The Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi has expanded its visa-on-arrival (VoA) facility for Emirati citizens from six to nine international airports, adding Cochin, Calicut and Ahmedabad to the list that already included Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata . The VoA is available to UAE passport-holders who have previously obtained an Indian e-Visa or regular visa.
UAE travellers meeting the criteria can now enter India for up to 60 days for tourism, business, conferences or medical treatment by filling out a short form on arrival and paying a ₹2,000 (AED 83) fee. They may use the privilege multiple times per year, provided each stay remains within the limit and passports are valid for at least six months .
![India expands visa-on-arrival to nine airports for UAE nationals, easing short-haul business trips]()
The timing is significant: two-way traffic has surged since UAE–India comprehensive economic ties deepened in 2023, with Dubai–South India routes among the busiest. Mobility managers say the added points of entry will shorten surface-travel legs for executives visiting Tier-2 manufacturing clusters in Kerala and Gujarat, reducing the need for domestic connections.
Conversely, Indian nationals already benefit from an expanded UAE visa-on-arrival scheme introduced in February 2025, underscoring growing reciprocal liberalisation .
Companies should update travel policies to flag the eligibility rules—especially the requirement of a prior Indian visa history—and budget for the on-arrival fee, which is reimbursable as a travel expense under most corporate guidelines.
UAE travellers meeting the criteria can now enter India for up to 60 days for tourism, business, conferences or medical treatment by filling out a short form on arrival and paying a ₹2,000 (AED 83) fee. They may use the privilege multiple times per year, provided each stay remains within the limit and passports are valid for at least six months .
The timing is significant: two-way traffic has surged since UAE–India comprehensive economic ties deepened in 2023, with Dubai–South India routes among the busiest. Mobility managers say the added points of entry will shorten surface-travel legs for executives visiting Tier-2 manufacturing clusters in Kerala and Gujarat, reducing the need for domestic connections.
Conversely, Indian nationals already benefit from an expanded UAE visa-on-arrival scheme introduced in February 2025, underscoring growing reciprocal liberalisation .
Companies should update travel policies to flag the eligibility rules—especially the requirement of a prior Indian visa history—and budget for the on-arrival fee, which is reimbursable as a travel expense under most corporate guidelines.
