Dubai Visa Guide for Indian Citizens (2025)

• Dubai offers multiple visa types, including 14-day, 30-day, and transit visas tailored to different travel needs.
• Indian citizens require a visa for Dubai unless holding a US visa or Green Card, in which case, a visa-on-arrival is available.
• Tourist visas can be applied for online via official portals or trusted travel partners like Pickyourtrail.
• Documentation includes passport copies, photographs, and confirmed bookings, among others.
• Visa processing typically takes 3–5 business days, and overstaying can incur fines.

A Dubai visa is an official authorisation granted by the UAE government that allows non-citizens to enter Dubai for tourism, transit, business, or other purposes. For Indian passport holders, a pre-approved visa is mandatory unless you fall into specific visa-on-arrival categories (covered below). The visa acts as an entry permit, usually valid for single or multiple entries, and comes with a defined stay duration (ranging from 48 hours to 90 days).

ALSO READ: What Not to do in Dubai?

Yes, Indian Citizens Require a Visa Before Travel

If you hold an ordinary Indian passport, you must apply for a Dubai visa in advance. You can’t board your flight without showing a valid visa approval.

Exceptions - Who Can Get a Visa on Arrival?

You can get a visa on arrival in Dubai if:

• You hold a valid US visa (any category) or a Green Card
• You hold a valid EU or UK residence permit

In such cases, you can get a 14-day visa on arrival, extendable once for another 14 days.

QUICK READ: Dubai Law for Tourist

Dubai offers several types of visas tailored to your travel duration and purpose:

Note: All visas are e-visas (no physical sticker) and sent via email once approved.

Here’s a complete checklist of documents needed for a successful Dubai visa application:

• Valid Indian passport (at least 6 months validity from travel date)
• Recent passport-sized photograph (white background, no glasses)
• Confirmed return flight tickets
• Hotel reservation or stay details
• Scanned copies of the passport’s front and back pages
• Proof of financial means (bank statements or salary slips)
• Travel insurance (optional but highly recommended)

For a business visa:

• Invitation letter from a UAE-registered company
• Copy of company trade license (if required)

Note: All scanned documents should be in colour, high resolution (300 DPI), and in JPG or PDF format.

QUICK CHECK: How to Plan a Budget trip to Dubai

Option 1: Through Authorised Travel Partners (Recommended)

Easiest and safest way for Indian travellers, especially when bundled with flights or packages. Partners like Pickyourtrail handle end-to-end processing.

Option 2: Through the UAE Government Portals

You can also apply directly via:

• GDRFA Dubai Portal
• ICP Smart Services

Application Steps

1. Choose your visa type and duration
2. Fill in personal and travel information
3. Upload the required documents
4. Pay the visa fees securely
5. Receive your Dubai e-visa via email (PDF format)

Applying for a Dubai visa is easy if you present the right documents. Here is a list of documents that are needed to apply for your visa. 

• A passport with a minimum validity of six months
• Completed visa application form
• Passport-size photographs
• Proof of travel arrangements (flight tickets, hotel reservations, etc.)
• Proof of financial means to cover the trip expenses
• Any additional documents specific to the type of visa being applied for (e.g., employment letter for work visa, admission letter for student visa)

Pro Tip: Always apply at least 7–10 days before your travel date to avoid last-minute delays.

QUICK READ: What makes Dubai so rich

Tourist visas can be extended twice, each time for 30 additional days.

• Apply for an extension before your current visa expires
• Approx. extension fee: ₹2,500 – ₹3,500
• Extensions can be processed through local sponsors or authorised travel agencies in Dubai

MUST READ: Dubai City Pass

Overstaying is taken seriously in the UAE and comes with financial penalties:

If you overstay more than a few days, you may face:

• Deportation
• Entry bans for future UAE visits
• Legal complications

• You should always have a digital and a printed version of your e-visa
• Make sure that your passport is 6 months valid
• Book flights and hotels only when you have checked visa schedules
• Visa applications should be done through official/trustworthy channels
• Look at visas as optional extras in the travel packages

Indian travellers no longer have a difficult time going through the visa process in Dubai. Be it a luxurious holiday, a business trip, or a casual pass through, knowing the visa requirements can make your travel a smooth one. The above is what individuals can expect when using PickYourTrail to book their Dubai trip, as we can manage the visa, hotel rooms, activities, and flights in the same place.

Visa Useful Resources

Thailand Visa | USA Visa | Singapore Visa | Vietnam Visa | UK Visa | Indonesia Visa | Malaysia Visa | Canada Visa | Turkey Visa | Japan Visa | Hong Kong Visa | Philippines Visa | Saudi Arabia Visa | Switzerland Visa | Australia Visa | South Korea Visa | Ireland Visa | Uzbekistan Visa | Russia Visa | Germany Visa | Netherlands Visa | China Visa | France Visa | Portugal Visa | Italy Visa | Greece Visa | Cambodia Visa | Mexico Visa | Egypt Visa | South Africa Visa | Taiwan Visa | Morocco Visa | Czech Republic Visa | Austria Visa | Croatia Visa | Iran Visa | Denmark Visa | Jordan Visa | Hungary Visa | Kyrgyzstan Visa | Argentina Visa | Sweden Visa | Belgium Visa | Bulgaria Visa | Ukraine Visa | Tunisia Visa | Iceland Visa | Slovenia Visa | Mauritius Visa | New Zealand Visa | Azerbaijan Visa | Sri Lanka Visa | Spain Visa | Maldives Visa | Poland Visa | Laos Visa | Seychelles Visa