Middle East
Indian passport holders need a visa before travelling to the UAE unless they qualify for the limited 14-day visa on arrival. A tourist visa is not lodged at an embassy: it is issued electronically through a UAE-based sponsor such as an airline, a licensed tourism company or a hotel. The immigration authority looks at passport validity, an onward or return ticket and medical cover.
Where to apply: Through a UAE sponsor: a UAE airline you are flying with, a licensed UAE tourism establishment or travel agent, or a hotel. The decision is made by the immigration authority (GDRFA in Dubai, ICP for other emirates). Indians holding a US visa or green card, or a UK or EU residence visa, valid for at least 6 months, can use the 14-day visa-on-arrival service instead.
Ordinary passport valid for at least six months.
Clear colour scan of the data page, uploaded by the sponsor.
One recent personal photo on a white background.
A ticket showing departure from the UAE or continuation of the journey.
Cover that is valid in the UAE for the stay.
A UAE airline, licensed tourism establishment or hotel that files the application for you.
Hotel booking or host address in the UAE; dates should match the ticket.
Paid to the sponsor, who pays the government fee.
US visa or green card, or UK or EU residence visa, valid for at least six months.
Travel medical insurance: The GDRFA terms list medical insurance that is valid in the UAE.
The GDRFA terms for a tourist visa ask for a travel ticket showing you will continue your journey or leave the UAE. Emirates adds that, for visas it arranges, the ticket dates must agree with the hotel dates.
Get it for ₹708The GDRFA document list for the single-entry tourist visa does not name a hotel booking. Sponsors commonly ask for one, and Emirates says the hotel reservation dates must match the ticket dates if you are staying in a hotel.
Get it for ₹590Questions
Yes. The GDRFA terms for a tourist visa mention a ticket to leave the UAE or continue your journey. Sponsors normally want to see the return or onward booking before they file the application.
It is not named in the GDRFA Dubai document list, so it is best described as recommended. In practice sponsors and airline staff often ask where you will stay, and the dates should match your ticket.
Before the sponsor files the application, because the travel dates decide whether you need the 30-day or the 60-day visa. A held reservation lets you fix the dates without paying for a non-refundable fare before the visa is issued.
Only in specific cases. GDRFA Dubai offers a 14-day visa, extendable once, to Indian ordinary passport holders who have a US visa or green card, or a UK or EU residence visa, valid for at least six months. Everyone else needs a visa before departure.
GDRFA Dubai service pages read November 2026; Emirates visa page seen in search results only. Last checked 2026-11. We are not a government body and this page is general information, not visa advice. Consulates change their lists without notice, so always confirm on the official page before you apply.
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