UAE Visa for Indians

Do Indians need a visa for Dubai and the UAE?

For ordinary Indian passport holders, a UAE holiday is not generally visa-free. Arrange the appropriate tourist visa before departure unless you meet a specific visa-on-arrival exception. Dubai is part of the UAE, but the application channel and fee schedule depend on the issuing authority and visa category.

The UAE government portal says tourists can apply through the relevant official channel or use a UAE airline, licensed travel agency or hotel. The UAE's embassies do not issue ordinary tourist visas. Check that an agent is genuine before sending passport copies or paying.

When an Indian traveller may qualify on arrival

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Indian ordinary-passport holders with valid residence permits from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or Singapore can qualify for visa on arrival. Its notice adds those residence permits to the existing route involving a valid US, EU or UK visa, residence permit or US Green Card.

The current ICP service description for the special 60-day route repeats that distinction: a qualifying visa or residence document from the US, EU or UK, or a residence permit from the other six named countries. A tourist visa for Japan, Canada or Australia should not be treated as interchangeable with residence there. Each traveller must have qualifying evidence; do not assume a parent's eligibility automatically covers the whole family.

ICP's June 2026 announcement describes 14-day and 60-day categories. The 14-day category can be extended once, while the 60-day category is single-entry and not extendable. Confirm the exact document category, remaining validity and route with the issuing authority and airline before relying on arrival eligibility. ICP's earlier Indian-national notice specifies at least six months' validity for the qualifying visa and passport.

Ordinary tourist visas: choose the right duration

Dubai's GDRFA single-entry tourist service lists 30-day and 60-day stays, arranged through accredited tourism establishments. These are different from the special 14-day or 60-day qualifying-document route. Read the actual entry permit: the deadline to enter and the length of stay after entry are separate things.

A five-year multiple-entry tourist visa is another, separate product. The government portal lists its own financial, insurance and return-travel conditions. It is not an automatic five-year stay and should not be confused with a short family holiday visa.

Fees are route-specific, not one all-in price

GDRFA Dubai lists AED 200 for its 30-day single-entry tourist visa and AED 300 for 60 days, plus 5% VAT. Its service page says the total can vary. These figures are not an all-in quote from every airline or agent; ask for the complete charge, including any service fee, before paying.

For the separate qualifying-document category, ICP's June 2026 announcement lists AED 100 for 14 days and AED 250 for 60 days. The current ICP online 60-day service also lists an AED 100 smart-service fee in addition to the AED 250 issuance fee. Do not treat the announcement's issuance amount as the final online checkout total. Confirm the fee for the exact service and channel selected.

Documents and timing

The government portal says the passport must be valid for at least six months from entry. GDRFA's tourist service lists a personal photograph, passport copy, onward or return travel ticket and medical insurance valid in the UAE. The sponsoring airline, tourism office or hotel can require further documents for its route, including accommodation details. Use that provider's current checklist.

GDRFA lists an expected completion time of 48 hours for its service; ICP's special 60-day service lists two days. These are published service times, not a promise that every application will be approved before a particular flight. Leave time for corrections and additional checks. A payment receipt or application reference is not an issued visa.

For a parents' trip

Check the passport and every supporting visa or residence card well ahead. Keep the approved entry permit, accommodation contacts, return booking and insurance easy to find. If relying on visa on arrival, carry the exact qualifying documents and have the airline check them before departure.

Arrange airline mobility assistance separately. Choose medical insurance suitable for the traveller's age and health history, rather than assuming the cheapest policy provides the cover needed. Follow the stay actually granted and confirm any extension before its expiry; do not plan to pay an overstay fine as a substitute for permission.