If you hold an Indian passport and want to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for tourism, work, or to meet family, you now have more options than ever. This guide explains every main way to get a UAE visa from India, including the new free appointment portal launched by the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai for passport, visa and attestation services.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 – includes the new Indian Embassy/Consulate direct booking system for consular services in UAE (operational from 1 July 2026). Always re-check official sites for the latest rules before you apply.
1. UAE visa basics for Indian travellers
The UAE (including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, etc.) does not offer visa-on-arrival for most Indian citizens. You usually need to arrange a visa before you travel, unless you:
- Hold a valid US visa (B1/B2, etc.) or green card, or
- Hold a valid UK or EU residence permit
In those special cases, some Indian travellers may be eligible for a UAE visa on arrival; however, rules can change. Check the latest eligibility on the official UAE Government Portal and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai before relying on this.
For everyone else, you typically use one of these routes:
- Tourist / visit visa via airline or hotel (most common)
- Tourist / visit visa via UAE-based travel agency
- Employment / work visa via a UAE employer
- Student visa via a UAE university or college
- Family residence visa if you are sponsored by a family member in UAE
This guide focuses mainly on tourist/visit visas from India, then summarises work, student, and family options.
> Note: The new Indian Embassy portal in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate in Dubai is for Indian consular services in the UAE (Indian passport, attestation, some visa services concerning India), not for getting a UAE visa itself. It’s still important for long-stay residents and those needing emergency help while in UAE.
2. New: Free Indian Embassy & Consulate booking portal in UAE
From 1 July 2026, the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India, Dubai have started a direct, free online appointment portal.
This matters for you if:
- You are already in UAE (on tourist, visit, work, or residence visa), and
- You need Indian consular services like:
- New or renewed Indian passport
- Emergency travel document
- Attestation of documents (marriage, degree, power of attorney, etc.)
- Certain Indian visa or OCI-related services
Key points about the new portal
- No intermediary fee: You book directly with the Embassy/Consulate, so there is no outsourcing agency appointment fee. You still pay the official consular fee only.
- Where to access: Use the official websites:
- Indian Embassy Abu Dhabi
- CGI Dubai
- What to do before going:
- Book an online slot
- Print or save the appointment confirmation
- Carry all required originals and photocopies
This does not replace the UAE’s own visa procedures, but it makes Indian consular help easier and cheaper once you are in the country. For comparison on how consular processes shape a trip, see our detailed visa deep dive for another country: How to Apply for a Georgia Visa from India.
3. Types of UAE visit visas for Indians
Naming and duration can vary slightly by emirate and over time, so always verify on official portals. Common options for Indians are:
- Short-term tourist visa (often 30 days)
- Long-term tourist visa (often 60 or 90 days)
- Multiple-entry tourist/visit visas (e.g., 30 days x multiple entries within a certain validity)
- Transit visa (for certain connecting flights and airlines)
These are usually sponsored by:
- A UAE airline (e.g., Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, flydubai)
- A UAE-based hotel
- A licensed UAE travel agency or tour operator
- A resident or citizen (for family visit/longer stays), through official immigration portals
As of the latest update, most tourist visas are now e-visas, sent by email as a PDF that you print and carry.
4. Documents required for a UAE tourist/visit visa
Requirements may differ slightly by airline or agent, but typically you need:
- Passport
- Indian passport valid at least 6 months from your date of entry.
- At least two blank pages.
- Photographs
- Recent colour passport-size photos.
- White background, as per UAE guidelines (often 35x45 mm; check the specific portal).
- Completed visa application form
- If using airline/hotel/agent, they’ll provide an online form.
- Confirmed return flight ticket
- Usually mandatory to show you intend to leave.
- Hotel booking / accommodation proof
- Confirmed hotel reservation, or
- Invitation letter and Emirates ID copy from host (for family/friends visit).
- Bank statements / proof of funds (if asked)
- Usually last 3–6 months’ statement with sufficient balance.
- PAN card and/or Aadhaar copy (occasionally requested)
- Travel insurance
- Strongly recommended; sometimes required depending on visa type and airline.
- For minors (under 18)
- Birth certificate copy
- Consent letter from parents if not travelling together, plus parents’ ID.
Always check the exact list with your chosen airline, agent, or the official UAE e-visa portal for your emirate (e.g., ICP Smart Services or GDRFA Dubai).
5. How to apply via airline (Emirates, Etihad, etc.)
For many Indians, the simplest way to get a UAE visa from India is through a UAE-based airline you are flying with.
Step-by-step (typical airline process)
- Book your flight
- Choose a UAE-based carrier like Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, or flydubai.
- Check their visa services page
- Each airline has a dedicated visa assistance page explaining types, fees, and processing time.
- Create an account / log in
- Use your booking reference (PNR) to access the visa application section.
- Fill out the visa form online
- Enter passport details, travel dates, address in UAE, etc.
- Upload documents
- Scan of passport, photo, tickets, hotel booking, etc.
- Pay visa fee online
- Fee varies by visa type and airline; you can usually pay by international debit/credit card.
- Wait for processing
- Processing times differ. As of the latest updates, common ranges advertised by airlines are 3–5 working days for standard tourist visas, with express options sometimes available.
