Indian citizens need a tourist visa to enter Dubai and the UAE. The process involves applying through an airline, a licensed travel agent, or a hotel — the UAE’s embassies do not issue tourist visas.
As of 2026, several changes affect Indian travelers:
- UK visas and UK residence permits have been removed from visa-on-arrival eligibility (announced July 2026 — see below)
- Four new visa categories
- Stricter documentation requirements
- Elimination of the overstay grace period
This guide covers what Indian passport holders specifically need to know.
Do Indian Citizens Need a Tourist Visa for Dubai?
Yes, most Indian citizens need a tourist visa to enter the UAE. The UAE’s official government portal confirms that tourist visas are required for nationalities not eligible for visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry.
However, some Indian nationals qualify for the visa-on-arrival scheme and can skip the tourist visa application entirely.
Visa-on-Arrival Eligibility for Indians
Indian citizens holding an ordinary passport can obtain a visa on arrival if they hold any of the following valid documents:
- US visa or green card
- EU residence permit
- Visa, green card, or residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, or South Korea
Update (July 2026): The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has announced that Indian passport holders who hold only a UK visa or UK residence permit no longer qualify for the UAE visa-on-arrival scheme. The official rollout date has not been confirmed, but authorities are advising travelers to check their eligibility before flying.
If you hold only UK immigration documents, arrange a UAE tourist visa in advance rather than relying on visa on arrival — see our complete Dubai and UAE tourist visa guide. Travelers with US, EU, Canadian, Australian, Japanese, New Zealand, Singaporean, or South Korean visas, green cards, or residence permits are unaffected and still qualify for visa on arrival as before.
The visa on arrival costs AED 172.50 and is valid for 14 days. It can be extended once for another 14 days at a cost of AED 250.
All qualifying documents must be valid for at least six months beyond your UAE entry date.
A 60-day visa on arrival is also available for AED 422.50, though this option is non-extendable.
Who Cannot Apply?
Female travelers under 18 are not eligible for a tourist visa unless they are traveling with their parents, as per the UAE’s official government portal.
Children under 18 and their accompanying adults are eligible for a free visa during the summer period (15 July to 15 September each year).
Types of Dubai Tourist Visas for Indians
The UAE offers several tourist visa categories. Here are the options available to Indian passport holders:
| Visa Type | Duration of Stay | Entries |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term tourist visa | 30 days | Single entry |
| Short-term tourist visa | 30 days from first entry | Multiple entries |
| Long-term tourist visa | 90 days | Single entry |
| Long-term tourist visa | 90 days from first entry | Multiple entries |
| Visit visa | 60 days from date of issue | Single entry |
| 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa | 90 days per visit (extendable by 90 days) | Multiple entries |
All short-term and long-term tourist visas have a validity period of 60 days from the date of issuance.
For more on all UAE visa types — including the 5-year multiple-entry option and the four new categories introduced in 2025 — see our complete Dubai and UAE tourist visa guide.
How to Apply for a Dubai Tourist Visa from India
The UAE Consulate in India does not issue tourist visas on ordinary passports. Your visa must be arranged by a sponsor in the UAE — typically an airline, a licensed travel agent, or a hotel.
Required Documents
- Valid Indian passport with at least six months validity and at least two blank pages
- Color scan of your passport’s external cover page (new requirement in 2026)
- Color copy of your passport bio-data page
- 6×6 cm color photograph (minimum 600×600 pixels) with a white background — at least 80 percent of your face must be visible
- Confirmed return or onward flight ticket
- Hotel booking confirmation
- Financial proof — AED 5,000 for a two-month visa, AED 3,000 for a three-month visa
Minors under 18 may need additional documents such as birth certificates and photo IDs of parents.
Through Airlines
Several UAE-based airlines offer visa services for passengers flying with them. Requirements and prices vary by airline:
- Emirates — visa services
- Etihad Airways — visa services
- Flydubai — visa services
- Air Arabia — visa services
Check directly with your airline for the latest prices and conditions, as these change frequently. For a breakdown of all visa costs, see our Dubai and UAE visa fees guide.
Through Travel Agencies and Hotels
Licensed travel agents and hotels in Dubai can apply for a tourist visa on your behalf. You must book your ticket through them or maintain a hotel reservation with the specific property.
Verify the authenticity of any travel agency or hotel before providing payment or documents. You can check with the UAE Embassy in India for verification.
Through VFS Global
Indian tourists can also apply through VFS Global Visa Application Centers in India. This facility is available only for Indian passport holders flying with Emirates or Flydubai.
VFS Application Steps
- Download and complete the visa application form from the VFS Global website. Print the completed form.
- Pay the visa application fee at the center — accepted payment methods include cash, credit card, and demand draft.
- Submit the completed application in person or through your representative. No prior appointment is needed.
Bring the following to your VFS Global appointment:
- Completed application form
- Color photocopies of your passport (bio-data page, last page, and cover page)
- A recent passport-size photograph
- Confirmed airline ticket
- Supporting documents per your eligibility criteria
Your visa will typically be delivered within 2-3 working days to the email address on your application. Check the VFS Global website for center locations and working hours across India.
To track your application status, see our guide on how to check your visa status on the UAE’s ICP website.
Visa Extension and Overstay Rules
Tourist visas can be extended for 30 days at a time, up to a maximum total stay of 120 days at AED 600 (+5% VAT) per extension. For the full step-by-step process, read our UAE visa extension guide for 2026.
As of April 2026, the overstay grace period for tourist and visit visa holders has been eliminated — fines of AED 50 per day begin immediately after your visa expires, and the UAE now links overstay records to future visa approvals. For full details, see our UAE overstay fines guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Indians get a visa on arrival in Dubai?
Yes, if you hold a valid visa, green card, or residence permit from the US, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, or South Korea. UK visas and UK residence permits no longer qualify as of the July 2026 ICP update, so UK document holders must arrange a UAE visa in advance.
The visa on arrival costs AED 172.50 and is valid for 14 days, extendable once for AED 250.
How long does it take to get a Dubai tourist visa from India?
Processing typically takes 2-3 working days through VFS Global or an airline. Express processing within 48 hours may be available at an additional cost.
What happens if I overstay my Dubai tourist visa?
As of April 2026, there is no grace period. You will be fined AED 50 per day from the first day after your visa expires, plus you will need an out pass (AED 200-300) to exit.
Read our overstay fines guide for details.
Can I extend my Dubai tourist visa?
Yes, tourist visas can be extended for 30 days at a time, up to a total stay of 120 days, at AED 600 (+5% VAT) per extension. See our visa extension guide for the full process.
How much does a Dubai tourist visa cost for Indians?
Costs vary by channel — airlines, VFS Global, and travel agents each have different pricing. ICP raised all visa fees by AED 100 in 2025.
See our Dubai visa fees guide for the latest prices.
Sources
- UAE Government — Tourist Visa
- ICP — Four New Visit Visa Categories
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visa on Arrival Expansion for Indians
- GDRFA — Visa on Arrival for Indian Citizens
- GDRFA — Single-Entry Tourist Visa
- ICP — Visa Issuance Services
- UAE Government — Visa Fees and Fines
- VFS Global — UAE Visa (India)
- Emirates — UAE Visa Information
- UAE Government — Visa on Arrival
- Business Standard — UAE Changes Visa Rules for Indians: Who Can Still Get Visa-on-Arrival (July 2026)
- The Tribune (ANI) — UAE Visa-on-Arrival Policy for Indians Changed: Who Still Qualifies
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
