Dubai Visa for Indians 2026: eVisa, 14/30/60-Day Tourist Visa, Visa-on-Arrival
By Meera Krishnan (Meera Krishnan writes about visas and immigration procedures for Indian travellers — e-visas, visa-on-arrival, Schengen and embassy processes, documentation and rejection appeals — tracking consulate and VFS updates across the countries Indians travel to most.) · Published · 11 min read
eVisa, 14/30/60-day tourist visas, visa-on-arrival for US visa holders, multi-entry options, and what to do if your application is denied.
Who needs a Dubai visa and which type
Indian passport holders need a visa to enter the UAE. There are only two narrow exceptions to pre-arrival visa requirement:
- Visa-on-arrival for Indian passport holders who hold a valid US visa (any category, valid for at least 6 months), a US Green Card, a valid UK residence visa, or a valid EU residence visa. Valid for a 14-day stay, extendable once for another 14 days. Fee: AED 100 (about ₹2,400).
- Diplomatic / official passport holders have separate arrangements.
Everyone else needs a tourist visa, which comes in several flavours:
- 14-day single entry — about AED 320 (~₹7,600).
- 30-day single entry — most popular option for first-time visitors. About AED 370 (~₹8,800) including fees.
- 30-day multi-entry — useful for split trips with a short side-visit to Oman or another country. About AED 730 (~₹17,200).
- 60-day single entry — for longer leisure or family visits. About AED 700 (~₹16,500).
- 60-day multi-entry — about AED 1,300 (~₹30,800).
Prices fluctuate with the dirham rate and OTA markup. The 30-day single entry is what most Indian leisure visitors apply for.
How to apply for the Dubai eVisa
Three legitimate channels for an Indian to get a Dubai tourist visa:
- Through Emirates or Etihad when you book your flight. Both airlines offer integrated visa-application service for ticket holders — Emirates' visa portal, Etihad's "Your UAE Visa". Reliable, slightly cheaper, only available if you fly that airline.
- Through a UAE-licensed travel agency or hotel. If you book a hotel in Dubai via Booking.com / MakeMyTrip / Yatra, many will offer to process the visa. Cost slightly higher than airline-direct, but useful if you are flying a non-UAE carrier.
- Through dnata, Smart Travel, ICP-approved agents. Independent applications via online providers. Watch for inflated prices — the base government fee is about AED 270; anything more than AED 400-500 total is OTA markup.
You cannot apply through the UAE consulate in India directly for a tourist visa — they only handle residence and work visas. Everything tourist-related is online.
Documents you will need to upload
Dubai eVisa applications are document-light compared to Schengen or UK. You will need:
- Passport scan — colour, clear, all four edges visible. Validity must be at least 6 months from arrival date.
- Passport-style photograph — 35x45mm or 6x6 cm, white background, no glasses, taken in the last 6 months, no head covering (unless religious).
- Confirmed return flight ticket (PNR is fine; full ticket not required at application).
- Hotel booking confirmation or invitation letter from a UAE-based host.
- Bank statement of last 3 months (sometimes requested for first-time applicants from India; not always mandatory through airline channels).
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended; mandatory for 60-day visas).
Common rejection causes: blurred photo, passport less than 6 months from expiry, scan with edges cropped, or signature mismatch. Re-submit with corrected documents and the application is usually approved within 72 hours.
Processing time and what to do on arrival
Dubai eVisa processing is fast. The typical timeline:
- Submission to approval: 24-72 hours for normal applications; 96 hours during peak summer / Diwali / Dubai Shopping Festival rush.
- Express service (extra AED 100-200): same-day or next-day.
- The approved visa is emailed as a PDF (entry permit) — print a colour copy and keep on phone.
At Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Dubai World Central (DWC):
- Proceed to the regular immigration counter (not visa-on-arrival counter unless you qualify).
- Hand over passport + printed eVisa.
- Iris scan (now mandatory for almost all visitors over 18; replaces fingerprint at most counters).
- Entry stamp is issued. Note the date — overstaying by even one day attracts a fine of AED 50 per day.
You can extend a 30-day visa once for another 30 days while in the UAE, through ICP (Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Authority) — apply through the ICP app or website, fee around AED 600.
Visa-on-arrival for US/UK/EU visa holders
This is the easiest path for Indians who travel often. Eligibility:
- Valid US visa (B1/B2, F-1, H-1B, L-1, etc.) with at least 6 months validity from arrival.
- OR valid US Green Card.
- OR valid UK residence visa / UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) / British Citizen Overseas residence card.
- OR valid EU residence card (any Schengen country).
Process:
- Land at DXB / DWC.
- Go to the Visa on Arrival counter (clearly signposted).
