This article has been reviewed by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.
Updated April 2024
The UAE provides multiple options when it comes to obtaining a visa. Travellers from India looking to enter the United Arab Emirates for different purposes can now choose from the wide range of available visas and apply for a visa hassle-free. The largely online visa application is designed to ease the travel process.
Keep reading this article by Wego to know more about the available types of UAE visas, ranging from tourist visas, business visas, remote work visas and student visas, and the prices of the visas in the UAE.
Table of Contents
Do Indians need visa to visit Dubai?
Yes, Indians need pre-arranged visa before arriving in Dubai or the UAE, as they are not eligible for visa on arrival.
They can apply for a visa via the following:
- the ICP website or ICP app (Google Play and App Store)
- specifically for Dubai visa, the GDRFA’s website or the Dubai Now app (Google Play and App Store)
- airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, FlyDubai, and Air Arabia.
- hotel or travel partners with whom you have booked a trip. They can apply for a Service Visa (14 days), Tourist Visa (30 days) or Visit Visa (up to 90 days) on your behalf
- UAE residents (friends or relatives) can apply as sponsors on your behalf (subject to guidelines)
UAE visa for Indians general requirements.
To apply for the pre-arranged UAE visa from India, you’ll require the following documents:
- a passport, valid for at least six months,
- passport-size photos
- a copy of your completed and signed visa application form.
- details about your itinerary.
- onward and return the confirmed ticket.
- invitation letter, if any, from the host company in the UAE
- for female applicants and students above 18 years, travelling alone will require NOC from parents or husband and photo ID of parents or husband. Coloured copy of the host passport or residence visa
- applicable visa fees in cash, DD or credit card.
- a cover letter with all the required details about your itinerary.
- statement from your bank for the last six months to prove you have enough finances to fund your visit.
- address proof.
Please consult with your nearest UAE embassy regarding the documents required for the different visas.
UAE Visas for Indians with USA Visa
According to the terms of UAE visa for holders of special visas, an Indian person with a USA visa, USA green card, UK residency, or Europe residency with a validity of at least 6 months is eligible for a visa on arrival.
This visa allows a stay period of 14 days from getting your issuance request approved, with the option of an extension for another 14 days.
Fees are applicable as below.
- issue fees: AED 100
- e-Service fees: AED 28
- ICP fees: AED 22
- smart services fees: AED 100
UAE visa types for Indians in 2024
The following is a list of visas available in the United Arab Emirates for Indian citizens.
Dubai & UAE tourist visa
A tourist visa is required to enter the UAE if the traveller is not from the 87 countries available for the visa-on-arrival scheme. In principle, the tourist visa is obtainable by eligible tourists worldwide. However, as per the UAE’s official government portal, female travellers under 18 are not eligible to apply for this type of visa unless they travel with their parents.
The tourist visa is valid for 60 days. The UAE also offers a 5-year visa that permits tourists multiple entries into the country and allows them to stay for up to 180 days per year.
Application process
The UAE tourist visa can be applied online or through the approved airlines, hotels, travel agencies or tour operators.
Applicants will simply need to provide the required information and documents and pay the visa fee online without sending documents by email or visiting the office in person. Once the online visa application is approved, they will receive an approved e-visa copy via email.
For more details, visit our dedicated article below.
Fees
The price for obtaining the UAE tourist visa depends on the individual airlines and is subject to change. It’s best to consult individual airlines for the latest fees and updates.
But to give you an idea, Emirates Airlines currently charges USD 90 (INR 7,370) for a short-term single-entry visa and USD 177 (INR 14,495) for a long-term single-entry tourist visa. Etihad currently charges AED 450 (INR 10,033) for a short-term single-entry visa and AED 750 (INR 16,721) for a long-term single-entry tourist visa.
Moreover, a customer care agent at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) confirmed that the prices for all types of UAE and Dubai visas have now increased by AED 100. For example, the fee for the one-month visit visa issued by the ICA has gone up from AED 270 to AED 370. There are no price changes in the visit visas issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai.
To obtain an official price list, we recommend contacting Amer Service at 800 5111 or visiting the amer.ae website.
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Dubai & UAE multi-entry visa
As part of the UAE’s new visa scheme, a new Multi-entry tourist visa has been introduced, which can now be issued for all nationalities, aiming to facilitate the process for tourists and visitors. The 5-year visa enables tourists to enter multiple times on self-sponsorship and remain in the country for 90 days on each visit, which can be extended for another 90 days.
