United Arab Emirates Tourist Visa
UAE Tourist Entry Permit · For India citizens
Planning a trip to Dubai or the UAE as an Indian citizen? This guide covers everything you need for the UAE tourist visa application: required documents, fees starting from AED 200 (approximately ₹4,500), processing times of 2-4 working days, and strategies to improve your chances. With a 94% approval rate for Indian applicants, proper documentation is essential for a smooth process.
UAE Tourist Visa for Indian Citizens (2025) - Document Checklist
For India citizens · VisaBeat.com
Document Checklist
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the UAE
Recent colored photograph with white background
Colored scan of your PAN card (Indian applicants)
Confirmed round-trip flight tickets showing entry and exit from UAE
Confirmed hotel booking for the duration of your stay
Recent bank statement showing sufficient funds for your trip
Recommended (Optional)
Valid health insurance covering UAE for the duration of stay
Application Process
UAE tourist visas for Indian citizens can be obtained through multiple channels.1 Unlike many countries, there is no embassy appointment or biometrics required for standard tourist visas.
1. Choose Your Application Channel
You can apply through:5
- Airlines: Emirates, Etihad, Flydubai, or Air Arabia (if flying with them)
- Hotels: Some UAE hotels process visas for confirmed guests
- Travel Agencies: Authorized agencies in India
- Online Portals: GDRFA Dubai or ICP smart services
2. Gather Required Documents
- Colored passport scan (front cover and bio page)
- Recent passport-sized photograph (white background)
- PAN card copy
- Confirmed flight booking
- Hotel reservation or host details
- Bank statement (last 3-6 months)
3. Submit Application and Pay Fees
Submit your documents through your chosen channel and pay the applicable fees.2 Fees vary by visa duration and provider.
4. Receive Your Visa
Once approved, you will receive an electronic visa (e-visa) via email.1 Print a copy to show at immigration. Standard processing takes 2-4 working days.
Fees
| Visa Type | Duration | Fee (AED) | Fee (INR approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term Single Entry | 30 days | 200-350 | ₹4,500-8,000 |
| Single Entry | 60 days | 500 | ₹11,500 |
| Single Entry | 90 days | 600 | ₹14,000 |
| Multiple Entry | 30 days | 690 | ₹16,000 |
| Multiple Entry | 90 days | 1,740 | ₹40,000 |
| 5-Year Multiple Entry | 90 days per visit | 650+ | ₹15,000+ |
Fees exclude 5% VAT and may vary by service provider.2 Airlines and travel agencies may charge additional service fees.
What You Need to Prove
The UAE immigration authorities assess tourist visa applications based on:1
- Genuine tourist intent: Clear travel plans with confirmed bookings
- Financial capacity: Sufficient funds to cover your stay without working
- Return intent: Confirmed return ticket showing you will leave before visa expires
- Valid documentation: All documents meeting technical specifications
Processing Times
Standard tourist visa processing times:2
| Channel | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Airlines (Emirates, Etihad) | 24-48 hours |
| Travel Agencies | 2-4 working days |
| GDRFA/ICP Portal | 48 hours |
| Express Service | Same day to 24 hours |
Processing times exclude weekends (Friday-Saturday in UAE) and public holidays.2 Apply at least one week before travel to allow for any delays.
Recent Changes (Late 2024)
The UAE implemented stricter visa requirements in late 2024:5
- Mandatory confirmed bookings: Both hotel and flight bookings must be confirmed
- Higher financial requirements: Bank statements showing stable funds are scrutinized more closely
- Document quality checks: Stricter enforcement of photo and scan specifications
- Result: Rejection rates increased from 1-2% to approximately 5-6%
These changes were implemented to reduce fraudulent applications. Well-prepared applications with complete documentation continue to have high approval rates.
After Your Visa is Approved
Once approved, your e-visa will be emailed to you. At UAE immigration:
- Present your printed e-visa and passport
- You may be asked about your accommodation and travel plans
- Immigration will stamp your passport with the entry date
- Overstaying incurs fines of AED 100 per day plus AED 200 exit permit fee2
If Your Visa is Refused
If your visa is rejected:
- Review the documents you submitted: Identify what may have been missing or unclear
- Correct the issues: Improve photo quality, add missing documents, or show higher bank balance
- Reapply: There is no waiting period for reapplication
- Consider a different channel: Try applying through an airline if you used an agency, or vice versa
Most rejections are due to documentation issues that can be easily fixed.5 A rejection does not prevent future applications.