- Receive e-visa by email
- Print at least one physical copy and also keep a soft copy on your phone.
Costs (approximate, in INR)
Exact visa fees change regularly and differ by airline and duration. As of the latest update:
- A single-entry short tourist visa often falls in a band roughly equivalent to ₹6,000–₹10,000 per person when converted from AED, including some service charges.
- Longer or multiple-entry visas cost more.
Always verify the current fee on the airline’s own visa page before paying. Avoid third-party websites that are not linked from the official airline site.
6. Applying via UAE-based hotel or travel agency
If you are booking a holiday package, the hotel or a UAE travel agency can sponsor your visa.
Typical process
- Choose a reputable hotel/agency
- Look for hotels that clearly offer visa assistance on their own website, or licensed agencies based in UAE.
- Book your stay / package
- Many will only sponsor a visa if you book accommodation or tours with them.
- Send documents
- Passport scan, photo, travel dates, etc.
- Pay visa + service fee
- Often similar to airline visa cost, but can include extra agency charges.
- Receive your e-visa by email.
Use caution: visa scams do exist. Stick to well-known brands and cross-check that the agency is licensed with UAE tourism authorities.
7. Work, student, and family visas (overview)
Work / employment visa
- Sponsored by a UAE employer.
- Employer applies through UAE immigration (ICP or emirate-specific system).
- You usually receive an entry permit, then complete medical tests and Emirates ID formalities after landing.
- Visa validity often 1–2 years, renewable, but details vary by profession and emirate.
Student visa
- Sponsored by a UAE university/college.
- You must first receive admission.
- The institution guides you on documents (educational records, financial proof, passport, photos) and applies for your visa.
Family residence visa
- If your spouse/parent works in UAE and meets income and housing requirements, they may sponsor you.
- Process involves:
- Entry permit
- Medical tests
- Emirates ID and residency stamping
For all these categories, always follow instructions from the employer, university, or sponsoring relative, and double-check rules on official portals like UAE ICP and relevant emirate immigration sites.
8. Processing time and tracking
- Tourist/visit visas: Often processed within 3–7 working days when applied through airlines/hotels/agencies, though delays can happen.
- Work/family/student visas: Timelines vary widely; your sponsor in UAE will have the most accurate estimates.
You can usually track your visa using:
- Application reference number from your airline, agency, or sponsor.
- Immigration reference on portals like ICP or GDRFA, depending on which system handled the application.
9. Common mistakes Indian travellers should avoid
Many issues we see with UAE visa applications from India are similar to those in other destinations we’ve covered, such as Georgia visa from India. Key pitfalls:
- Last-minute applications
- Applying just a few days before travel increases stress and risk of denial or delay.
- Incomplete or unclear scans
- Blurry passport scans or wrong-sized photos can lead to rejections or re-submission.
- Mismatched details
- Name, passport number, and date of birth must match exactly across:
- Passport
- Flight ticket
- Visa application
- Overstaying your visa
- Fines for overstaying are significant and can affect future travel.
- Keep track of your last permitted day in UAE and leave or extend in time.
- Trusting unverified agents
- Many unofficial agents in India claim to arrange “guaranteed” UAE visas.
- Use airlines, known hotel chains, or licensed agencies only.
- Ignoring travel insurance
- Hospitalisation in UAE can be expensive. A good policy is essential, especially if you plan activities like desert safaris or water sports.
For wider safety thinking, especially when booking experiences abroad, our piece on a tragic tour incident in Vietnam offers useful context: Vietnam Boat Accident With Indian Tourists: What Travellers Should Know.
10. At the airport: what to carry
When flying from India to UAE, keep these handy in your cabin baggage:
- Printed UAE e-visa
- Passport (with at least 6 months validity)
- Return ticket printout or e-copy
- Hotel booking or host details
- Travel insurance policy copy
- Sufficient cash or international card
Indian immigration officers may also ask about your purpose of travel and how you’ll support yourself. Answer clearly and calmly.
11. UAE entry, stay and exit tips for Indians
- Immigration interview: Dubai and Abu Dhabi officers usually ask basic questions: purpose of visit, duration, where you’ll stay.
- Local laws: UAE is safe but conservative. Respect dress codes in religious sites, avoid public drunkenness, and be careful with social media posts.
- ID while outside: Keep a passport copy with you; keep the original in your hotel safe when possible.
- Emergency help: If you lose your passport or face legal trouble, contact the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi or CGI Dubai immediately. Thanks to the new booking portal, scheduling follow-up visits is now easier and cheaper.
For broader thinking about staying safe in unfamiliar cities, see our backgrounder on urban crime and travellers: Triple Murder in Bengaluru and Safety for Travellers.
12. Key official links for UAE visa information
Always verify the latest rules here:
- UAE Government portal – visas: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id
- UAE ICP Smart Services (many visa/residence services): https://icp.gov.ae/en/
- GDRFA Dubai (Dubai immigration): https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en
- Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi: https://www.indembassyuae.gov.in/
- Consulate General of India, Dubai: https://www.cgidubai.gov.in/
Bookmark these before you start your UAE visa from India process, and re-check them close to your travel dates for any fee, form, or policy changes.
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