Dubai Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens
Get the Best Insurance Plan that fits for Your Need
Get a Quote for Insurance
Introduction
A record 17 million foreign tourists visited Dubai in 2023, making it one of the most-visited international destinations. The city’s cosmopolitan culture, iconic landmarks, shopping festivals, mega-events, unique entertainment choices, and stringent safety standards are a huge draw for tourists across the globe.
With expatriates comprising over 85% of Dubai’s population, the city is a melting pot of diverse cultures. Its high quality of life, abundant career opportunities, and progressive labor laws have transformed it into a magnet for top international talent.
Indians are the largest ethnic community in the UAE, with an estimated 3.5 million strong population. A large number of Indians flock to Dubai every year for tourism, business, and work opportunities. Understanding the UAE visa requirements for Indian citizens is crucial to avoid needless legal hassles. Here’s a comprehensive guide to applying for a Dubai visa for Indians.
Dubai Visa Types for Indian Citizens
Tourist Visa
Visitor Visa
Business/Investor Visa
Employment Visa
Student Visa
Golden Visa
Freelancer Visa
Family Visa
Medical Treatment Visa
Transit Visa
Dubai Tourist Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens
Required Documents
A valid passport with at least two blank pages
Recent passport-sized color photographs with a white background
Completed online visa application form along with visa fee payment receipt
Travel itinerary with confirmed round-trip flight tickets
Hotel reservations, lease agreement, or an invitation letter from a host in the UAE (as proof of accommodation)
Latest bank statements (3-6 months) as proof of financial means to cover the expenses in Dubai
Additional documents such as proof of employment, business, or income tax returns
International Travel Insurance (not mandatory but recommended)
How to Apply for a Dubai Tourist Visa?
Visit the official website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) or the ICA Smart Services. New users must create an account
Gather scanned copies of all the required documents as listed in the previous section
Log in to your account and complete the online visa application form with accurate details
Upload the documents and pay the visa application fee using your credit card or debit card. Review the information and click ‘Submit’
After processing and approval, the visa will be emailed to you as a PDF document. Kindly print a copy of the same to carry during your travel
Visa Fees for a Dubai Tourist Visa
| Visa Type | Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| Single Entry - 30 Days | 7,300 |
| Single Entry - 60 Days | 14,700 |
| Multiple Entry - 30 Days | 17,200 |
| Multiple Entry - 60 Days | 21,000 |
| Single Entry - 30 Days (Express) | 8,600 |
| Single Entry - 60 Days (Express) | 15,500 |
How Long Does It Take to Get a Dubai Tourist Visa?
Dubai Work Visa for Indian Citizens
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must be at least 18 years of age
Indian passport with a validity of at least six months
A confirmed job offer from a company based in Dubai or another Emirate. This employer shall act as the visa sponsor (and also sign a labor contract with the applicant)
The applicant’s credentials (qualifications, work experience, skills, and professional certificates) should align with the job requirements. This must be attested by the appropriate authorities in India and the UAE
Medical examination clearance including tests for communicable diseases such as TB, HIV/AIDS, etc.
Police clearance for criminal records or legal cases
The applicant must hold or apply for a residency visa (this is typically arranged by the employer)
Documents Required
A valid passport with at least two blank pages
Recent passport-sized color photographs with a white background
Completed and signed visa application form
A copy of the employment contract or job offer (in the specified format) from an employer based in Dubai. The employer also sponsors the applicant’s work permit
Attested copies of educational certificates, courses, and work experience
Recent bank statements as proof of financial stability
Medical fitness certificate from an authorized healthcare center
Police clearance certificate (after background verification for criminal records)
International Travel Insurance (not mandatory but recommended)
How to Apply for a Dubai Work Visa?
Determine the type of work permit you need and check whether you fulfill the specific requirements for the same
Get sponsorship for your work visa after getting a job offer from your prospective employer in Dubai
Sign an employment contract with the employer outlining the terms & conditions including job description, compensation, working hours, and the contract duration
Visit a healthcare center in India (approved by the Dubai Health Authority) to undergo a medical examination
Gather all the required documents. Visit the official website of GDRFA – Dubai. Complete the online visa application form accurately and upload the necessary documents
Pay the visa application fee online and save the payment receipt for your future reference
The processing and approval of your work visa can take a few weeks. If approved, you can make the necessary arrangements and travel to Dubai
Visa Fees for Dubai Work Visa
How Long Does it Take to Get a Dubai Work Visa?
The processing time for a work permit is dependent on the visa type. However, it takes approximately 10 to 15 working days to get a Dubai work visa.
Dubai Visit Visa for Indian Citizens
Required Documents
A valid passport with at least two blank pages
Recent passport-sized color photographs with a white background
Completed online visa application form along with visa fee payment receipt
Travel itinerary with confirmed round-trip flight tickets
Hotel reservations, lease agreement, or an invitation letter from a host in the UAE (as proof of accommodation)
Latest bank statements (3-6 months) as proof of financial means to cover the expenses in Dubai
Sponsor’s documents such as passport, Emirates ID, residence visa, etc. (for sponsored visa)
Additional documents such as proof of employment, business, or income tax returns
International Travel Insurance (not mandatory but recommended)
How to Apply for a Dubai Visit Visa?
Visit the official website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) or the ICA Smart Services. New users must create an account
Gather scanned copies of all the required documents as listed in the previous section
Log in to your account and complete the online visa application form with accurate details
Upload the documents and pay the visa application fee using your credit card or debit card. Review the information and click ‘Submit’
The applicants receive a confirmation email with a tracking number. The processing usually takes 3 to 5 working days for a regular visit visa
After processing and approval, the visa will be emailed to you as a PDF document. You can print a copy of the same to present it upon your arrival in Dubai
Visa Fees for Dubai Visit Visa
| Visa Type | Fee (AED) | Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Entry (30 Days) | 336 | 7,690 |
| Single-Entry (60 Days) | 655 | 14,990 |
| Multiple-Entry (30 Days) | 500 | 11,440 |
| Multiple-Entry (60 Days) | 850 | 19,450 |
How Long Does it Take to Get a Dubai Visit Visa?
