Whether you’re a first-time traveller or a frequent flyer, figuring out the Dubai visa process as an Indian can be confusing—especially with outdated info floating around. This guide strips out the fluff and delivers everything you really need to know, based on how Indians are actually getting visas in 2025.
Table of Contents
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Do Indians Need a Visa for Dubai?
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All Dubai Visa Types Explained for Indians
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Documents Required for a Dubai Visa
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How Indians Can Apply for a Dubai Visa (From India or Abroad)
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Dubai Visa Fees for Indians (Updated 2025)
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How Long It Takes to Get a Dubai Visa
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Who Qualifies for Visa on Arrival in Dubai?
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Common Reasons Indian Applications Are Rejected
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Choosing a Trusted Visa Agent: Big Brands vs Boutique Services
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10 Lesser-Known FAQs About Dubai Visa for Indians
1. Do Indians Need a Visa for Dubai?
In short: Yes. But how you apply depends on where you live and what’s stamped in your passport.
✈️ A. Indians with US/UK/Schengen Visas
If your passport carries a valid visa from the USA, UK, or a Schengen country, you can get a 14-day visa on arrival in Dubai. Think of it as a fast-track entry—but make sure your visa is still valid for 6+ months.
🌍 B. NRIs Without Premium Visas
Indians living abroad without these visas (say, in Singapore or Oman) still need to apply before travel, just like residents of India.
🏠 C. Indians Living in India
If you’re applying from India, your visa must be pre-arranged. There’s no entry at the airport unless you have special eligibility. Here, passport type matters too:
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ECNR passports: You’re good to go for tourist and visit visas.
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ECR passports: Mostly flagged during employment-related visa processing. Tourists usually have no issue.
2. All Dubai Visa Types Explained for Indians
Dubai doesn’t just hand out tourist visas—there’s a range tailored for short trips, long stays, and even long-term investment.
Visa Type | What It’s For | Validity |
---|---|---|
Tourist (30 / 60 days) | Short vacations, family visits | 30 or 60 days |
Multiple Entry | Frequent flyers, event attendees | 30 / 60 days |
Transit Visa | Stopovers between flights | 48 or 96 hours |
Business Visa | Expo visits, trade events, meetings | Varies |
Employment Visa | Sponsored by UAE employer | Usually 2 years |
Visit Visa | Sponsored by UAE-based family/friends | Up to 90 days |
Investor Visa | If setting up a company in UAE | 2–10 years |
Freelance Visa | For self-employed professionals | 1–2 years |
Golden Visa | For high-value investors or skilled talent | 10 years |
🏆 Golden Visa Tip: Indian property buyers (AED 2M+), startup founders, doctors, or PhD holders can apply.
3. Documents Required for a Dubai Visa
✉️ Tourist Visa (Simplest Form):
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Clear passport scan (front and back)
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Recent passport-size photograph (white background)
🗂️ Other Visa Types May Require:
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Job offer or appointment letter
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Business license (for entrepreneurs)
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Emirates ID of sponsor (for family visit)
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Accommodation proof (optional)
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Previous visa history (if requested)
📌 Most tourist visas can be applied for with just a passport and photo, especially if done through experienced agents.
4. How Indians Can Apply for a Dubai Visa (From India or Abroad)
💻 Option 1: Big Travel Portals (MakeMyTrip, Akbar Travels)
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You fill out forms
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Upload documents manually
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Wait for callbacks or emails
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Support is often outsourced
📱 Option 2: Smart Concierge Services (like ApplyDubaiVisa.com)
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WhatsApp your documents
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Get real-time help
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No logins or portals
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Visa arrives in 3–5 days, sometimes faster
🧠 Why many prefer the latter: No forms, no queues, and someone to follow up on your behalf if things go sideways.
5. Dubai Visa Fees for Indians (Updated for 2025)
Visa Type | Fee (AED) |
---|---|
30-Day Single Entry | 400 |
60-Day Single Entry | 600 |
30-Day Multiple Entry | 800 |
60-Day Multiple Entry | 1,200 |
Transit Visa (48–96h) | 200–250 |
Work/Investor Visas | Varies |
🪙 1 AED ≈ 22.5 INR as of May 2025.
Some agents include taxes, some don’t—ask upfront.
6. How Long It Takes to Get a Visa
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Tourist Visas: 3–5 business days (standard)
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Express Option: Within 24 hours
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Work/Business Visas: 1–3 weeks depending on sponsor and paperwork
7. Who Qualifies for Visa on Arrival in Dubai?
You can skip pre-approval if:
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You’re an Indian passport holder
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AND you carry a valid visa or residency from:
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United States
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United Kingdom
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Any Schengen nation
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AND that visa/residency is valid for 6+ months
You’ll get 14 days on arrival, extendable once. Fee is around AED 100, extension about AED 250.
⚠️ Avoid layovers in other countries if you’re banking on this—go direct.
8. Common Reasons Indian Applications Are Rejected
Some reasons no one talks about but matter:
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Old immigration bans (even if minor or expired)
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Pixelated or blurred passport scans
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Using fake hotel or flight bookings
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Name mismatches (passport vs booking)
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ECR passports being misused for work travel
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Booking through shady third-party websites
9. Choosing a Trusted Visa Agent: Big Brands vs Boutique Services
Feature | Big Portals (MMT, Akbar) | ApplyDubaiVisa.com |
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Process Style | Self-service | Human support over WhatsApp |
Turnaround Time | 3–6 days | 1–5 days (faster with express) |
Customer Support | Call centers | Direct agent contact |
Extra Charges | Possible hidden fees | Transparent pricing |
Refunds on Rejection | Rare | Policy available |
✅ If you’re the type who prefers a real person over a form, go boutique.
❌ If you don’t want to wait for “ticket escalation”, avoid large aggregator platforms.
10. 10 Lesser-Known FAQs About Dubai Visa for Indians
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Do I need to book flights before applying?
No. You can apply with dummy bookings if needed. -
Can I WhatsApp my documents?
Yes, some agents like ApplyDubaiVisa.com accept that format. -
Can I travel if only my passport number changed?
No, visa must match new passport. -
What if I share the same name as someone blacklisted?
Expect additional checks. -
Can I apply while my UAE tourist visa is active?
Not usually—wait for expiry or exit. -
Are Friday and Saturday counted in processing?
No. UAE weekends are Fri–Sat. Apply early. -
Does Dubai accept Aadhaar or PAN for ID?
No—only passport is valid. -
Can kids be added to parent’s visa?
No. Children need individual visas. -
Can I work on a tourist visa?
No, and getting caught can lead to a ban. -
Can I apply from outside India with an Indian passport?
Yes, as long as you have online access and docs.
Final Words
Dubai remains one of the top getaways for Indians in 2025—but how you apply makes a world of difference. Whether you’re applying from Mumbai or Muscat, make sure to pick the right visa and the right agent.
💬 Want stress-free processing, WhatsApp-based support, and no hidden charges? Reach out to ApplyDubaiVisa.com and get your UAE visa in a few days—without doing the paperwork dance.