UAE introduces flexible on‑arrival visas for Indian expatriates
Indian passport holders with US, UK or EU residence permits can obtain a 14‑day or 60‑day UAE visa on arrival, while a five‑year Green Visa offers residency for investors.
The short version
- Indian passport holders with US, UK or EU residence permits can obtain a 14‑day or 60‑day visa on arrival.
- Applications are digital and processed within 48 hours.
- A five‑year Green Visa offers residency for investors, with family sponsorship for the full term.
- The five‑year multiple‑entry tourist visa allows up to 90 days stay, extendable by another 90 days.
On‑arrival visa for Indian passport holders
Indian nationals who live abroad and hold a valid residence permit from the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada can now receive a UAE visa on arrival. The on‑arrival option is offered as either a 14‑day or a 60‑day stay, depending on the traveller’s itinerary. Applications are lodged through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFAD) website, where a pre‑approval service speeds up processing to within 48 hours.
The digital route eliminates the need for a prior consular visit, and the visa is stamped at the point of entry. Holders must present the residence permit document together with a passport that remains valid for at least six months. The measure is intended to encourage short‑term tourism and business trips among the Indian expatriate community that already contributes significantly to the UAE’s economy.
Five‑year Green Visa for skilled migrants
The five‑year Green Visa, launched earlier this year, targets three categories of high‑value entrants: skilled professionals, freelancers and investors. Skilled workers must hold a Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) permit, possess at least a bachelor’s degree and earn a minimum monthly salary of Dh15,000. Freelancers need a valid permit, a degree and an annual income of Dh360,000, while investors must demonstrate a qualifying investment and hold the relevant business licence.
Successful applicants enjoy the right to sponsor immediate family members for the full five‑year period, and the visa includes a grace period after cancellation that allows residents to remain while they arrange alternative status. The programme is part of a broader strategy to attract talent and capital, positioning the UAE as a long‑term destination for professionals beyond the traditional short‑term tourist model.
Extended tourist and multi‑entry options
The UAE also continues to offer a five‑year multiple‑entry tourist visa that permits stays of up to ninety days per visit, with the possibility of a further ninety‑day extension. The visa is self‑sponsored, open to all nationalities, and applicants must submit a valid passport, travel insurance and bank statements that demonstrate a minimum balance, as stipulated by immigration authorities.
Dubai residents can now earn travel vouchers worth more than Dh3,000 by inviting up to five overseas guests to visit between July and October 2026, with the rewards remaining valid until the end of the year. In addition, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security has introduced an online visa‑status check that allows holders to verify their validity during a 30‑day grace period that ends on 9 July 2026, helping avoid accidental overstays.
“Indian passport holders living abroad can now get a UAE visa upon arrival.”
What it means
What this changes for an applicant
- If you are an Indian expatriate holding a US green card or a UK residence permit, you can travel to the UAE without prior paperwork and receive a short‑term visa at the airport.
- The new Green Visa provides a pathway to five‑year residency for investors, meaning you can bring your family and enjoy a longer stay without needing a local sponsor.
- Existing tourists should note the 90‑day stay limit and the option to extend, while the online status check helps avoid fines during the July 2026 grace period.
Source
This article was written by Malaysia Visa Guide, based on reporting by The Economic Times. We summarise and explain the news in our own words; we do not reproduce it. Read the original report for the publisher's full account.
Last updated 2 August 2026.
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