🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates tourist visa for Indians 2026
Tourism, visiting family and friends, conferences and business trips. Facts verified against United Arab Emirates's official pages; see the source at the end.
Yes. Indians need a visa before a short visit to United Arab Emirates. Indian passport holders need a visa to enter the UAE for tourism, business meetings or conferences.
Quick facts
- Visa
- UAE Tourist Visa (30 or 60 days)
- Maximum stay
- 30 or 60 days
- Government fee
- about $57
- Processing time
- Up to a week
- Paid work
- Not allowed
- Business or conference
- Covered
Where Indians apply
Most travellers use the pre-arranged tourist visa: a UAE airline (Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia), hotel or licensed travel agent sponsors the application through the federal ICP or GDRFA Dubai system and the entry permit is normally issued within 48 hours as a PDF.
Fee and processing time
The Dubai GDRFA government fee is AED 200 for a 30-day single-entry visa and AED 300 for 60 days, plus 5% VAT, with agents adding a service charge; multiple-entry versions cost AED 300 and AED 500.
That is about $57 in US dollars at the time of verification; the official fee is set in local currency.
Travelling for business or a conference?
Business visitors use the same tourist visa but should carry a host or organiser invitation on letterhead.
Documents and steps
- Check your passport has at least six months validityPassport and any qualifying US/EU document must have at least six months validity on arrival.
- Check whether you qualify for visa on arrivalUS visa or green card, EU and six other countries qualify for VoA; UK-only documents no longer do since July 2026.
- Choose a sponsor: airline, hotel or licensed travel agentDubai government fee is AED 200 for 30 days or AED 300 for 60 days plus 5% VAT; agents add a service charge.
- Prepare a white-background photo and passport scansWhite-background passport photo plus colour scans of the passport bio and address pages.
- Book a confirmed return ticket and your accommodationA confirmed return ticket and a hotel booking or host's Emirates ID copy are checked at boarding.
- Arrange funds proof and travel insurance covering the UAECarry at least AED 3,000 in cash or card plus travel medical insurance valid in the UAE.
- If travelling for business or a conference: get an invitation letterBusiness visitors use the same tourist visa but should carry a host or organiser invitation on letterhead.
- Submit the application and receive the e-visa within about 48 hoursStandard GDRFA processing is 48 hours; the e-visa must be used within 60 days of issue.
- On arrival: immigration checks and your stay limitOverstay fine is AED 50 per day; one 30-day extension is possible through ICP before expiry.
The full checklist with timing, dependencies and personalised due dates is part of the paid plan. Start with the free quiz and pick “Visit” as your purpose.
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Plan my visitFrequently asked questions
- Do Indians need a visa for United Arab Emirates?
- Yes. Indians need a visa before a short visit to United Arab Emirates. Indian passport holders need a visa to enter the UAE for tourism, business meetings or conferences.
- How long can Indians stay in United Arab Emirates as a visitor?
- 30 or 60 days under the UAE Tourist Visa (30 or 60 days). Paid work is not allowed on a visitor stay.
- How much does the United Arab Emirates UAE Tourist Visa (30 or 60 days) cost for Indians?
- The Dubai GDRFA government fee is AED 200 for a 30-day single-entry visa and AED 300 for 60 days, plus 5% VAT, with agents adding a service charge; multiple-entry versions cost AED 300 and AED 500.
- How long does the United Arab Emirates UAE Tourist Visa (30 or 60 days) take for Indians?
- Most travellers use the pre-arranged tourist visa: a UAE airline (Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia), hotel or licensed travel agent sponsors the application through the federal ICP or GDRFA Dubai system and the entry permit is normally issued within 48 hours as a PDF.
- Can Indians attend a conference or business meeting in United Arab Emirates on this visa?
- Business visitors use the same tourist visa but should carry a host or organiser invitation on letterhead.
- Can Indians work in United Arab Emirates on a visitor stay?
- No. Visitor entry covers tourism, family visits, business meetings and conferences only. To take a job, study or settle, Indians need one of the longer-stay routes compared in our United Arab Emirates visa guide for Indians.
Thinking of staying longer?
A visitor stay never allows paid work. Indians who want to work, study or settle in United Arab Emirates have 2 main routes, compared in the United Arab Emirates visa guide for Indians.
United Arab Emirates for Indians, in depth
Visiting other countries as Indians
Visiting United Arab Emirates from elsewhere
Always confirm entry rules with the official government source. Fees and stay limits change; this guide is general information, not legal advice.