The processing time for a standard Dubai visit visa is around 3 to 5 working days. An express tourist visa is generally issued within 24 to 48 hours. Please note that an additional fee is charged for the express visa service.
Common Visa Rejection Reasons and How to Avoid Them?
Incomplete or Inaccurate Information
Missing details, data mismatch, and mistakes in the application form top the list of reasons for visa rejection. This can be avoided by double-checking all the information on your application and ensuring consistency across all documents.
Passport Validity Issues
A Dubai visa application is rejected if the passport is invalid or the validity is less than six months. Please ensure that your passport has a longer validity. You can renew the passport before applying if it is about to expire.
Incorrect Visa Type
Visa applications that do not align with the purpose of your visit are typically rejected by the authorities. You must take care to choose the right visa type based on your travel purpose and length of stay in Dubai.
Documentation Issues
A Dubai visa application is rejected outright if the supporting documents are not in order. (E.g. Poor quality photographs, unclear scanned copies, missing bank statements, inadequate sponsorship documentation, etc). These issues can be avoided by reading the visa guidelines thoroughly, preparing a document checklist, and ensuring everything is in place as per the requirements.
Insufficient Financial Resources
Lack of money or any irregularity in your bank account including dubious financial transactions can lead to the rejection of a visa application. Applicants must ensure that they have sufficient funds to cover their expenses in Dubai.
Criminal Record
Applicants with a criminal record can be considered a security threat and denied entry into the UAE. So, be transparent about your past and ensure that the police clearance certificate accurately reflects your background. Do not try to conceal or misrepresent your information.
Poor Health
Applicants with serious health conditions or suffering from any infectious disease are usually denied a visa as they are considered a risk to the UAE’s public health system.
Adverse Travel History
Applicants with a history of frequent visa rejections or deportations in other countries may not be issued a Dubai visa. Hence, take care to avoid such hassles by strictly adhering to visa rules and return policies while traveling abroad.
Dubai New Visa Rules - Recent Updates and Changes
All tourist visas can now be extended for 30 days from within the UAE. Visa holders need not leave and re-enter the country to extend their visas.
Visa holders can now extend or cancel their entry permits through a personal online account. The new digital system enables the extension, canceling, and printing of entry permits.
Unused visas must be canceled within the specified period to avoid rejection of new visa applications by the immigration system.
Travelers with UAE visit visas must ensure that they carry at least AED 3,000 in cash/credit, a valid return ticket, and proof of accommodation before boarding their flights.
Health insurance will soon be integrated into the online visa application system to enable tourists to buy health insurance along with their visa applications.
The Work Bundle Platform shall streamline the issuance of work permits and residency visas. This initiative will reduce the processing time from 30 days to just 5 days.
Property investors can obtain a 10-year Golden Visa by investing in property valued at AED 2 million or more. This rule is beneficial for applicants seeking long-term residency in Dubai through real estate investment.
Benefits have been enhanced under the UAE Green Visa system. This includes providing longer grace periods of up to 6 months after visa expiration or cancelation to support family members.
The duration of work permits issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiritisation (MoHRE) shall be enhanced from two years to three years.
A new long-term visa scheme called the ‘Blue Residency’ has been launched to offer a 10-year residency visa to individuals who play a significant role in environmental conservation.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dubai Tourist Visa
Yes. Indian citizens require a valid visa to visit Dubai. The type of visa depends on the purpose and duration of the trip. The UAE tourist e-visa, with a validity of 60 days, is a popular choice for short trips.
A 30-day single-entry tourist visa to Dubai costs around Rs.7,300; a 60-day single-entry tourist visa costs around Rs. 14,700.
A 14-day Dubai tourist visa costs between Rs.7,000 to Rs.10,000 depending on the visa type and agency services.
There is no fixed minimum bank balance requirement for a Dubai visa. However, applicants are recommended to maintain a balance of Rs.50,000 to Rs.60,000 for at least six months before they apply for a Dubai visa.
Yes. You can get a Dubai visa in one day by availing of the rush processing service. This service costs around $160 (approx. Rs.13,500).
A tourist visa is primarily for leisure and recreational activities. However, a visit visa allows travelers to undertake a broader range of activities such as tourism, family visits, business meetings, training, etc. A UAE visit visa also has a longer validity period than a tourist visa.
A Dubai visa-on-arrival facility is available to Indian citizens only if they are US green card holders or if they have a visa issued by the US/UK/EU. The Dubai visa on arrival is valid for a maximum stay of 14 days.
You can extend your Dubai tourist visa twice for 30 days through the ICP Smart App or your travel agent. The permit is issued electronically within 48 hours of your application.
A Dubai tourist visa allows Indian citizens to stay in the country for up to 60 days.
The validity of a Dubai employment visa for Indian citizens depends on the type of visa, A standard work visa in Dubai (that is sponsored by an employer) is valid for 2-3 years.
Yes. A Dubai visitor visa does require a sponsor. An individual (relative or friend) or an organization (company, hotel, airline, or any other entity based in the UAE) can sponsor a visit visa on your behalf.
The Dubai visa processing time for Indian passport holders in the UAE depends on the type of visa. The average processing time for a tourist visa to Dubai is 3 to 5 working days.
No. It is not mandatory to get travel insurance for a Dubai visa. However, it is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance to cover the risks of medical emergencies and other untoward incidents while you are traveling abroad.
