UAE Visa Cost & Fees for Indians 2026: Full Price Breakdown

How Much Does a UAE Visa Cost for Indians in 2026? (Quick Answer)

The UAE sets tourist visa fees through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai. Every provider — airline, travel agent, hotel, or online platform — pays the same fixed government fee and then adds its own service charge on top. That is why quotes for what looks like the same visa can vary by hundreds of rupees.

The GDRFA base fee for a 30-day single-entry tourist visa is AED 252. After 5% UAE VAT is added, the all-in government cost is approximately AED 265 — around $72 or ₹6,100. For a 60-day single-entry visa, the government fee is AED 352, rising to roughly AED 370 with VAT — around $101 or ₹8,500. When an airline or agent adds its service charge, total prices typically range from AED 400 to AED 900 depending on duration and provider.

Here are the government all-in costs (fee plus VAT) for the most common visa types in 2026:

• 30-day single entry — AED 265 (approximately $72 or ₹6,100)
• 60-day single entry — AED 370 (approximately $101 or ₹8,500)
• 30-day multiple entry — AED 315 (approximately $86 or ₹7,200)
• 60-day multiple entry — AED 525 (approximately $143 or ₹12,100)
• 14-day visa on arrival for eligible Indians — AED 100 (approximately $27 or ₹2,300)

INR figures above are based on an indicative rate of ₹23 per AED, which reflects the 2025 annual average. The AED–INR rate moves with global markets, so use a live currency converter when finalising your travel budget. USD figures are calculated against the fixed AED–USD peg of 3.6725.

UAE Tourist Visa Fees by Duration (30, 60 days)

30-Day Single-Entry Tourist Visa

The 30-day single-entry visa is the most common choice for Indian travellers visiting Dubai or Abu Dhabi on a standard holiday. The GDRFA-published base fee is AED 252. Adding the 5% UAE VAT brings the official government total to AED 264.60 — widely rounded and quoted as AED 265. This is confirmed on the official GDRFA Dubai service pages and does not vary based on nationality.

When applying through an airline or a licensed travel agent, a service charge is layered on top. Depending on the provider, the total all-in price typically lands between AED 400 and AED 600 — roughly ₹9,200 to ₹13,800. Some providers include a basic travel insurance policy within that price; others quote it separately. Standard processing runs three to five business days. An express option cutting processing to 24 hours is available from most providers for an additional fee of around AED 100–150.

60-Day Single-Entry Tourist Visa

The 60-day visa suits longer holidays, extended family visits, and business trips where multiple appointments or events are spread across several weeks. The GDRFA base fee is AED 352, rising to approximately AED 370 after VAT. With a typical agency service charge, the all-in cost usually falls between AED 600 and AED 900 — approximately ₹13,800 to ₹20,700.

Processing timelines are the same as the 30-day visa. The per-day cost of the 60-day visa works out lower than two back-to-back 30-day visas, making it the more cost-efficient option for stays beyond a month.

Multiple-Entry and Long-Stay Visa Costs

30-Day and 60-Day Multiple-Entry Visas

Multiple-entry tourist visas allow holders to exit and re-enter the UAE any number of times within the visa's validity period, without submitting a new application for each return trip. The GDRFA charges AED 300 for the 30-day multiple-entry tourist visa; after 5% VAT the total is AED 315 (approximately $86 or ₹7,200). The 60-day multiple-entry version carries a government fee of AED 500, coming to AED 525 with VAT (approximately $143 or ₹12,100).

The premium over single-entry is relatively modest — AED 50 for the 30-day version and AED 155 for the 60-day version. For business travellers or those with day trips planned to Oman, Bahrain, or Qatar during their UAE stay, the multiple-entry variant removes any worry about being locked out of re-entry.

5-Year Multiple-Entry Visa

The UAE launched a 5-year multiple-entry visit visa as part of its long-term tourism push, and Indian nationals can now apply for it without needing a UAE-based sponsor. The visa permits unlimited entries over five years, with a maximum continuous stay of 90 days per visit and an annual cap of 180 days in total.

