Indian citizens holding ordinary passports and a US green card or residence visa in the UK or European Union countries now need to apply online for a pre-approved visa-on-arrival to enter the UAE as visitors for a period of 14 days. This change, reported by Khaleej Times, was announced by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai.
Previously, eligible Indian travelers were granted a visa-on-arrival at UAE airports, which was typically stamped at the immigration counter upon disembarkation. Now, passengers heading to Dubai must apply online for this service in advance.
The GDRFA outlined several requirements for the application process, which include a valid passport or travel document, a permanent residence card (green card) issued by the USA or a residence visa issued by the UK or European Union countries, and a personal photo with a white background.
Indian tourists must log in to the GDRFA website at https://smart.gdrfad.gov.ae, register their details, fill in the required information, and pay a fee of Dh253. Once approved, the visa will be sent to the applicant’s email, with an expected completion time of 48 hours.
The GDRFA also specified terms and conditions for the short-term visit visa, such as ensuring no restrictions prevent entry to the UAE and having a passport or travel document valid for at least six months. The residence visa or green card must also be valid for no less than six months.
Additionally, in February, Emirates announced a pre-approved visa-on-arrival facility for certain Indian passport holders who book their travel with the airline. This 14-day single-entry visa allows Emirates customers to skip queues upon arrival in Dubai. The Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC), managed by VFS Global, handles the application process. However, Emirates clarified that the issuance of visas remains at the discretion of the GDRFA.
