🛂 UAE Tourist Visa for Indian Citizens (2026)
Eligibility, documents and process — plus a free fee calculator on the main /visa page.
Quick answer
Indian passport holders are eligible for UAE visa-on-arrival only with a valid US, UK, EU, Australian, or Canadian visa or residence permit. Otherwise a pre-arranged Tourist Visa is required, obtainable through an airline, licensed travel agency, or UAE-based sponsor.
Eligibility for Indian passport holders
Visa-on-arrival is available for Indian passport holders carrying a valid US visa, US Green Card, UK residence permit, or EU Schengen residence visa. The UAE has also extended visa-on-arrival eligibility to Indians holding residence permits from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Singapore. Without one of these, a pre-arranged visa is required.
India hosts the largest expatriate community in the UAE.
About the UAE Tourist Visa
Short-stay visa for tourism, leisure, or visiting friends and family. Issued in single-entry (30 or 60 day) and multi-entry (90 day or 5-year) formats.
Typical documents
- Coloured copy of the passport biographical page (minimum 6 months validity from the travel date)
- Recent passport-size colour photograph with a white background
- Confirmed onward or return air ticket
- Confirmed UAE hotel booking or proof of accommodation
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements)
- Basic UAE health insurance (mandatory)
How Indian citizens typically apply
Applications for Indian passport holders are typically routed through the following authorized channels:
- VFS Global
- Emirates Airlines
- flydubai
- Etihad Airways
- Licensed UAE travel agencies
Nearest UAE diplomatic mission: New Delhi (Embassy); Mumbai and Hyderabad (Consulates).
Notes specific to Indian applicants
- Indian applicants typically qualify on one of three grounds: travel history (at least one international trip in the last 3 years, or a valid US / UK / Schengen visa), financial proof (e.g. ITR with adequate income for the last 2 years), or sponsorship from an immediate family member already residing in the UAE.
- VFS Global is the most common processing partner for Indian applicants.
Common rejection reasons
- Passport with less than 6 months validity from the planned travel date
- Previous UAE visa overstay or labour absconding record
- Insufficient travel history (for some nationalities)
- Incomplete or unclear scanned documents
- Missing return ticket or hotel booking
Process notes
- Tourist visas are typically obtained through an airline (Emirates, flydubai, Etihad, Air Arabia), a licensed UAE travel agency, or a UAE-based hotel acting as sponsor.
- Basic mandatory health insurance is required for the duration of the stay.
- Applying from inside the UAE incurs additional surcharges.
- For an estimate of current fees, use the calculator on the main UAE Visa page.
Get current fees and currency conversion
Visa fees change periodically and are quoted in AED. Use these free tools to estimate costs in your currency:
Planning the move itself?
FAQ
Visa-on-arrival is available for Indian passport holders carrying a valid US visa, US Green Card, UK residence permit, or EU Schengen residence visa. The UAE has also extended visa-on-arrival eligibility to Indians holding residence permits from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Singapore. Without one of these, a pre-arranged visa is required.
Short-stay visa for tourism, leisure, or visiting friends and family. Issued in single-entry (30 or 60 day) and multi-entry (90 day or 5-year) formats.
A UAE Tourist Visa is typically valid for 30, 60, or 90 days from the date of issue (5-year multi-entry also available). It can be extended subject to current rules.
Typical documents include: Coloured copy of the passport biographical page (minimum 6 months validity from the travel date); Recent passport-size colour photograph with a white background; Confirmed onward or return air ticket; Confirmed UAE hotel booking or proof of accommodation. Specific requirements may vary by sponsor and emirate.
Fees vary by visa duration, sponsor, and processing speed. For an up-to-date estimate, use the free UAE Visa Fee Calculator on the main /visa page.