When applying from outside the UAE, the total amount payable is approximately AED 4,814. This figure includes a fully refundable security deposit of AED 3,000 that is returned when the visa is cancelled or naturally expires. The actual non-refundable cost — covering the government fee and the processing service charge — works out to approximately AED 1,814 (around $494 or ₹41,700). For Indian travellers who visit Dubai two or more times a year, this can be more economical than buying a fresh 60-day visa before each trip.

What the Price Includes — Government Fee, VAT and Service Charges

Every UAE tourist visa price is built from three distinct layers, and not all providers show them separately in their quotes.

• Government fee — the fixed GDRFA tariff for each visa category. AED 252 for 30-day single entry; AED 352 for 60-day single entry; AED 300 for 30-day multiple entry; AED 500 for 60-day multiple entry. This number is identical regardless of which channel you use.
• 5% UAE VAT — applied on top of all government service fees without exception. This adds AED 12.60 to the 30-day single-entry fee and AED 17.60 to the 60-day version.
• Service charge — the fee that the airline, agent, or platform adds for document review, application submission, and coordination with the UAE authority. This is the variable element. Airlines with UAE operations typically add AED 50–150; India-based travel agents commonly add AED 150–350 or more.

For applications processed when the applicant is already inside the UAE — for an extension or status change — two small surcharges apply: a Knowledge Dirham of AED 10 and an Innovation Dirham of AED 10. These do not apply to fresh applications submitted from India.

Travel insurance is not a statutory requirement for a UAE tourist visa, but many agents include a basic policy within their bundled price. If the quote you receive does not include insurance, budgeting separately for it is worthwhile — private healthcare costs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are among the highest in the region.

Cheapest Ways to Get a UAE Visa from India

Apply Through Official UAE Digital Channels

The GDRFA Smart Services application and the ICA (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) portal offer the lowest total cost because no intermediary service fee is layered on. The practical limitation is that a UAE-based sponsor — a licensed hotel, tour operator, or UAE resident — typically needs to initiate the application from the UAE side. Independent travellers without a UAE contact find it difficult to use this route directly from India.

Apply Through Your UAE-Bound Airline

Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, and FlyDubai all offer visa services to passengers holding bookings on their flights. Their service charges tend to be lower than India-based agents — generally in the AED 50–120 range above the government fee. Since the visa is tied to a confirmed booking, these airlines are motivated to process applications correctly and on time. Starting the application at least seven working days before departure is recommended.

Apply Through a Licensed Travel Agent in India

India-based visa agents add a service charge that commonly ranges from ₹500 to ₹3,500 per application over and above the government fee equivalent. Higher-end packages typically include document checking, photograph formatting, and proactive follow-up. This is a reasonable option for travellers who prefer not to manage the process themselves, but it is the most expensive route when comparing like-for-like with airline portals.

Before using any agent, verify that they hold authorisation from a UAE-registered entity that can directly submit to GDRFA or ICA. Unlicensed operators simply outsource to a licensed intermediary and charge an additional margin for the convenience.

Hidden Costs to Budget For

The visa fee is only part of the pre-departure spend. Several additional costs regularly catch first-time Dubai visitors off guard.

• Proof of funds at the border — UAE immigration officers can ask arriving passengers to demonstrate they hold at least AED 3,000 (approximately ₹69,000) per person in liquid funds. A recent bank statement or a card with a sufficient limit is adequate.
• Confirmed hotel or accommodation booking — a reservation confirmation may be requested at immigration. It does not need to be pre-paid, but having the printout or app screenshot is advisable.
• Return or onward ticket — a confirmed outbound booking is a standard entry requirement. Arriving without one is a common reason for extended questioning at the airport.
• Travel insurance — not legally required, but strongly recommended given healthcare costs in the UAE. A basic 30-day single-trip policy starts from around AED 50–150 (approximately ₹1,150–3,450), depending on age and coverage.
• Express processing — if the standard three-to-five-day timeline does not suit your schedule, urgent processing adds approximately AED 100–150 to the total cost.
• Visa extension — the 30-day tourist visa can typically be extended up to twice, and the 60-day visa up to once, with each extension adding 30 days. Per the GDRFA schedule, an extension within the UAE costs approximately AED 1,200 per 30-day period, inclusive of all government fees and in-country processing charges. Extensions must be arranged before the current visa expires.

