Dubai is one of the easiest international trips from India, and the visa is handled online with no embassy visit. This guide explains who gets visa on arrival, what the tourist visa costs, the documents, and how to apply from Bengaluru, Chennai or Coimbatore. Every fee and rule was checked on official UAE government pages in September 2026.
Yes, most Indian passport holders need a UAE visa before they fly to Dubai. The exception is Indians who hold certain valid foreign visas, residence permits or green cards. They can get a visa on arrival. Everyone else applies online for a tourist visa through a UAE airline, a licensed travel agent, a hotel or the government portals.
The UAE's official portal says the tourist visa is for travellers not eligible for visa on arrival or visa-free entry. It also says UAE embassies do not issue tourist visas (u.ae, Tourist visa).
Yes, if they hold an ordinary Indian passport plus a valid visa, residence permit or green card from the United States, the United Kingdom or the European Union. Since 13 February 2025, valid residence permits from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Singapore also qualify. Indians without one of these documents must apply in advance.
The expansion was announced by the UAE Embassy in New Delhi. Dubai's residency authority, GDRFA, sets out the details for US, UK and EU document holders (GDRFA Dubai, Visa on arrival for citizens of India). As of September 2026, GDRFA lists these rules:
Check before you fly: Some news reports in mid-2026 say UK visas and residence permits no longer qualify Indians for visa on arrival. The official GDRFA and UAE Embassy pages linked above still list the UK as of 20 September 2026. If a UK document is your only route, confirm with your airline first or apply for a tourist visa instead.
As of September 2026, GDRFA Dubai lists a single-entry tourist visa at AED 200 for 30 days or AED 300 for 60 days. A multiple-entry tourist visa costs AED 300 for 30 days or AED 500 for 60 days. VAT of 5% applies on top. Airlines and agents who apply for you may add their own service charge.
| Visa type | Government fee (as of September 2026) | Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Single-entry tourist visa, 30 days | AED 200 + 5% VAT (GDRFA) | About 48 hours |
| Single-entry tourist visa, 60 days | AED 300 + 5% VAT (GDRFA) | About 48 hours |
| Multiple-entry tourist visa, 30 days | AED 300 + 5% VAT (GDRFA) | About 48 hours |
| Multiple-entry tourist visa, 60 days | AED 500 + 5% VAT (GDRFA) | About 48 hours |
| Visa on arrival, pre-approved online (US/UK/EU document holders) | AED 253 (GDRFA) | About 48 hours |
| Transit visa, 48 or 96 hours | Arranged by UAE airlines. Check the fee with your airline (u.ae) | Must be approved before you land |
GDRFA notes the total can vary, and extra charges apply if you are already inside the UAE. The rupee cost depends on the exchange rate and your card's markup. See our forex guide.
For a Dubai tourist visa you need a clear copy of your passport, valid for at least 6 months, and one recent photo with a white background. You also need an onward or return ticket and medical insurance that is valid in the UAE. The visa must be sponsored by a UAE airline, a hotel or a licensed tourism company.
Sources: GDRFA single-entry tourist visa and u.ae. Also see our international travel checklist.
Yes. GDRFA lists medical insurance valid in the UAE as a condition for both single-entry and multiple-entry tourist visas. The 5-year tourist visa also needs a health policy valid in the UAE for 180 days. Buy a policy that covers hospital treatment in the UAE for every day of your trip.
Treat insurance as real protection, not just a visa formality. Our travel insurance guide for Indians explains what cover to choose.
You apply online from anywhere in India, with no embassy visit. Book your flight on Emirates, Etihad or flydubai and use the airline's visa service, or ask a licensed travel agent or your UAE hotel to apply. You can also apply directly through the ICP or GDRFA portals. The e-visa usually arrives by email in about 48 hours.
The UAE portal advises checking that any travel agent is genuine before sending documents or money. For sightseeing, see our Dubai travel guide.
Yes. The UAE issues a 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa to all nationalities, including Indians. Each visit can last up to 90 days, and you can extend it for another 90 days. You need a bank balance of USD 4,000, or the same in another currency, over the last six months, UAE-valid health insurance and a return ticket.
Source: u.ae, Tourist visa. It suits frequent visitors.
Only if you are eligible for visa on arrival. Otherwise, you need a transit visa approved before you land. The UAE issues transit visas for 48 or 96 hours through UAE-based airlines, travel agencies or airport hotels. They are single-entry and cannot be extended. The portal asks for one only if you step out of the airport.
Source: u.ae, Transit visa.
Most Dubai visa problems are avoidable paperwork issues. Common causes are a passport with less than 6 months' validity, a blurred passport scan or photo, a name that doesn't match the passport, a past overstay or absconding record in the UAE, or applying through an unlicensed agent. Checking these before you apply prevents most delays.
A valid US visa can also make you eligible for UAE visa on arrival. See our USA visa guide for Indians.
Yes, GDRFA lists extension and renewal services for tourist visas. A visa on arrival for eligible Indians can be extended once for 14 days. Apply before your permitted stay ends to avoid overstay fines.
No. As of September 2026, GDRFA Dubai states there is no security deposit for single-entry or multiple-entry tourist visas. You pay only the visa fee, VAT and any service charge.
Processing usually takes about 48 hours, but apply one to two weeks before travel. That leaves time to fix a rejected photo or scan, especially around Diwali, Christmas and New Year.
No. GDRFA requires the US visa or green card to be valid for at least 6 months. An expired or nearly expired US visa does not qualify, so apply for a tourist visa instead.
Yes. Each traveller, including infants, applies individually with their own passport copy and photo, which GDRFA requires from every applicant.
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