I travel to UAE frequently. My twin sister lives in Dubai and hence I make a trip to Dubai at least twice a year.
It is mostly to spend time with the little devil aka the nephew. So many people ask me about the UAE visa requirements for Indian Citizens. What if I told you that it is easy and you can obtain an online UAE visa for Indians through Emirates in 10-15 minutes?
I used to apply for an online UAE visa through Emirates till recently. This is till I realised that I do not have to apply for an online visa since I already have a valid US visa as well. You can obtain a UAE visa for arrival for Indian passorts if you have a valid US visa. I still use the Emirates online UAE visa facility for my parents since they do not have a valid US visa.
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Table Of Contents
- 1 Online UAE Visa For Indians/ Visa On Arrival for Indians with Valid US/Schengen/Uk Visa
- 2 How to apply for an online UAE visa for Indians through Emirates?
- 3 How to avail UAE visa on arrival for Indian passport holders with valid US visas?
- 4 Online UAE Visa for Indians in other cases
- 5 Conclusion
Online UAE Visa For Indians/ Visa On Arrival for Indians with Valid US/Schengen/Uk Visa
So in this post, I give you answers to the below queries;
- How to apply for an online UAE visa for Indians through Emirates?
- How to avail UAE visa on arrival for Indian passport holders with valid US/ Schengen/UK visas?
- How to apply if you are not eligible for the above two scenarios?
How to apply for an online UAE visa for Indians through Emirates?
I am going to take you through a broad view of the entire process and the whole thing takes less than 15 minutes.
- Go to Emirates page.
- Click on Manage.
- Enter your ‘Last Name’ and ‘Booking Reference’ and click on Go.
- On the right side or on the bottom, you will see the below options. Click on ‘Apply for a UAE Visa’.
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- Click on ‘Continue to Visa Application’ on next page. This redirects you to the VFS Global Services page.
- Next page will give you information on types of visa. Click on continue at the bottom.
- Enter all your passport details and click on ‘Continue’.
- In the next page, enter your email address details.
- You will get a ‘Visa Application Form’ where you have to fill all the required details and click on submit.
- You have to upload a scanned color copy of your passport’s front and back pages (Only pdf is allowed and size restriction is 200KB). Also upload a passport colour photograph not exceeding 40KB in size.
- Sometimes they may ask you for other documents like bank statements and proof of residency etc.
- Review your application and click on ‘Submit’.
- In the next page, you have to click on ‘Purchase’ and this will redirect you to the payment gateway.
- Once this is done, you can check the status of your visa application by using the right side form on the VFS page.
Who cannot avail this facility even if they have tickets through Emirates?
Because this is applicable only for Emirates flights, you cannot use this option if you book your to and fro tickets through different carriers.
For e.g if you book your ticket from India to Dubai with Emirates and return via Indigo, you will not able to be able to use this facility.
Also, your to and fro tickets should be on the same PNR. When I recently applied for my husband, I hadn’t booked his return tickets since we were still finalising the dates. Even though I booked his return with Emirates, I was not able to avail this facility since I had two different PNR’s.
Online Visa Fees for UAE for Indian Citizens
Based on the number of days, the tourist visa fees for UAE for Indian citizens range from 90$ (for a 30-day stay for one time entry) to 330$ (for a 90-day stay).
I am definitely going to use this service for my parents for its relative ease of use. You guys should definitely try it out. Check the list of FAQ’s here.
How to avail UAE visa on arrival for Indian passport holders with valid US visas?
In March 2017, the UAE and the Indian government came up with a new scheme for all Indian passport holders traveling to UAE with a valid US visa. This has been applicable since May 2017 and it has been quite helpful for frequent travelers like our family with valid US visas.
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So, who can avail this visa on arrival facility?
All Indian citizens with a valid US visa or Green card can avail this facility. I have a B1/B2 US visa which has a validity of 10 years. While availing this facility, please ensure that both your passport and your US visa are valid for at least 6 months.
This was recently extended to Indians with valid Schengen and UK visas too.
How can you avail the Dubai visa on arrival for Indian passport with US visa facility?
Before my experience, I read a lot on how we need an ‘Ok to board’ from the airline if you are making use of this facility. I even contemplated getting an Online UAE visa before I was scheduled to fly. But thankfully, none of that is required. I was on my way back from London to India and I decided to stop in Dubai for a few days.
Checking in
At Heathrow, the first thing the lady who was in charge of check-in asked me was where my UAE visa was. I informed her that I have a valid US visa. She asked me no further questions after she checked the validity of my US visa.
In case you are not travelling with an UAE airline or partner airline, you need ok to board from UAE immigration.
Account for an additional 15-30 mins at the Checkin counter since the approval needs to come from Dubai. I have had this experience mostly when I am travelling with Indigo.
Find the nearest Marhaba counter once you land in UAE
I was flying with Qantas (a partner airline of Emirates). All Emirates and Qantas flights land in the T3 terminal in Dubai International Airport. In T3, the Marhaba counter is just before the immigration counter. Once you descend from the escalator, look to your left and you can see the Marhaba counter. There were two counters here. It was relatively empty when I was there and I did not have to wait.
P.s: Since my first trip, I have used this facility at least twice every year.
UAE visa on arrival for Indian passport holders with a valid US visa fees
Once they check your USA visa validity, you will have to pay 210 Dhs (Approximately 65$).(Update: Aug 2024) They accept only Dhirhams in cash but you have an option to pay with your international credit card as well. They give you a valid UAE visa on the spot and this will be valid for 14 days. You have an option to extend this for another 14 days for a fee of 250 Dhs.
You can proceed to the immigration counter once you receive your paper visa.
Check out this post on how to get an Australia visa for Indians.
I have a valid US visa on an old passport. Am I eligible for this UAE visa on arrival scheme for Indians?
