Quick facts
Visa needed?
Yes
Unless VoA-eligible (see below)
30-day visa cost
₹7,500–9,500
Incl. service fees · 60-day from ₹14,700
Processing time
3–4 days
Express: 24–36 hours
Visa on arrival
14 days
AED 100 · qualifying permit holders only
Passport validity
6 months
From date of entry
Hotel booking
Mandatory
Even if staying with family
Visa on arrival — who qualifies in 2026
Indian passport holders with a valid visa, residence permit, or Green Card from:
✓ Still accepted
- 🇺🇸 United States (visa or Green Card)
- 🇪🇺 EU member states
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- 🇨🇦 Canada
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand
- 🇰🇷 South Korea
- 🇸🇬 Singapore
✗ No longer accepted (Jul 2026)
- 🇬🇧 UK visas
- 🇬🇧 UK residence permits
- If UK documents are all you hold, apply for a tourist visa before flying.
VoA: 14 days for AED 100, extendable once for 14 more days (AED 250). Qualifying document must have 6+ months validity.
Your application checklist
Core documents
✓
Passport valid 6+ months from entry date
Scan the first and last pages clearly — blurry uploads are a top rejection reason.
✓
Photos: white background, matt finish
4.3cm × 5.5cm specification. Photo spec failures are one of the most common rejection causes.
✓
Confirmed return flight ticket
You cannot apply without booked flights — the application requires actual travel dates and ticket details.
✓
Confirmed hotel booking — no exceptions
Mandatory under current UAE rules even if staying with relatives in Dubai. Book a refundable hotel if needed.
✓
Bank statements as proof of funds
May be requested — have recent statements ready showing you can support your stay.
Before you fly
✓
Print or save your approved eVisa
There's no visa sticker — carry the PDF copy. Airlines check it at check-in in India.
✓
Verify every detail on the approved visa
Name spelling, passport number, dates. Report any error immediately — a mismatch means denied boarding.
✓
Travel insurance
Not mandatory, but Dubai healthcare is world-class and priced like it. One hospital visit can cost more than your whole trip.
✓
Money for the UAE
Indian cards add 3–5% forex mark-up plus GST on every dirham transaction. A multi-currency card avoids both.
On arrival & during your stay
✓
Entry validity vs stay validity — know both
Your visa must be used to ENTER within 58 days of issue. Your permitted STAY (30 or 60 days) starts from the day you land.
✓
Need longer? Extend before expiry
Tourist stays can be extended (30 days at a time, fees apply) — but only BEFORE your current stay expires. Overstay fines accrue daily.
How to apply — step by step
01
Choose your visa type
30-day tourist, 60-day visit, or 96-hour transit. Single or multiple entry. Match it to your actual itinerary — applying for the wrong type triggers rejection.
02
Apply through an authorised channel
UAE embassies don't issue tourist visas directly to Indians. Apply via UAE-based airlines (Emirates, Etihad, Air India Express partners), major hotels, or authorised agents. Airline channels are typically the most reliable.
03
Upload documents & pay
Passport scans, photos, flight and hotel confirmations. ~₹7,500–9,500 for a 30-day visa including service fees. Double-check photo specs before submitting.
04
Receive your eVisa in 3–4 working days
Delivered by email as a PDF — no sticker, no embassy visit. Express processing (24–36 hours) available for an extra fee. Track status via the ICP portal with your reference number.
Mistakes that catch Indian travellers out
Relying on a UK visa for visa on arrival. This stopped working in July 2026. Thousands of India–UK–Dubai frequent flyers are getting caught at check-in. If UK documents are all you hold, get a tourist visa first.
"I'm staying with my brother in Dubai." Doesn't matter — a confirmed hotel booking is mandatory for the application. Book refundable, apply, adjust later.
Confusing entry validity with stay length. A "60-day visa" means 60 days of stay — but you must enter within 58 days of issue. Book your visa close to your travel dates, not months ahead.
Blurry documents and wrong photo specs. The most preventable rejection reason. White background, matt finish, sharp scans of both passport pages.
Overstay fines add up daily. UAE overstay penalties accrue per day and must be cleared before you can leave. Extend before expiry or leave on time.
Smart traveller essentials
Get your UAE visa processed reliably
A trusted visa service handles document checks and submission — useful for first-time applicants or tight timelines.
Apply for UAE visa →
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you
Travel insurance for the UAE
Dubai's private hospitals are excellent — and expensive. Cover for medical emergencies, delays, and baggage costs little against the risk.
Compare travel insurance →
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you
Spend in dirhams at the real rate
Indian cards typically add 3–5% forex mark-up plus GST abroad. A multi-currency card converts INR to AED at the mid-market rate.
Get a Wise card →
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you
Official sources
This checklist is compiled from
- → UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)
- → UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs — visa on arrival announcements
- → GDRFA Dubai — residency & foreign affairs
- → u.ae — Official UAE government visa portal
✓ Last verified: July 2026 · The VoA rules changed this month — always confirm current eligibility on ICP before travel