Dubai: Indians travellers with a valid UK or European Union visa or with a US Green Card or residency permit can apply online for the UAE's visa on arrival, at least 14 days before they travel to the country.
Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) announced that this visa could be extended for 14 more days. Meanwhile, Emirates Airlines said the approval of these visas would be as per the discretion of GDRFA.
Visa on arrival facility has been provided at the airports in UAE for eligible Indian travellers for years. Usually, when passengers deboard the aircraft, the visa is stamped on their passports at the immigration counter. However, as per the revised guidelines, flyers must apply for the visa online before they travel to Dubai.
These are the documents that are required for applying for this visa:
1) Valid passport or other travel document to enter the country.
2) US Green Card or the residence visa issued by the UK / European Union.
3) Passport size photograph (with white background)
Online application
Indians, who are eligible for a visa on arrival, should log into the official website of the GDRFA. They should fill out the application by providing the required details and pay an application fee of 253 dirhams. After the visa is approved, the applicant will receive it via email, hopefully within 48 hours after applying.
Terms and conditions
These are the terms and conditions that are noted on GDRFA’s website:
1) The traveller shouldn’t have any restrictions that prevent him/her from entering the country.
2) The validity of the passport or the travel document should not be less than six months.
3) He/she should have a visa or green card issued by the competent authorities in the United States of America, with a validity period of not less than six months.
4) He/she should have a residence visa issued by the competent authorities in the United Kingdom or European Union countries, with a validity period of not less than six months.
A few Indian passport holders who had booked tickets on Emirates Airlines in February were given a visa on arrival with a validity in advance. This single-entry visa is valid for 14 days and would save the Emirates flyers from standing in long queues at the immigration counters. The advance application fulfils the requirements of the Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC)-VFS Global facility arranged by Emirates Airlines to facilitate visa proceedings in Dubai.
