Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched a new visa-on-arrival policy for eligible Indian nationals, aiming to simplify travel and enhance relations between the two countries.
Under the new policy, Indian citizens can obtain a visa on arrival, along with holders of permanent residency or green cards, and valid visas from the United States, the United Kingdom, or EU countries.
Update regarding Visa-on-arrival facility for Indian citizens travelling to the UAE pic.twitter.com/aFrqnX8jTx
— India in UAE (@IndembAbuDhabi) October 17, 2024
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Travellers can choose between two options: A 14-day visa that can be extended for another 14 days, or a non-extendable 60-day visa. In accordance with UAE regulations, travellers must pay the required costs for both visa categories.
Passport validity requirements
To qualify for the visa-on-arrival, travellers must ensure their passports are valid for at least six months from their entry date into the UAE.
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This initiative follows previous efforts to facilitate travel for Indian nationals. In February 2023, Emirates Airlines introduced a pre-approved visa-on-arrival service in collaboration with VFS Global, allowing travellers to skip queues upon arrival in Dubai.
In a post on X, Emirates wrote: “We've partnered with VFS Global to introduce a pre-approved visa-on-arrival facility for Indian passport holders who have booked their travel with us. The new process will help customers skip queues when arriving in Dubai.”
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Previously, Indian travellers needed to apply for a visa in advance, which involved extensive documentation and long waiting times. The new visa-on-arrival scheme is part of the UAE’s strategy to boost tourism and strengthen business ties with India.
(With inputs from agencies)