Visa on Arrival — Who Gets It Free

Indian passport holders are not automatically visa-free for the UAE, but a specific group can obtain a 14-day visa at the airport on arrival. This is not a free visa — the fee is AED 100 (approximately $27 or ₹2,300). It is, however, considerably cheaper and faster than pre-arranging a standard tourist visa, and no advance application is needed.

To qualify, the Indian passport must carry at least six months of remaining validity, and the traveller must hold at least one of the following documents — also valid for at least six months:

• A valid US visa of any category, or a US Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
• A valid UK residence permit or UK visa
• A valid residence permit issued by any EU member state

The 14-day on-arrival stay can be extended once for a further 14 days at a cost of AED 250 (approximately $68 or ₹5,750), applied through the UAE immigration system before the initial 14 days expire. The UAE Embassy confirms this AED 100 fee and the one-time extension option on its official consular pages.

In October 2025, the UAE issued updated guidance reaffirming these eligibility conditions and directing airlines to verify qualifying documents at the point of boarding. Indian nationals who do not hold one of the qualifying documents are not eligible for this facility and will need a pre-approved e-visa. For a full breakdown of on-arrival eligibility criteria and the airport process, the Visarun blog carries a dedicated visa-on-arrival guide for Indian travellers.

Refunds, Cancellations and Overstay Fines

Refund and Cancellation Policy

UAE visa refund eligibility turns on the stage at which the cancellation is made. Government and immigration fees submitted to GDRFA or ICA are generally non-refundable once the application enters the UAE authority's system — this holds whether the visa is approved, rejected, or ultimately unused. Service fees charged by agents or platforms vary: some providers offer a full refund of their service component if you cancel before the application is submitted to the authority; others apply a flat cancellation fee regardless of timing.

A rejected visa does not entitle the applicant to a fee refund. The payment covers the review process, not the outcome. Reviewing the specific cancellation and refund terms of your chosen provider before submitting payment can avoid disputes later.

Overstay Fines

From 2025, the UAE has applied a unified daily overstay fine of AED 50 across all visa categories — tourist, visit, and residence. The fine begins accruing from the day after the visa expires. A one-week overstay therefore accumulates AED 350 (approximately ₹8,050); a 30-day overstay reaches AED 1,500 (approximately ₹34,500), before any additional administrative or airport processing charges are added.

Accumulated fines are settled at the time of departure, and unresolved overstays can result in future entry bans. Tracking the visa expiry date and arranging an extension, status change, or departure before that date avoids what can become a significant and avoidable cost.

Recent Changes (2025-2026 Updates)

Several policy and fee developments are relevant to Indians planning UAE travel in 2026.

• Unified overstay fine — the daily penalty was standardised at AED 50 for all visa categories from 2025, replacing the previous system where residence and tourist visas attracted different rates. The calculation is now straightforward regardless of visa type.
• VoA eligibility restated — on 29 October 2025, UAE authorities issued updated guidance clarifying that only Indian nationals holding a valid US visa or green card, or a valid UK or EU residency, qualify for the AED 100 on-arrival facility. Airlines were directed to tighten boarding checks, and ineligible passengers may now be refused boarding before departure.
• Mandatory health insurance extended — from 1 January 2025, health insurance became mandatory for private-sector employees and domestic workers across all seven emirates. This does not affect tourist or short-stay visit visa holders, who remain outside the mandatory insurance framework, though travel insurance continues to be recommended.
• 5-year multiple-entry visa now available to Indians — the long-term tourist visa can now be obtained without a UAE-based sponsor, with a net non-refundable cost of approximately AED 1,814 after the refundable AED 3,000 deposit is accounted for.
• 2024 amnesty period closed — a visa amnesty programme that ran from September to December 2024 allowed eligible overstayers to exit without paying accumulated fines. No amnesty is currently active as of mid-2026. Future programmes are announced through official GDRFA and ICP channels.

