In its quest to attract more tourism, business growth, bring in more talent and investment, the UAE is expanding its visa policies. Easing up the visa policies aids the country in meeting long- term goals such as enhancing International connectivity as well as diversifying its economy.
The UAE government has expanded its visa-on-arrival (VoA) programme since February, 2025 to include more categories of Indian citizens, which comes as good news for Indian travelers. This expansion now allows Indian citizens to get their visa on arrival in the UAE if they possess a regular passport and a valid residence permit from the listed countries.
UAE’s already has an existing policy that allows Indian National to get a Dubai Visit Visa if they have a valid residence permit, green card or visa of United States, European Union, or United Kingdom.The UAE is making it easier for many Indians living abroad to travel by making more people eligible.
Generally, passport holders of many "friendly nations" are granted a visa on arrival or facilitated entry. However, granting it to Indians who live in other countries is a more sophisticated strategy; it views the foreign visa or permit as a form of "trust credential." In this sense, it’s similar to how other countries may ease visa processing for travellers who have already passed screening in trusted jurisdictions.
Now let us go over the specifics, what they mean, and what to look out for below.
What’s Changing: The New Eligibility Criteria
Though the new Dubai Visa on Arrival for Indian Nationals programme is set afloat for short duration stay in UAE, not all Indian travellers qualify for it.
Under the expanded rules, Indian nationals with an ordinary passport who possess a valid residence permit, visa, or a Green Card from any of the following six countries are now capable of getting a visa upon arrival at any UAE airport or entry. The countries are:
- Australia
- Canada
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Republic of Korea
- Singapore
Hence, the Indians who live or work within any of the six nations, do not need to apply for a pre- arrival visa before visiting the UAE.
Duration & Extension
The Dubai Visa on arrival is valid for 14 days and visitors have an option to extend this visa once for an additional 14 days only, if eligible, making it a maximum of 28 days stay duration.
A Dubai visa on arrival is only meant for short visits or tour purposes only. This visa is not aimed for long-term stays for work, business, or residency.
Why This Matters for Indian Travellers
1. Travel Flexibility for Indians This move simplifies travel planning. Indians living in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore or South Korea and also including the already existing countries in the program, USA, UK and the E.U no longer need to pre-apply for a UAE visa before departure. They can simply arrive in Dubai and get their visa. This reduces paperwork, processing time and uncertainty.
2. Better Tie-ups with Indian immigrants There are plenty of Indian Nationals that work, have gone for education or are residing in those six countries. This expansion gives them an opportunity to explore opportunities in the UAE as well, or experience the country as tourists. It’s a recognition of evolving migration and mobility patterns.
3. Strengthening UAE-India Bond For many years Indians have been flocking to the UAE be it as tourists, employees, students, or for business travels. By welcoming Indians around the world by this visa expansion programme, UAE is solidifying its bonds and showcasing the country as a welcoming ground for Indians. It has been publicly mentioned by the UAE Embassy in New Delhi as a very fruitful long term bilateral relationship policy.
Things to Note
Even though the new Dubai Visa on arrival expansion has made travelling to this Middle East country more flexible, there are some aspects tourists must be careful about while planning your trip:
- Validity of the foreign permit or visa: Ensure your visa, residence permits, as well as any other documents, are valid (i.e. not expired or nearing expiry) for up to 6 months after the arrival date to the UAE.
- Duration of stay: The visa is primarily effective only for a stay duration of 14 days, extendable once if acceptable for further 14 days additional.
- Purpose of visit: It is open for tourism or short visits only. It is not meant for residency, employment or studies.
- Entry points: This visa will be issued at all points of entry into the UAE, i.e airports, sea ports and ground borders.
Things to Keep Ready Before You Travel
- Check the status of your foreign permit or visa. Make sure it is valid and will be so for the duration of your planned stay in the United Arab Emirates.
- Check the validity of your passport: Your passport must be valid for typically six months at the time of arrival in the UAE.
- Carry your flight tickets, hotel reservation, proof of your foreign residency permit or visa, sufficient money, and any required supporting documentation when you arrive to UAE.
- Plan your travel duration and apply for your Dubai Visa accordingly for either the 14 day stay duration, which can be extended only once for additional 14 days
- Most importantly before you travel please check either with the UAE embassy, the official website or through a trusted travel agency like musafir.com about any changes or updates on the visa and immigration requirements.
The visa on arrival programme of Dubai is a new initiative that assists to usher more visitors, and fortifies people to people connection among the UAE, and India. Besides attracting tourism, this program also enables the nationals of India to explore the economic scenario, and business atmosphere, further plant the UAE as an international financial, economic, as well as tourism hub.
Expanding eligibility for visa on arrival to UAE from six additional countries for Indian citizens is a traveler-friendly and considerate piece of reforms. It recognises the global spread that Indian mobility has achieved and accommodates Indians abroad who would want to travel to the UAE easily.
If you are planning to travel to the UAE for your next trip and do not fall under the above program category, and would like help in preparing application paperwork, feel free to get in touch with our team at Musafir.com
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