An India Narrative explainer published on 3 December dissects outcomes from last month’s Joint Committee on Consular Affairs in Abu Dhabi, framing them as a ‘mobility pact’ that mixes liberalisation with law-enforcement muscle. Highlights include India expanding visa-on-arrival for Emiratis to nine airports and the UAE widening its own VOA scheme for Indians holding select foreign residence permits.
Behind the visas lies a push for faster extradition and mutual legal assistance, reflecting Delhi’s quest to retrieve economic offenders who park assets in Dubai’s financial system. Officials also agreed to improve information-sharing on overstays and labour complaints affecting the 4.2 million-strong Indian community in the Gulf.
![Explainer: India–UAE talks pair easier visas with tougher extradition in new mobility pact]()
For businesses the message is clear: expect quicker travel but also more data sharing between agencies. Compliance teams should note that both sides are integrating entry-exit records and bank-account information to crack down on shell-company abuse and unpaid wages.
The pact dovetails with CEPA-driven trade flows already above USD 100 billion and seeks to facilitate project-based deployments while deterring transnational crime. Practical next steps include India’s plan to open a dedicated consular hotline in Dubai by March 2026.
Behind the visas lies a push for faster extradition and mutual legal assistance, reflecting Delhi’s quest to retrieve economic offenders who park assets in Dubai’s financial system. Officials also agreed to improve information-sharing on overstays and labour complaints affecting the 4.2 million-strong Indian community in the Gulf.
For businesses the message is clear: expect quicker travel but also more data sharing between agencies. Compliance teams should note that both sides are integrating entry-exit records and bank-account information to crack down on shell-company abuse and unpaid wages.
The pact dovetails with CEPA-driven trade flows already above USD 100 billion and seeks to facilitate project-based deployments while deterring transnational crime. Practical next steps include India’s plan to open a dedicated consular hotline in Dubai by March 2026.