Fee schedules and entry requirements may change. Checking the current tariff on the official GDRFA Dubai website or the ICA portal before submitting any application is advisable, as revisions can come into effect without extended advance notice.

FAQ

What is the total all-in cost of a 30-day UAE tourist visa for an Indian in 2026?

The GDRFA government fee is AED 252, plus 5% UAE VAT, for an official government total of approximately AED 265 — around $72 or ₹6,100. When applying through an airline or travel agent, a service charge of roughly AED 100–300 is added, bringing the typical total to AED 400–600 (approximately ₹9,200–13,800). Ask your provider to show the government fee and service fee as separate line items before paying.

Is the UAE visa on arrival free for Indians?

No. The 14-day on-arrival visa for eligible Indians — those holding a valid US visa or green card, or a UK or EU residence permit — costs AED 100 (approximately $27 or ₹2,300). It is cheaper and more convenient than a pre-arranged e-visa, but it is not free.

What is the official government fee for a 60-day UAE tourist visa?

The GDRFA base fee is AED 352, rising to approximately AED 370 after 5% VAT — around $101 or ₹8,500 at current exchange rates. Agent service charges are added on top, bringing the typical all-in price to AED 600–900.

Can I get a refund if my UAE visa application is rejected?

In most cases, no. Government and immigration fees paid to GDRFA or ICA are non-refundable once the application is submitted to the UAE authority, regardless of whether the visa is approved, rejected, or unused. Service fees from agents may be partially refundable if you cancel before submission, but each provider has its own policy. Read the terms explicitly before paying.

What is the UAE overstay fine per day in 2026?

The UAE charges a standardised AED 50 per day for all visa categories from 2025 onwards. The fine starts from the day after the visa expires. A one-week overstay costs AED 350 (approximately ₹8,050); a one-month overstay accumulates to AED 1,500 (approximately ₹34,500). Fines are collected at the time of departure and can lead to entry bans if left unresolved.

Is travel insurance mandatory for a UAE tourist visa?

Travel insurance is not a statutory requirement for UAE tourist or visit visas. However, many agents bundle a basic policy into their quoted price, and having coverage is strongly recommended given the high cost of private healthcare in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. If your provider does not include insurance, a standalone 30-day travel policy for the UAE typically costs AED 50–150.

How much does a 5-year multiple-entry UAE visa cost for Indians?

The total payable from outside the UAE is approximately AED 4,814, which includes a fully refundable security deposit of AED 3,000. The actual non-refundable cost — government fee plus processing — is roughly AED 1,814 (around $494 or ₹41,700). The visa allows unlimited entries, with a maximum continuous stay of 90 days per visit and a yearly limit of 180 days.

Does the visa price change based on which airline I fly with?

The government fee is fixed and does not change between providers. What varies is the service charge each airline or agent adds. Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, and FlyDubai each set their own processing fees, which generally fall in the AED 50–150 range above the government cost. Comparing quotes across airlines before deciding is a straightforward way to reduce total spend.

What additional costs should I budget for beyond the visa fee?

Plan for proof of sufficient funds at the border (AED 3,000 per person is the informal benchmark), a confirmed hotel or accommodation booking, a return or onward ticket, and travel insurance. If you need express processing, add AED 100–150. Each 30-day extension of an existing tourist visa costs approximately AED 1,200 within the UAE, inclusive of all government fees.

What is the cheapest way to apply for a UAE visa from India?

The lowest total cost comes from applying through the official ICA or GDRFA digital portals, where no third-party service charge is added — though this route typically requires a UAE-based sponsor to initiate the application. The next most cost-effective option is usually the airline you are flying with, whose service fees tend to be lower than those charged by India-based travel agents. Whichever channel you use, the underlying government fee and VAT component are identical across all providers.