Dubai Visa on Arrival for Indians 2026: Easy Eligibility Guide, Fees & Requirements
The Dubai visa on arrival for Indians is not available to all Indian passport holders. An ordinary Indian passport can only be used in conjunction with a valid visa, resident permit, or US Green Card from the United States, the European Union, or the United Kingdom, or a valid residence permit from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore, or New Zealand. Before you may go, you must obtain a tourist visa; an Indian passport is not enough.
One point matters before you book. The UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) lists this route as an entry visa for nationals of certain countries, applied for through ICP Smart Services, with a service completion time of 2 days. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls the same scheme “visa on arrival”. Both ICP and GDRFA Dubai describe an online application, so apply before you travel.
Can Indian Passport Holders Obtain a Dubai Visa on Arrival?
Only some can. ICP limits the route to Indian nationals with ordinary passports, and their family members, who hold one of the qualifying documents listed below. The route does not cover an Indian passport held alone.
Holding a qualifying document is one condition. GDRFA Dubai also states that the traveller must have no restriction that prevents entry to the UAE.
Who Is Eligible for a UAE Visa on Arrival for Indians?
| Your documents | What the official pages say | Check before applying |
| US Green Card + Indian Passport | ICP-listed | Cards with a minimum six-month validity period (GDRFA Dubai, UAE Embassy) |
| Indian passport + US visa or US residence permit | Listed by ICP (“visa, residence permit, or US Green Card”) | At least six months of validity (GDRFA Dubai, UAE Embassy) |
| Indian passport + EU residence permit | Listed by ICP | Validity of at least 6 months (GDRFA Dubai, UAE Embassy) |
| Indian passport + UK residence permit | Listed by ICP, but July 2026 media reports say UK-only holders are losing eligibility | Confirm in the portal before booking (see note below) |
| Only an Indian passport and a UK or EU visa (no residence permit) | ICP service pages list “visa”, while GDRFA Dubai and the UAE Embassy name only residence visas or permits for the UK and EU | Confirm in the portal before booking |
| A residence permit from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore, or New Zealand combined with an Indian passport | Listed by ICP, residence permit only | No validity figure is published for these permits, so keep 6 months as a safe target |
| A visit visa from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore, or New Zealand combined with an Indian passport | Not listed. ICP names only residence permits for these countries | Apply for a tourist visa |
| Indian passport only | Not eligible | Apply for a tourist visa |
Note on UK documents. ICP’s service pages and its 25 June 2026 announcement still list the United Kingdom. Separate media reports from July 2026, citing ICP guidance, say Indians holding only a UK visa or UK residence permit will lose eligibility. No ICP notice confirming this has been published, and the effective date is unclear. If your only qualifying document is from the UK, check the ICP portal before you book flights.
Note on the June 2026 announcement. The announcement says applicants must hold a valid residence permit. It describes the new nationalities added to the scheme, while the India-specific ICP service page continues to list “visa, residence permit, or US Green Card”. Where the two differ, the service page is more specific, so confirm your document type in the portal.
Dubai Visa on Arrival Requirements for Indians
ICP lists these requirements for the 14-day and 60-day services:
- A regular Indian passport with a minimum six-month validity.
- A personal photo. ICP’s photo rules are covered in our UAE visa photo size guide.
- a copy of your visa, green card, or residency permit.
- An ICP Smart Services UAE Pass login.
GDRFA Dubai asks for a personal photo with a white background and a registered user account on its portal.
ICP also sets a pre-entry validity of 30 days. This is the period after issue in which the visa can be used to enter the UAE, so apply close to your travel date.
ICP’s service wording includes family members of eligible Indian nationals. Confirm in the portal which documents each family member needs to upload.
How to Apply Step by Step
- Compare your qualifying papers and passport to the above table.
- Log in to ICP Smart Services with UAE Pass and start the 14-day or 60-day entry visa service for nationals of certain countries.
- Review the application form and correct any retrieved data if needed.
- Upload your passport, photo and a copy of your visa, residence permit or Green Card if the system cannot retrieve the data automatically.
- Pay the fees and receive the visa. ICP lists the service completion time as 2 days.
ICP or GDRFA Dubai: Which Channel to Use
ICP Smart Services is the federal channel. GDRFA Dubai also publishes its own service for Indian citizens holding a US Green Card or a UK or EU residence visa. Its steps are: log in to the GDRFA Dubai smart services portal, register as a user, choose the service, fill in the data, pay the fees, and receive the visa by email after approval. GDRFA Dubai lists a completion time of 48 hours.
The GDRFA Dubai page covers the 14-day visa only and shows no update date. Its fee and details can differ from the ICP route, so check the amount shown in the portal before paying. If you are landing in Dubai, compare both portals and use the one that accepts your case.
