Indian citizens holding a regular passport and possessing a US green card or a UK or European Union residence visa are required to apply online for a pre-approved visa-on-arrival to visit the UAE for a 14-day period. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai announced that the short-term visa can be extended for an additional 14 days once. In the past, eligible Indian travelers were granted visa-on-arrival at UAE airports, with the visa being stamped at the immigration counter upon arrival. However, now, individuals traveling to Dubai need to initiate the application process online. The necessary requirements include a valid passport or travel document, a US green card, or a residence visa issued by the UK or European Union countries, and a personal photo with a white background.
Indian tourists eligible for the pre-approved visa-on-arrival must first access the GDRFA website at https://smart.gdrfad.gov.ae to register their details, fulfill the requirements, and pay the associated fees (Dh253). Upon approval, the visa will be sent to the applicant's email within 48 hours of the application submission. The terms and conditions outlined by GDRFA stipulate that the traveler should not face any restrictions preventing entry into the UAE, and their passport or travel document should be valid for at least 6 months. Additionally, they must possess a US green card or visa with a minimum validity of 6 months, or a residence visa issued by the UK or European Union countries, also with a validity period of no less than 6 months.
Furthermore, Emirates announced the introduction of a pre-approved visa-on-arrival facility for select Indian passport holders who have made bookings with the airline. This 14-day single entry visa, provided through the Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC) operated by VFS Global on behalf of Emirates Airline, allows customers to bypass queues when entering Dubai. Emirates emphasized that the issuance of visas is entirely at the discretion of GDRFA.