Common Rejection Reasons
Based on official refusal data for this corridor
Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation
Missing documents, unclear scans, or documents that do not meet specifications. This became the leading cause of rejection after UAE tightened requirements in late 2024.
How to avoid: Double-check every document before submission. Ensure passport photos are high-quality with white background, all scans are clear and colored, and no required documents are missing.
Insufficient Financial Evidence
Bank statements showing insufficient funds or suspicious patterns like large unexplained deposits close to the application date.
How to avoid: Maintain a stable balance of at least AED 5,000 (₹1,15,000) for several months before applying. Avoid large deposits in the weeks before application. Show regular income.
Unclear or Poor Quality Photos
Passport photos that are blurry, have incorrect background color, or do not meet UAE specifications.
How to avoid: Use a recent, high-resolution photo with pure white background. Face must be clearly visible, no glasses, no shadows. Professional photos recommended.
Missing or Unconfirmed Bookings
Flight tickets or hotel reservations that are not confirmed, have inconsistent dates, or do not match the requested visa duration.
How to avoid: Ensure all bookings are confirmed (not pending) and dates align with your visa request. Include booking confirmation numbers.
Passport Validity Issues
Passport expiring within 6 months of travel date, damaged passport, or insufficient blank pages.
How to avoid: Renew your passport if it expires within 6 months of your planned travel. Ensure at least two blank pages are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I stay in the UAE on a tourist visa?
Depending on the visa type, you can stay 30, 60, or 90 days. The standard tourist visa allows 30 days, with options to extend. The 5-year multiple entry visa allows stays of up to 90 days per visit, extendable for an additional 90 days.
Can Indians get visa on arrival in UAE?
Yes, but only if you hold a valid US visa or Green Card, or a residence visa from the UK, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, or Singapore. The visa must be valid for at least 6 months. Without these, you must apply for a tourist visa before travel.
How long does UAE visa processing take for Indians?
Standard processing takes 2-4 working days. Express processing through airlines can deliver results in 24-48 hours. Processing times exclude weekends and UAE public holidays.
What is the UAE tourist visa fee for Indians in 2025?
Fees vary by duration: 30-day single entry costs AED 200-350 (₹4,500-8,000), 60-day visa costs AED 500 (₹11,500), and 90-day visa costs AED 600 (₹14,000). Multi-entry and 5-year visas cost more. Fees vary slightly between airlines and agencies.
Can I extend my UAE tourist visa?
Yes, most tourist visas can be extended. Extensions cost approximately AED 850-1,000 for an additional 30 days. You can extend up to three times. Overstaying without extension incurs fines of AED 100 per day plus AED 200 for an exit permit.
Do I need a sponsor for UAE tourist visa?
For standard tourist visas, no individual sponsor is required. Airlines, hotels, or travel agencies act as your sponsor. For visit visas to stay with relatives, the UAE resident must sponsor your application.
What is the approval rate for UAE visas from India?
The approval rate is approximately 94% as of late 2024. This decreased from nearly 99% following stricter documentation requirements introduced in 2024. Proper documentation significantly improves your chances.
What happens if my UAE visa is rejected?
You will receive notification of rejection. You can reapply with improved documentation addressing the issues. Common fixes include better quality photos, higher bank balance, and confirmed bookings. There is typically no appeal process for tourist visa rejections.
Can I work on a UAE tourist visa?
No, tourist visas do not permit any form of employment. Working on a tourist visa can result in fines, imprisonment, and deportation. If you need to work, you must obtain a proper work permit through a UAE employer.
Is travel insurance mandatory for UAE tourist visa?
Travel insurance is mandatory only for the 5-year multiple entry visa, which requires 180 days of health insurance coverage. For shorter tourist visas, it is recommended but not required. Many airline visa packages include basic coverage.