Dubai’s tourism body is working with authorities to roll out the five-year multiple-entry tourist visa on a much bigger scale to attract more tourists. Currently, the visa is being rolled out softly. Initiatives are being taken to roll out more visas and make applications accessible via the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing digital platform.
Application process
Tourists who wish to apply for the UAE five-year multiple-entry visa from immigration departments in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Al Ain and the Al Dhafra (Western region) can do so on the ICA website. Please note that the GDRFA will authorize Dubai’s five-year multiple-entry tourist visas.
- upload the required application information such as your name, service beneficiary details, address inside the UAE, and address outside the UAE.
- attach your passport copy, photograph, medical insurance, bank statement, and other required documents.
- review your application.
- pay the required application fees.
- visa applications will be processed online, and you will receive your five-year multiple-entry tourist visa via your registered email.
For more details, visit our dedicated article below.
Fees
The fee breakdown for the 5-year UAE multi-entry visa until now was as follows. However, with the recent price hike, these prices are expected to have increased by AED 100 (INR 2,229) each.
- request fee: AED 100
- issue fee: AED 500
- security deposit: AED 3,025
- e-service fee: AED 28
- ICP fee: AED 22
UAE business visa
Travellers looking to enter the United Arab Emirates to promote, establish, or negotiate business-related activities or to establish contact for future business relations are allowed to travel on a Business visa. However, the Business visa should not be confused with the Employment visa, which is to be applied by those entering the country to work as employees or on a contract basis, drawing a regular salary.
The visa is part of the Golden Visa system, allowing entrepreneurs to enter the country for 6 months with a multiple-entry visa.
Application
To obtain the business visa, applicants must be:
- able to substantiate your experience as an entrepreneur
- have been a majority shareholder of a start-up or a member of its senior leadership
- willing to relocate to the UAE and legally establish a business in one of the seven emirates
- have a business idea or a business plan that you wish to bring to life in the UAE.
To apply for a business visa, applicants must have their nominations approved by an incubator supported by the UAE government (currently, AREA2071 in Dubai and HUB71 in Abu Dhabi). Once their nomination has been approved, they will be invited to apply for the visa through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security.
Please note that if the applicant’s nomination is successful, they will receive a link to upload the required documents and complete their application for the visa. They must apply again after 90 days if their nomination is not approved.
For more details, visit our dedicated article below.
Fees
According to some sources, the business visa fee ranged from AED 311 (INR 6,934) to AED 772 (INR 17,214), until now, depending on the type of business visa. However, with the price hike, these prices too are expected to have increased by AED 100 (INR 2,229)
Please make sure to consult your embassy to know details regarding the price of the UAE business visa.
Remote work visa
The remote work visa allows individuals to live in the UAE and continue to work for their existing employer outside the UAE. Remote work visas are valid for 1 year and are renewable upon re-application.
Remote workers may enter Dubai under self-sponsorship and are eligible for zero income tax.
Application
After establishing their eligibility, applicants can simply apply online for the visa. They will be contacted by the relevant authorities with further instructions concerning the application.
For more details, visit our dedicated article below.
Fees
The one-year remote work visa fee in UAE is AED 1,054 (INR 23,502) per applicant. With the price hike, this price is expected to have increased by AED 100.
However, remember that you must also obtain an insurance policy and be liable for processing and Emirates ID fees. The total cost of obtaining the VWP would be approximately AED 2,344 (INR 52,267).
UAE student visa
The student visas are valid for one year from the date of issuance and are renewable for a similar period upon presenting official proof of continuing study in the UAE. It is issued to expatriate students over 18 years and in the UAE.
Application
A higher education institution or a local relative must sponsor UAE student visas. The applicant’s college or university will apply for their UAE student visa at the GDRFA office of the relevant emirate in which they will live.
If their application is approved, the GDRFA will affix a Residence Visa to their passport. They will receive an Emirates ID, valid for the same duration as the visa. An entry permit can be applied through one of the online or offline portals.
Fees
Initially, the visa cost was AED 100 (INR 2,229) for first-time issuing and renewal until now. However, with the price hike, this price is expected to increase by AED 100.
This amount is usually paid at the time of registration.
