Planning a trip to Dubai or Abu Dhabi? Here's everything you need to know about applying for a UAE tourist visa from India — documents required, fees, processing time and common mistakes to avoid.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE are among the easiest international trips for Indian travellers: short flights, plenty of departures from most big Indian cities and a visa process that is usually simple if your papers are in order. This guide covers the main visa types, the documents you will need, who can get a visa on arrival, and the small mistakes that cause delays or rejections.
One note before we start: UAE visa rules, fees and eligibility lists are updated from time to time. Use this guide to prepare, then confirm the current rules with the official sources (the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, known as ICP, and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai, known as GDRFA) when you apply.
Yes. Most Indian passport holders need a visa arranged before they travel. The exception is a group of Indians who already hold certain other visas or residence permits, who may be eligible for a visa on arrival (more on that below). If you are not in that group, plan to apply before you book anything non-refundable.
The tourist visa is what most holidaymakers need. It is commonly issued for a stay of 30 days or 60 days, with single-entry and multiple-entry versions available. A 30-day single-entry visa covers the typical 4–7 day Dubai holiday comfortably. If you plan to visit again within a short period, or to combine the UAE with a trip to Oman or elsewhere and come back, ask about a multiple-entry option.
If you are connecting through Dubai or Abu Dhabi and want to step out of the airport for a short stopover, a transit visa may suit you. These are short-stay visas, typically linked to a booking with a UAE-based airline and an onward ticket to a third country. Check with your airline whether you qualify and how many hours the visa allows.
If a relative living in the UAE is sponsoring you, or you are travelling for meetings, there are separate visit visa routes. These are outside the scope of this holiday guide, but the document basics below still apply.
Indian passport holders who also hold a valid US visa or US green card, or a valid residence permit from the UK or a European Union country, may be eligible for a visa on arrival in the UAE. Conditions usually include a passport valid for at least six months and a US visa, green card or residence permit that is itself still valid.
This facility has been expanded and adjusted over the past few years, and the list of qualifying countries and the length of stay can change. Please check the current eligibility list on the official ICP or GDRFA website, or with your airline, before you rely on it. If there is any doubt, applying for a regular tourist visa in advance is the safer choice.
For a standard tourist visa, keep these ready as clear scans or photos:
Make sure the name on every document matches your passport exactly, including the spelling and the order of first name and surname.
Indian travellers usually apply in one of three ways:
Processing is often quick, frequently within a few working days, but it is not guaranteed. Weekends, public holidays in the UAE and India, and peak periods such as Diwali, Christmas and New Year can slow things down. Apply at least one to two weeks before your departure if you can, and longer during peak season.
Fees vary by visa type and length of stay and are revised from time to time, so check the current fee at the time of applying rather than relying on figures you find online.
Nobody, including any travel agency, can guarantee approval. The decision is always made by the UAE authorities. What a good agent can do is check your file carefully so that avoidable errors do not hold you up.
Medical treatment in the UAE can be expensive for visitors. A travel insurance policy that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation and lost baggage is strongly recommended even when it is not strictly required for your visa. Read the policy wording for exclusions, especially for adventure activities like dune bashing.
Some years ago, many airlines flying from India to the UAE required an "OK to Board" confirmation before check-in. Today this is rarely needed for most passengers, as airlines can check visa status electronically. Practices still differ between airlines and situations, so check with your airline a few days before departure.
Aim for one to two weeks before travel, and earlier for festival and holiday seasons. Most visas are processed faster than that, but leaving a buffer reduces stress if any document needs to be corrected.
Extensions have been possible for some tourist visas, but the rules change. Check with GDRFA or ICP, or ask us, before your visa expires. Never overstay, as fines and future travel problems can follow.
Yes. Every traveller, including infants, needs their own passport and visa. For minors, a parent's passport copy is usually required as well.
Yes, a UAE tourist visa lets you travel across all the emirates, so you can visit Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and beyond on the same visa.
Generally the US visa, green card or residence permit must still be valid, and some rules ask for a minimum remaining validity. Check the current eligibility conditions before you fly.
Ready to plan? You can apply through our UAE visa page, browse our Dubai tour packages, or read our first-timer's guide to Dubai and Dubai packing list. If you have a question about your documents, get in touch with our team.
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