to stay healthy and safe on your trip to Dubai.

Here are some of the things to follow:

• Stay hydrated and drink sufficient water, as the hot climate can lead to dehydration.
• One must wear sunscreen and use sunglasses outside.
• Avoid drinking and eating from unsafe or unhygienic places to avoid any kind of stomach problems.
• Eat light and do not overindulge in food, as it may lead to an upset stomach or gut issues.
• Drink only packaged water and avoid drinking water from taps and such sources to avoid waterborne infections.

Also Read - Places to Visit in Dubai

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Also Read - Travel Insurance UAE.