So I had to change my passport this year since I ran out of pages and I had a couple of valid visas on my old passport including my US B1/B2 visa. So I was worried that I would not be eligible for this scheme. Thankfully, all you have to do is carry both your old and new passports, preferably stuck together. I had no issues availing this scheme when I went to Dubai in November 2018 and November 2022.
Online UAE Visa for Indians in other cases
So we discussed two methods that I have widely used till date. But what happens if you are not booking your flight ticket through Emirates and you don’t have a valid Schengen / USA or UK visa?
In this case, the only option is to go through a travel agent. It could be an online one or an offline one.
Just login to their portal. Upload all the documents, pay the visa and you will receive the visa within 48 hours.
I recently used Atlys for my husband since he doesn’t have any of the above visas. Another option is iVisa as well.
Even though the visa fees remains the same, the processing fees is comparatively lesser than VFS and Emirates.
However, I did not see an option of applying for a multiple entry visa. The only option is a single entry visa for 30 days.
Conclusion
As you can see, all processes are relatively easy. I will definitely be using these processes based on the number of days I intend to stay in UAE.
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Wow! That was quick and easy!
Yes it was quite quick and easy.
Is this Visa on Arrival possible in Sharjah airport if Indian citizen have valid US visa of B1/B2 type. Flying by Air Arabia.
It ideally should be. You can always check with the airline before flying.
What is the procedure to extend UAE Visa for Indian citizens on B1/B2 US visa holders ?
Hi Soumya,
Thank you for the blog that gives us a better understanding of these procedures.
I’m travelling with my husband in November and I hold a 10 years B1/B2 US visa but my husband does not. Do u think I can apply online visa for my husband and I avail VOA since it’s 1/3 fee??
Are there any restriction. I’m scared what if they don’t allow VOA… in that case my husband will already have a visa but I wont.
Thank you
There is no restriction if you have a valid B1/B2 visa. I have availed this facility multiple times in the past 1 year.
Hi, I am currently on a 14-day VoA (landed in Dubai on the 18th November) and I wish to opt for the 14-day one-time extension. Can I get this done online? or do I have to go back to the airport to pay for the extension?
There is no information available online.
Your help is appreciated!
I am sorry that I don’t have an answer for this. Why don’t you check with Marhaba services since they will be able to help you better?
Very informative
Please let us know list of docs required for on arrival. Below copies all required for on arrival visa?
passport bio data page , last page , US visit visa page(B1/B2) and passport size pic
You just need your passport with the visa stamped. They will scan your passport pages with all details. And photo is not required.
Excellent information for Dubai online visa and arrival visa.
Please clarify a passport size photo is required for getting arrival visa at Dubai airport ?
No, passport size photo is not required.
Hi Thanks for the information. Can one apply for visa if the Passport has more than 6 months validity but the US Visa having less than 6 months validity. Please answer.
No, your US visa also needs more than 6 months validity.
Hello Soumya,
This article is really helpful, good work!
I have a valid B1/B2 visa but I have never travelled to the US till date so will that be a hurdle to get my visa on arrival for UAE?
I appreciate your help, thanks in advance.
Hello Soumya,
This article is really helpful, good work!
I have a valid B1/B2 visa but I have never travelled to the US till date so will that be a hurdle to get my visa on arrival for UAE?
I appreciate your help, thanks in advance.
Hello Soumya,
This article is really helpful, good work!
I have a valid B1/B2 visa but I have never travelled to the US till date so will that be a hurdle to get my visa on arrival for UAE?
I appreciate your help.
Hello Soumya,
This article is really helpful, good work!
I have a valid B1/B2 visa but I have never travelled to the US till date so will that be a hurdle to get my visa on arrival for UAE?
I appreciate your help.
Haneesh, from what I understand, they do check if you have visited US to avail this facility. But please get this checked with Marhaba to get further clarity.
The requirement is that you must have valid US visa. I have traveled to Dubai many time along with my family, even though never traveled to US.
Hi Soumya,
My US visa expires on the 4 April 2019. I am due to travel to Dubai on the 16/17 March 2019 and have opted for VoA… Will I be able to make use of the VoA?
I have travelled earlier to the USA… My passport has a 10 year validity too. Please advise. Thankx.
Sarita
Hi Sarita, You can avail this facility only if your visa is valid for at least 6 months.
Is there a separate line for visa on arrival for emirates passengers and passengers traveling by other airlines for visa on arrival
No, there is no separate queue. But not all flights land in the same terminal.
I’m Really Imperesd To Your Blog All Photographs Are Good Thanks For Giving Information Such A Great Work
I’m Really Imperesd To Your Blog All Photographs Are Good Thanks For Giving Information Such A Great Work Keep It Up.
Hi,
I have valid us visa. I have availed the facility of visa on arrival. Can I avail same for multiple times?
Yes.
I’m Really Imperesd To Your Blog with great photography and the helpful information and Tips!
Hi Soumya… I am Kavya’s friend…really liked your blog a lot…..I am planning a trip to Dubai with my entire family and wanted to know the visa process when not using emirates and neither having US Visa…would be very grateful if you can send me any link regarding the procedure for this.
Hi Vidya, Which airline are you using? The website varies based on the airline.
Hi Soumya Nambiar,
Thanks for Sharing Great Information about the UAE visa requirements for Indian Citizens. I loved the way how you describes how to apply online with all the screenshots. It’s very helpful for Beginners.
Thanks & Regards
Richa Malhotra
Thank you very much for documenting this so well! If you avail of the on-arrival visa facility for Indian citizens with Green card when you first arrive in Dubai, can you extend it for another 14 days the same day at the airport if your trip is going to be longer? Couldn’t find any specific guidance on this online.
Detailed steps. Thank you so much. Very helpful