In a late-evening circular dated 24 November, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs added Kochi, Calicut and Ahmedabad to the list of designated airports offering Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) to eligible UAE nationals. The scheme—first rolled out in 2017 on a reciprocity basis—already covered Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata. The expansion took effect immediately and was publicised on 25 November.
The change matters for both leisure and corporate mobility. Gulf carriers run dense schedules into Kerala and Gujarat to serve large expatriate communities and booming medical-tourism demand. Until now, Emirati visitors landing on late-night flights to these cities had to secure an e-Visa in advance or route through a metro hub that processed VoA—adding cost and uncertainty for last-minute trips.
![India expands visa-on-arrival access for UAE citizens to Kochi, Calicut and Ahmedabad]()
VoA permits single or double entry stays up to 60 days for tourism, business meetings, conferences or medical treatment, provided the traveller has obtained an Indian visa at least once before. The fee remains ₹2,000 (about AED 88) payable on arrival. UAE nationals with Pakistani lineage remain excluded under India’s long-standing security carve-out.
Mobility managers should update travel-approval platforms to reflect the wider port coverage and remind staff to carry proof of their previous Indian visa, six months’ passport validity, onward tickets and accommodation confirmation. Airlines anticipate an uptick in weekend business trips and short-haul leisure travel as the busy December holiday period approaches.
The change matters for both leisure and corporate mobility. Gulf carriers run dense schedules into Kerala and Gujarat to serve large expatriate communities and booming medical-tourism demand. Until now, Emirati visitors landing on late-night flights to these cities had to secure an e-Visa in advance or route through a metro hub that processed VoA—adding cost and uncertainty for last-minute trips.
VoA permits single or double entry stays up to 60 days for tourism, business meetings, conferences or medical treatment, provided the traveller has obtained an Indian visa at least once before. The fee remains ₹2,000 (about AED 88) payable on arrival. UAE nationals with Pakistani lineage remain excluded under India’s long-standing security carve-out.
Mobility managers should update travel-approval platforms to reflect the wider port coverage and remind staff to carry proof of their previous Indian visa, six months’ passport validity, onward tickets and accommodation confirmation. Airlines anticipate an uptick in weekend business trips and short-haul leisure travel as the busy December holiday period approaches.
