Dubai Visa for Indians
The two routes Indian passports have into Dubai - the pre-arranged tourist visa most travellers need, and the visa on arrival for those holding US, UK or EU documents.
Most Indian passport holders need a pre-arranged visa for Dubai, applied through an airline, hotel or licensed agent before travel and typically processed in 3 to 4 business days. The exception - Indians holding a valid US visa, US green card, or a UK or EU residence permit - can instead get a 14-day visa on arrival for about USD 68. Check the official UAE portal at u.ae before booking.
Dubai runs two different doors for Indian passports, and knowing which one is yours settles most of the confusion. Travellers holding certain US, UK or EU documents can simply land and buy a visa on arrival; everyone else needs a visa arranged before flying - and unlike Vietnam or Singapore, the UAE does not take direct individual tourist applications, so a sponsor applies for you.
This page covers both routes: who qualifies for the arrival visa, how the standard pre-arranged visa works, what it costs, the documents, and the timeline. The official UAE government portal at u.ae is the final word on eligibility.
Dubai Visa Requirements, Fees & Processing Time
The position for Indian citizens:
- Standard route: a pre-arranged tourist visa is required before travel, applied through a sponsor - your airline, hotel or a licensed travel agent
- Processing time: typically 3 to 4 business days once the sponsor files it
- Visa on arrival exception: Indians holding a valid US visa, a US green card, or a UK or EU residence permit can get a visa on arrival for a stay of up to 14 days, for a fee of about USD 68
- Passport: at least six months' validity from arrival
- Where to verify: the official portal at u.ae - eligibility rules for the arrival visa are precise about which documents qualify
Which route are you on?
Visa on arrival applies only if you carry one of the enabling documents - a valid US visitor visa, a US green card, or a residence permit from the UK or EU - alongside your Indian passport. Land in Dubai, queue at the on-arrival counter, pay about USD 68, and you have 14 days. Check that your enabling document has the validity the rules ask for before relying on this route.
Everyone else takes the pre-arranged visa. There is no individual application portal for Indian tourists: a sponsor applies on your behalf. In practice that means one of three doors - the airline you fly (Emirates, Air India and others bundle visas with tickets), the hotel you book, or a licensed travel agent. The visa arrives as a PDF by email; print it and carry it.
How to apply, step by step
- Pick your sponsor - airline visa service, hotel, or a licensed agent. If you have flights booked, the airline's visa desk is usually the cleanest route.
- Submit documents - passport scan (six months' validity), passport-size photo, confirmed return flight, and accommodation details. Some sponsors ask for extra items, which is normal.
- Pay the sponsor's fee - total cost varies by visa duration and sponsor; confirm the full amount up front.
- Wait 3 to 4 business days for the approval PDF by email.
- Print the e-visa and carry it with your passport - immigration asks for it alongside the return ticket.
Documents you need
- Passport valid at least six months beyond arrival
- Passport-size photo on a plain background
- Confirmed return or onward flight
- Hotel booking or host address in the UAE
- For the arrival-visa route: the enabling US, UK or EU document, valid per the current rules
The short version
The Dubai decision is one question: do you hold a valid US visa, green card, or UK/EU residence permit? If yes, fly and take the 14-day visa on arrival for about USD 68. If no, get the visa before flying through your airline, hotel or a licensed agent, and allow 3 to 4 business days. Verify your route on u.ae before booking, then plan the trip itself in Tripmojo.
Rules change - double-check your exact passport and travel dates with the visa checker, then plan the rest of the trip in Tripmojo.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Dubai?
Yes. Most Indian passport holders need a pre-arranged visa applied through a sponsor before travel. Indians holding a valid US visa, US green card, or UK or EU residence permit can instead get a 14-day visa on arrival.
How much does the Dubai visa cost for Indians?
The visa on arrival is about USD 68 for eligible document holders. Pre-arranged visa pricing varies by duration and sponsor - airlines, hotels and agents each set their package - so confirm the full fee before applying.
How long does a Dubai visa take for Indians?
Typically 3 to 4 business days once your sponsor files the application. Apply at least a week before flying to keep a buffer.
Can Indians apply for a Dubai visa directly online?
No - the UAE does not take direct individual tourist applications from Indian passport holders. A sponsor applies for you: your airline, your hotel, or a licensed travel agent.
Which documents let an Indian get the Dubai visa on arrival?
A valid US visitor visa, a US green card, or a residence permit from the UK or EU, carried alongside your passport. The official u.ae portal lists the exact validity rules - check it before relying on this route.
Written and fact-checked by Tripmojo’s editorial team. Drafted with AI assistance, then reviewed by a human before publishing. Visa rules change - always confirm with the official source before you book.
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