- Show your Indian passport + supporting US/UK/EU visa.
- Pay AED 100 (cards accepted; cash AED preferred).
- Receive a 14-day single-entry visa stamped on arrival.
It can be extended once for another 14 days while in the UAE through ICP, fee AED 600. The advantage: no pre-arrival paperwork, no upload, no waiting.
Refunds, denials and the fine print
The Dubai eVisa fee is non-refundable in most cases, including:
- If you cancel the trip after the visa is approved.
- If you do not travel within the visa validity period.
- If you are denied entry at DXB (rare, but it happens — most commonly for previous overstay records).
You may get a partial refund if:
- The visa is rejected before issuance (you get back the government fee minus the service provider's processing fee, usually AED 100-150).
- You cancel before the visa is processed (within 1-2 hours of submission).
Denial of eVisa
Dubai eVisa rejection rates for Indians are low (under 5%) but can happen if:
- Prior UAE overstay or violation on record.
- Mismatched or unclear passport details.
- Same name as someone on a security watchlist (re-submission with full birth date and parent names usually clears this).
If denied, you can re-apply after addressing the cited reason. Most denials are document-quality issues, not substantive concerns.
Multi-entry, multiple-stay options for frequent visitors
If you visit Dubai multiple times a year (for business, family or shopping), consider:
- 5-year multi-entry tourist visa — launched in 2021, allows 90-day stays per visit (extendable once for another 90), unlimited entries over 5 years. Fee approximately AED 750 (~₹17,500). Application is online through ICP; requires proof of bank balance of at least USD 4,000 for the last 6 months and a valid return ticket.
- UAE Golden Visa — for high-net-worth investors, talented professionals (specialised fields), exceptional students. 10-year residence visa with self-sponsorship. Application through ICP, fees AED 2,800-4,500 plus medical and ID card fees. Eligibility criteria are specific — not a general tourist option.
- UAE Green Visa — 5-year self-sponsored residence visa for skilled workers, freelancers and investors. Application criteria are stricter than Golden Visa for the freelancer category.
For a deeper Dubai trip planning, see our Dubai travel guide and routes pages Delhi-Dubai, Mumbai-Dubai and Hyderabad-Dubai.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa to visit Dubai in 2026?
Yes, Indian passport holders need a visa to enter the UAE. The two exceptions are: holders of a valid US visa, US Green Card, UK residence visa or EU residence visa can get visa-on-arrival for 14 days at DXB. Everyone else needs to apply for an eVisa (14/30/60 days, single or multi-entry) before flying out.
How long does the Dubai eVisa take to process?
Typical Dubai eVisa processing is 24-72 hours for normal applications, extending to 96 hours during peak summer, Diwali week and the Dubai Shopping Festival. Express service is available for an extra AED 100-200 for same-day or next-day processing. Apply at least one week before travel to be comfortable.
Can I get a visa on arrival for Dubai with an Indian passport?
Only if you also hold a valid US visa, US Green Card, UK residence visa or EU residence card with at least 6 months of validity from your arrival date in Dubai. The visa on arrival is 14 days, costs AED 100, and is issued at a dedicated counter at DXB or DWC. Without one of these supporting documents, you must apply for a Dubai eVisa before travel.
How much does a 30-day Dubai tourist visa cost?
The base government fee is around AED 270 (about ₹6,400). Through Emirates, Etihad or a UAE-licensed agency, the total cost including processing is typically AED 350-450 (₹8,200-₹10,600). Through Indian travel portals or third-party agents, expect AED 400-500 due to OTA markup. Always compare two channels before paying.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Dubai?
Travel insurance is mandatory for the 60-day tourist visa and strongly recommended for the 14-day and 30-day visas. The UAE has very high private healthcare costs and your Indian health insurance will not cover treatment abroad. Buy a policy with at least USD 50,000 of medical cover; standard Schengen-style policies cost ₹500-₹1,500 for a typical Dubai trip.
Can I extend my Dubai visa from within the UAE?
Yes. Both the 14-day and 30-day visas can be extended once for the same duration through the ICP app or website. Fee is approximately AED 600. You must apply before the visa expires — overstay attracts AED 50 per day in fines plus a re-entry ban risk. For longer stays, consider the 60-day visa upfront.
What is the Dubai 5-year multi-entry tourist visa for Indians?
Launched in 2021, this visa allows Indian passport holders unlimited entries to the UAE over 5 years, with each stay capped at 90 days (extendable once for another 90 days). Fee is around AED 750. Requirements include bank balance of at least USD 4,000 for the last 6 months and a valid return ticket. Useful for frequent business or family visitors to Dubai.