UAE Visa on Arrival for Indians 2026

Can Indians Get a UAE Visa on Arrival in 2026? (Direct Answer)

Indian passport holders cannot enter the UAE by simply booking a flight — India is not on the UAE's visa-free list. However, a significant group of Indian travellers qualifies for a 14-day visa on arrival (VOA) at any UAE entry point, with no advance application required, as long as they hold a valid visa, residence permit, or Green Card from certain qualifying countries.

For everyone else — the majority of Indian passport holders — a UAE e-Visa must be arranged before departure. The e-Visa process is fully online, does not require an embassy visit, and typically takes three to five working days.

Who Qualifies for UAE Visa on Arrival

US, UK, and EU document holders

Indian nationals holding ordinary passports have been eligible for a UAE visa on arrival when carrying one of the following valid documents:

• United States — any valid US visa (B1/B2, F1, H-1B, L-1, or any other category) or a US Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
• United Kingdom — a valid UK visa or UK residence permit, including UK e-visas
• European Union — a valid EU residence permit issued by any EU member state

For the US, both a visitor visa and a Green Card count. For the UK and EU, a valid issued visa or residence permit qualifies. Both the Indian passport and the qualifying document must be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in the UAE.

Six additional countries added in February 2025

On 13 February 2025, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially extended VOA eligibility for Indian nationals. Indian citizens holding valid residence permits from any of the following countries are now also eligible:

• Australia
• Canada
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Republic of Korea (South Korea)
• Singapore

For these six countries, the qualifying document is a residence permit — a short-term tourist visa from Australia or Canada, for example, does not qualify. A permanent residency card or a long-term resident visa from these countries does. The expansion was announced by the UAE Embassy in New Delhi and took effect across all UAE entry points on the same date.

UAE Visa on Arrival Fee and Length of Stay

Indian citizens with U.S. visas, green cards, UK residence permits, or EU residence permits can obtain an entry visa upon arrival in the UAE, valid for 14 days, for a fee of AED 100. Approximately ₹2,300 at current exchange rates, this fee is paid at the immigration counter on arrival. Some airports process payment digitally, so carrying an international debit or credit card is advisable rather than relying on cash.

Travellers may apply for a one-time extension of their stay for an additional 14 days for AED 250. This extension is applied through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) portal, costing around ₹5,750, and gives a maximum total stay of 28 days under a visa on arrival.

The permit is issued for tourism only and does not allow employment or conversion to a residence visa from within the UAE. Overstay fines accrue at AED 100 per day from the moment the visa expires, with no grace period.

Documents to Carry at the Airport

Airlines verify VOA eligibility at the departure gate, not only at UAE immigration. Passengers should carry all of the following in original form:

• Indian passport — valid for at least six months beyond the planned arrival date in the UAE
• Qualifying visa or residence document — US visa, US Green Card, UK visa or residence permit, EU residence permit, or a residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, or Singapore — valid for at least six months from the travel date; original copies, not photocopies
• Confirmed return or onward travel ticket
• Proof of accommodation — hotel booking or host address in the UAE
• One recent passport-size photograph with a white background (some counters request this)

Passengers found ineligible after boarding face return on the same flight at their own expense. Travel managers handling corporate bookings increasingly attach a copy of the qualifying residency document to the ticket PNR at the point of check-in to avoid last-minute boarding delays.

For Indians Without a Qualifying Visa — How to Get a UAE e-Visa

If you do not hold any of the qualifying documents listed above, you need a UAE e-Visa issued before you travel. UAE embassies do not issue tourist visas over the counter; the entire process is online through authorised channels.

Where and how to apply

Applications can be submitted through the ICP Smart Services portal (smartservices.icp.gov.ae), the GDRFA Dubai portal, authorised travel agents, or airlines that partner with UAE immigration authorities. Hotels and licensed tourism companies based in the UAE can also sponsor and apply on behalf of visitors. For Indian travellers applying from India, a licensed visa platform such as Visarun.ai handles the document checklist, application submission, and follow-up in one place.

Available visa types

• 30-day single-entry tourist visa — suitable for standard holidays and short family visits; entry must be made within 60 days of the visa issue date
• 60-day single-entry tourist visa — suited for longer stays or visitors combining multiple cities
• Multiple-entry options are available for travellers who plan to leave and re-enter the UAE during their trip

Standard processing takes three to five working days. Express processing, available through most agents, delivers approval within 24 hours for an additional fee. Typical documents required include a colour scan of the passport bio page, a recent colour photograph, and confirmed flight and accommodation details.

UAE Visa Cost Breakdown for Indians (2026)

All INR figures below use an approximate rate of ₹23 per AED, reflecting the 2025 average. Rates fluctuate, so verify the current conversion before budgeting.

