🛂 UAE Work 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 Work 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 Work Visa
Employer-sponsored residence visa that lets the holder live and work in the UAE for the duration of their employment contract.
Typical documents
- Passport copy with at least 6 months validity
- Attested educational certificates (degree, diploma)
- Signed employment contract from a UAE-based employer
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Medical fitness test
- Emirates ID application
- Health insurance (typically employer-provided)
- Work permit or entry permit issued by MOHRE or the relevant free zone authority
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
- Failed medical fitness test
- Unattested educational certificates
- Employer not in good standing with MOHRE
- Previous absconding or labour case record
- Mismatched job title vs. qualifications
Process notes
- UAE law requires the EMPLOYER to cover all work-visa costs, including renewals. Employees should not be asked to pay these out of pocket.
- Free zone employment visas typically cost less than mainland employment visas.
- 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.
Employer-sponsored residence visa that lets the holder live and work in the UAE for the duration of their employment contract.
A UAE Work Visa is typically valid for Typically 2 years; tied to the employment contract. It can be extended subject to current rules.
Typical documents include: Passport copy with at least 6 months validity; Attested educational certificates (degree, diploma); Signed employment contract from a UAE-based employer; Recent passport-size photographs. 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.