Countries That Give 5 & 10-Year Visas to Indians in 2026
By Saanvi Iyer (Saanvi Iyer breaks down visa policy for Indian passport holders into plain answers — who needs what, how long you can stay, and what it actually costs in rupees. She tracks MEA advisories, e-visa portals and embassy fee revisions so Indian travellers don't get caught out at the airport.) · Published · Last updated · 12 min read
A long-validity visa means years of trips on one approval — here's which countries hand Indians 5 and 10-year visas in 2026, and the catch behind each.
Quick answer
In 2026, the long-validity visas Indians can realistically get are: the US B1/B2 (commonly 10-year multiple-entry), the UK Standard Visitor (available in 2, 5 and 10-year long-term variants), the Schengen 5-year multiple-entry via the cascade regime (after using two Schengen visas in three years), the UAE 5-year multi-entry tourist visa, and Thailand's 5-year DTV. Canada can issue up to 10-year multiple-entry visitor visas but no longer automatically. In every case the long validity is the visa window — each individual stay is still capped (usually 6 months for US/UK/Canada, 90 days per visit for UAE, 90/180 for Schengen). Verify current fees and conditions on the official portal before applying.
United States — 10-year B1/B2
Indian applicants approved for a US B1/B2 visitor visa typically receive a 10-year, multiple-entry visa. The visa stamp's 10-year validity is separate from your authorised stay: US Customs and Border Protection decides how long you may stay each visit (usually up to 6 months). As of 2026, the fee structure rose — a US$185 application fee plus a new US$250 Visa Integrity Fee (effective 1 October 2025), bringing the total to roughly US$435 (≈ ₹36,500). First-time interview wait times remain long (often 200–400+ days), so plan well ahead. For interview prep and slot strategy, see our US B1/B2 wait-times and slot strategy guide. Confirm fees on the official US visa portal before paying.
United Kingdom — 2, 5 and 10-year visitor visas
The UK Standard Visitor visa comes in long-term variants of 2, 5 and 10 years, letting you make repeated trips of up to 6 months each without reapplying. After the April 2026 fee revision, indicative fees for Indians are around £135 (≈ ₹16,300) for 6 months, £506 for 2 years, £903 for 5 years and £1,128 (≈ ₹1.36 lakh) for 10 years, plus VFS service charges. Note that from 25 February 2026 the UK moved to a fully digital eVisa system — no more vignette stickers or BRP cards. The long-term visa is discretionary; caseworkers assess your travel history and intent. See our UK Standard Visitor visa guide. Always verify the latest fee on the UK Home Office fee tool before applying.
Schengen — 5-year multi-entry via the cascade
Since the EU's April 2024 India-specific rules, Indians can climb a faster cascade to long-validity Schengen visas. After lawfully using two Schengen visas within three years, you qualify for a 2-year multiple-entry visa; after using that lawfully, a 5-year multiple-entry visa (subject to passport validity). A 5-year Schengen MEV lets you travel the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without reapplying. Note: LTV (limited territorial validity) and airport-transit visas do not count toward building this history — only standard type-C uniform visas do. Apply through the country that is your main destination. Read our Schengen cascade explainer and how to get a Schengen visa from India.
UAE — 5-year multi-entry tourist visa
The UAE offers a self-sponsored 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa that lets Indians enter and exit freely for five years, staying up to 90 days per visit (extendable to 180 days per year). As of 2026, the government fee is roughly AED 1,200–1,600 (≈ ₹28,000–37,000), though agent packages quoting AED 4,000+ include service fees and a refundable deposit — read the breakdown carefully. Eligibility typically needs a passport valid 6+ months and a 6-month bank statement showing around US$4,000 (≈ ₹3.3 lakh). See the UAE/Dubai visa page and check live Delhi–Dubai fares on FlightGPT. Verify the fee on the official GDRFA / ICP channel before applying.
Thailand DTV and Canada
Thailand's DTV is a 5-year multiple-entry visa for remote workers and 'soft-power' visitors, allowing 180-day stays per entry, for about ₹25,000 with a ~₹14.3 lakh bank-balance test — covered in our digital nomad visas for Indians guide. Canada can issue visitor visas valid up to 10 years (or until passport/biometrics expiry), but since November 2024 this is no longer automatic — officers decide validity case by case, so a strong application with clear home ties matters. See our Canada visitor visa guide.
Long validity vs long stay — don't confuse them
The single most important thing to understand: a 10-year visa does not mean you can stay 10 years. It means the visa window is 10 years, within which each visit is capped — usually 6 months (US/UK/Canada), 90 days per visit (UAE), or 90 days per 180 (Schengen). Overstaying any single permitted stay can trigger bans regardless of how long the visa is valid. Read visa overstay consequences for Indians before you rely on a long-validity visa for back-to-back trips.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries give Indians a 10-year visa?
The US commonly issues a 10-year B1/B2 visitor visa, the UK offers a 10-year Standard Visitor variant, and Canada can grant up to 10-year multiple-entry visas (no longer automatic since November 2024). Each caps individual stays at around 6 months.
Can Indians get a 5-year Schengen visa?
Yes, via the cascade regime: after lawfully using two Schengen visas within three years you can get a 2-year multiple-entry visa, then a 5-year one. Only standard type-C visas count toward this history — not LTV or transit visas.
How much does the UAE 5-year tourist visa cost for Indians?
The government fee is roughly AED 1,200–1,600 (≈ ₹28,000–37,000) as of 2026, allowing 90-day stays per visit over five years. Agent packages quoting more include service fees and a refundable deposit. Verify on the official UAE channel.
Does a 10-year US visa mean I can stay 10 years?
No. The 10 years is how long the visa is valid for entries. Each visit's length is decided by US CBP at the border, typically up to 6 months. Overstaying that permitted period can lead to bans regardless of the visa's validity.
What is the fee for a 10-year UK visitor visa for Indians?
After the April 2026 revision, the 10-year UK Standard Visitor visa is around £1,128 (≈ ₹1.36 lakh), plus VFS service charges. The 5-year is about £903 and the 2-year about £506. Always confirm on the UK Home Office fee tool.
Is the US 10-year visa automatic for Indians?
The 10-year validity is standard for approved Indian B1/B2 applicants, but approval itself is at the consular officer's discretion after the interview. The total fee in 2026 is roughly US$435 (≈ ₹36,500) including the new Visa Integrity Fee.