In a major development for Indian travellers, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced a new visa-on-arrival policy, allowing easier entry for individuals holding valid permanent resident cards or visas from the United States, United Kingdom, or any European Union country. This change provides a 14-day visa-on-arrival for eligible Indian nationals upon their arrival in the UAE.
The decision comes as part of the growing partnership between India and the UAE, where over 3.5 million Indians currently reside. This policy shift is seen as a step towards enhancing travel and business opportunities between the two nations.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP) announced on Thursday, October 17, that Indian passport holders with standard (ordinary) passports are now eligible for visa-on-arrival at all UAE entry points. Previously, this privilege was only extended to Indian citizens with residence permits from these countries.
The new visa-on-arrival eligibility criteria include the following:
A valid visa, residence permit, or green card issued by the United States.
A valid visa or residence permit issued by any European Union country or the United Kingdom.
A passport with at least six months of validity.
Travellers meeting these requirements will be granted a 14-day visa upon arrival, which can be extended for an additional 60 days upon payment of the required fees.
This streamlined process aims to make travel to the UAE more accessible for Indian citizens, further solidifying the UAE’s role as a key destination for Indian tourists, business professionals, and expatriates.