Dubai Visa on Arrival Fees and Stay Duration
| Detail | 14-day visa | 60-day visa |
| Issuance fee | AED 100 | AED 250 |
| Smart services fee | AED 100 | AED 100 |
| Total listed on the ICP service page | AED 200 | AED 350 |
| Stay | 14 days from entry | 60 days from entry |
| Pre-entry validity | 30 days | 30 days |
| Extension | Once, for the same duration | Not extendable |
| Entries | Not stated on the ICP service page | Single entry |
| Overstay fine | AED 50 per day | AED 50 per day |
The ICP announcement and the UAE Embassy page quote AED 100 for the 14-day visa and AED 250 for the 60-day visa. These match the issuance fee only. The ICP service pages add a separate AED 100 smart services fee, so the payment screen is the final reference. If you overstay, see our UAE overstay fine guide.
Is it possible to obtain a visa at the airport counter?
No official UAE page states that the visa is issued at the airport counter without a prior application. The ICP and GDRFA Dubai service pages both describe an online application. The UAE Embassy in Washington uses the wording “upon arrival” for Indian citizens with qualifying documents, and advises travellers to confirm with their airline. Applying first and carrying the approval with your passport and qualifying papers is the safest course of action.
How to Get a 14-Day Visa Extension
Once, the 14-day visa may be extended for an additional 14 days. ICP lists the extension as a separate service on its Smart App and website, with UAE Pass login, passport, photo and the same documents used at issuance. The fees listed are AED 250 for extending this visa plus an AED 100 application fee for visa extensions, and the payment screen shows the final total. The 60-day visa cannot be extended.
What Happens If You Arrive Without a Visa?
Apply for a tourist visa before travelling. The UAE Embassy in Washington notes that a tourist visa is processed through visa agents or hotels in the UAE, and that you should hold a copy before you fly.
Visa on Arrival vs Tourist Visa for Indians
For Indian applicants with valid residency documentation, the UAE visa upon arrival is an entrance visa; for all other applicants, a tourist visa is appropriate.
| Detail | Entry visa (visa on arrival route) | Tourist visa |
| Who | Indians with approved residence documents | Everyone else |
| Timing | Apply online before travel, 2 days listed by ICP | Apply before travel |
| Stay | 14 or 60 days | Depends on the visa chosen |
| Verify at | ICP or GDRFA Dubai | Visa agent or hotel, plus official guidance |
Common Mistakes Indian Travellers Should Avoid
- Assuming an Indian passport is enough.
- Treating a visitation visa from South Korea, Japan, Australia, Canada, Singapore, or New Zealand as a residency permit. ICP only lists resident permits for these countries.
- Traveling without first checking the ICP site using merely a UK document.
- Waiting for the airport counter instead of applying first.
- Letting the passport or supporting document fall below 6 months of validity.
- Keeping only AED 100 or AED 250 in mind and ignoring the AED 100 smart services fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dubai visa on arrival for Indians available to all Indian passport holders?
No. Additionally, you must have a US Green Card, residence permit, or qualifying visa from a recognized nation.
If I have a valid US visa, am I eligible?
ICP’s service pages list “visa” for the US, and the UAE Embassy names US visas. The June 2026 announcement speaks only of residence permits, so confirm your document type in the portal.
Can a US Green Card qualify me?
Yes. ICP lists the US Green Card.
Can someone with a UK residence permit qualify?
ICP pages still list the UK, while July 2026 media reports say UK-only holders are losing eligibility. Check the ICP portal before booking.
What passport validity is required?
At least 6 months. GDRFA Dubai and the UAE Embassy apply the same 6 months to the supporting US, UK and EU documents.
How much does it cost?
ICP lists AED 100 issuance plus AED 100 smart services for the 14-day visa (AED 200), and AED 250 issuance plus AED 100 smart services for the 60-day visa (AED 350). The payment screen shows the final total.
Can I extend my stay?
The 14-day visa is eligible for one 14-day extension. The 60-day visa cannot be extended.
How long does it take to process a Dubai visa on arrival?
ICP lists 2 days and GDRFA Dubai lists 48 hours. Apply well before your flight.
Is the 60-day visa multiple entry?
No. ICP describes it as a single-entry visa.
What if I do not qualify?
Apply for a tourist visa before you travel.
Where can I verify the latest rules?
On the ICP service pages, the ICP announcement page and the GDRFA Dubai service page listed below.
Note: ICP, GDRFA Dubai and other UAE portals update menus, requirements and fees from time to time. Follow the official portal for the latest rules. This guide is independent and not affiliated with any UAE authority.