• Visa on arrival, 14 days — AED 100, approximately ₹2,300; paid at the UAE immigration counter on arrival
• VOA one-time extension, additional 14 days — AED 250, approximately ₹5,750; applied through the GDRFA portal before the original permit expires
• 30-day tourist e-Visa (government fee alone) — AED 200, approximately ₹4,600; total cost including agent service fees typically falls between ₹7,500 and ₹9,500
• 60-day tourist e-Visa (government fee alone) — AED 300, approximately ₹6,900; total cost including service fees typically falls between ₹12,000 and ₹18,000
• In-country extension of a tourist e-Visa (from December 2025) — AED 600 combined fee (AED 500 renewal plus AED 100 application), approximately ₹13,800

Government fees are published on the official ICP and GDRFA portals. Service charges added by agents vary. Confirming the current fee schedule on the official UAE government website before submitting any application is advisable, as fees are subject to revision.

Recent Changes (2025-2026 Updates)

February 2025: VOA expanded to nine qualifying countries

The largest policy shift for Indian travellers came on 13 February 2025, when the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) extended VOA eligibility to Indian nationals holding residence permits from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Singapore. Before this date, only US, UK, and EU document holders were eligible. The announcement was made by the UAE Embassy in New Delhi and applied immediately at all UAE entry points.

October 2025: Boarding checks tightened

In October 2025, UAE authorities restated that only Indian nationals holding a valid US visa/green card or UK/EU residency are eligible for the 14-day visa on arrival, tightening airline boarding checks. The qualifying document must be presented in original form, and the six-month validity requirement applies equally to the Indian passport and the third-country document. Passengers found ineligible after boarding face a return flight at their own cost.

December 2025: In-country extensions for tourist e-Visas

Since December 2025, most 30-day or 60-day tourist and business visit visas can now be extended from within the UAE, fully online through the ICP portal, without exiting the country. The combined fee is AED 600, and the extended period matches the original visa duration. This removes the need for the border run to Oman that was previously the main workaround for Indian visitors wanting a longer stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Indian passport holders get a free visa on arrival in the UAE?

No. Even eligible travellers pay a fee of AED 100 (around ₹2,300) at the immigration counter on arrival. This is not a free entry arrangement — it is a paid on-arrival facility available only to those holding qualifying documents from the nine countries listed above.

Does a valid Schengen tourist visa stamp qualify for the UAE visa on arrival?

A valid Schengen visa issued by an EU member state may qualify, but the UAE's published criteria specifically reference EU residence permits. Travellers holding a Schengen tourist stamp are advised to confirm eligibility with their airline before travel, as boarding checks apply and an ambiguous document can result in being refused boarding.

How long is the UAE visa on arrival valid, and can I extend it?

The visa on arrival grants a 14-day stay. It can be extended once through the GDRFA portal for an additional 14 days at a cost of AED 250, giving a maximum total stay of 28 days. After that, you would need to leave the UAE and obtain a fresh visa to return.

What happens if I arrive without the qualifying document and no advance e-Visa?

UAE immigration will deny entry, and you will be returned on the next available flight at your own expense. There is no facility to apply for a standard tourist visa at the airport if you do not meet the VOA criteria. A pre-arranged e-Visa is the only option for Indian passport holders who do not hold a qualifying third-country document.

How long does a UAE e-Visa take to process for Indians?

Standard processing through authorised agents or the ICP portal takes three to five working days. An express option delivers approval within 24 hours for an additional fee. Applying at least one week before your departure date is a practical approach to allow time for any document queries.

Can I extend my UAE tourist e-Visa from inside the country?

Yes, since December 2025, holders of 30-day or 60-day tourist and business visit visas can apply for an extension online through the ICP portal without leaving the UAE. The combined fee is AED 600. Applications should be submitted before the current visa expires to avoid daily fines of AED 100 that begin accruing from the expiry date.

Does a US tourist visa (B1/B2) qualify for the UAE visa on arrival, or only a Green Card?

Both qualify. Any valid US visa — B1/B2, F-1, H-1B, L-1, or any other category — makes an Indian passport holder eligible for the UAE visa on arrival. A US Green Card also qualifies independently, even without a separate US visa stamp. The key condition in both cases is that the document remains valid for at least six months from the date of travel.

Where can Indians apply for a UAE e-Visa online?

Applications can be submitted through the UAE government's ICP Smart Services portal, the GDRFA Dubai portal, and through authorised travel agents and visa platforms. Visarun.ai offers an assisted application service for Indian travellers, handling document verification and submission. Final approval decisions rest with UAE immigration authorities, and fees or processing times may change — checking the official ICP or embassy website before applying is recommended.