How Indian passport holders get a visa for UAE (Dubai): visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: eVisa — pre-arranged before travel
- Government fee: From about AED 250 (varies by visa duration & type). Visa on arrival for the special category below is AED 253. Airline / VFS service fees are extra — confirm exact pricing on the official portal.
- Processing time: Pre-arranged eVisa: usually 3–5 working days. Visa on arrival (eligible category): up to 48 hours
- Maximum stay: eVisa: 30 or 60 days depending on type. Visa on arrival category: 14 days, extendable once by 14 days
- Interview: Not required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 70/100
Documents you'll need
- Indian passport valid at least 6 months
- Passport-size photo (white background)
- Confirmed return / onward ticket
- For visa on arrival only: valid US visa / US green card OR UK / EU residence permit (6+ months validity)
How & where to apply
Most Indian passport holders need a pre-arranged eVisa — apply through GDRFA, ICP, your UAE airline (Emirates / Etihad), or VFS Global. Indians holding a valid US visa / US green card or a UK / EU residence permit may instead be eligible for a visa on arrival. GDRFA Dubai eVisa portal (official)
Transit & connections
No transit visa needed if you stay inside the international transit zone. A UAE transit visa is only needed if you leave the airport.
How UAE (Dubai) compares in the Gulf & Middle East
With an ease score of 70/100 this is one of the smoother applications for Indians. UAE (Dubai) uses an online e-visa for Indian passport holders — no embassy visit is needed at application time.
| Country | Visa type | Government fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇪 UAE (Dubai) | eVisa — pre-arranged before travel | From about AED 250 (varies by visa duration & type). Visa on arrival for the special category below is AED 253. Airline / VFS service fees are extra — confirm exact pricing on the official portal. | Pre-arranged eVisa: usually 3–5 working days. Visa on arrival (eligible category): up to 48 hours |
| 🇶🇦 Qatar | Free visa on arrival — pre-book hotel via Discover Qatar | Visa on arrival is free. (The Hayya e-visa alternative costs QAR 100.) Note: the Discover Qatar hotel booking is a paid commercial cost, not a government fee. | Visa on arrival is issued immediately at the immigration counter |
| 🇴🇲 Oman | eVisa — Royal Oman Police portal | 10-day single entry (26E): OMR 5 (~₹1,100 / ~$13). 30-day single entry (26N/26M): OMR 20 (~₹4,300 / ~$52). 1-year multi-entry (36M, 30 days per visit): OMR 50 (~₹10,800 / ~$130). Fees are non-refundable. | Usually 1–3 working days; can be faster |
| 🇧🇭 Bahrain | eVisa — apply online before travel | 2-week single-entry visit eVisa: around BHD 9 (~₹2,000 / ~$24). Service fees may apply. Visa on arrival (eligible category): from BHD 5. | eVisa: usually 3–5 working days. Visa on arrival: issued immediately at Bahrain International Airport |
| 🇯🇴 Jordan | eVisa — apply online before travel | Single-entry eVisa: JOD 40 (~₹4,800 / ~$56). Double-entry: JOD 60. Multiple-entry: JOD 120. Jordan Pass (which waives the visa fee for stays of 3+ nights) is NOT available for Indian passport holders. | Typically 1–3 working days |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Sticker visa via VFS — eVisa / VOA only with US, UK or Schengen visa | Sticker tourist visa via VFS: approximately SAR 480 total including visa fee + mandatory medical insurance + VAT (~₹10,500 / ~$128). eVisa (only if holding US/UK/Schengen visa): similar ~SAR 480 total. Plus VFS service charges. Umrah package costs are separate. | Sticker visa via VFS: typically 5–10 working days. eVisa (eligible holders): 24–48 hours. Visa on arrival (eligible holders): issued at the airport. |
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait | eVisa — limited eligibility, often via sponsor | eVisa fee around KWD 3 (~₹860 / ~$10) where eligible. In practice most Indian tourists apply through a sponsor or relative in Kuwait, which adds service/sponsorship fees. No visa on arrival for ordinary Indian passport holders. | Around 1–3 working days where eligible; sponsor-based applications can take longer |
Fees and processing times are indicative and change with exchange rates and season — always confirm on each country's official source before applying.
Good to know
Apply only through GDRFA, ICP, your airline or VFS Global. Exact eVisa fee tiers vary — check the official portal. Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/tourist-visa
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for UAE (Dubai)?
eVisa — pre-arranged before travel. Apply only through GDRFA, ICP, your airline or VFS Global. Exact eVisa fee tiers vary — check the official portal.
What documents do Indians need for a UAE (Dubai) visa?
Indian passport valid at least 6 months; Passport-size photo (white background); Confirmed return / onward ticket; For visa on arrival only: valid US visa / US green card OR UK / EU residence permit (6+ months validity)
How long does a UAE (Dubai) visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: Pre-arranged eVisa: usually 3–5 working days. Visa on arrival (eligible category): up to 48 hours. Government fee: From about AED 250 (varies by visa duration & type). Visa on arrival for the special category below is AED 253. Airline / VFS service fees are extra — confirm exact pricing on the official portal.. Maximum stay: eVisa: 30 or 60 days depending on type. Visa on arrival category: 14 days, extendable once by 14 days.
How do Indians apply for a UAE (Dubai) visa?
Most Indian passport holders need a pre-arranged eVisa — apply through GDRFA, ICP, your UAE airline (Emirates / Etihad), or VFS Global. Indians holding a valid US visa / US green card or a UK / EU residence permit may instead be eligible for a visa on arrival. Official source: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/tourist-visa
Is a UAE (Dubai) visa hard to get for Indian citizens?
With an ease score of 70/100 this is one of the smoother applications for Indians. No interview is normally required.
Can Indians get a UAE (Dubai) visa online or on arrival?
UAE (Dubai) uses an online e-visa for Indian passport holders — no embassy visit is needed at application time.
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