India Expands Visa-on-Arrival Program for UAE Citizens
India has expanded its visa-on-arrival program to include citizens of the United Arab Emirates, allowing unlimited annual entries for business, tourism, medical treatments, and conferences at nine international airports.
India has added a new nationality to its Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) program—benefiting citizens of the United Arab Emirates. Eligible travelers can now use this facility at nine international airports and make an unlimited number of annual visits.
This recent announcement is aimed at streamlining travel for UAE nationals and further strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.
Easing Travel for Emirati Citizens
The expansion of the VoA responds to the growing number of Emirati visitors and aligns with India’s broader efforts to make entry processes more efficient for foreign travelers.
The updated system now includes three additional airports: Cochin, Calicut, and Ahmedabad. These join the existing VoA facilities at Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Trivandrum.
This visa covers a range of travel purposes, including business, tourism, medical treatments, and conferences. Once issued, the VoA allows stays of up to 60 days. A double-entry option may be granted, permitting two entries during the validity period. Travelers can use the facility multiple times per year, provided they meet eligibility requirements.
The VoA cannot be extended or converted into another type of visa.
Eligibility and Restrictions
While designed to ease entry, strict eligibility conditions apply:
Prior visa required: The VoA is available only to UAE passport holders who have already secured an e-Visa or regular visa for India. Authorities advise first-time visitors to obtain an e-Visa or regular visa before using the VoA for future trips.
Pakistan-linked restriction: This facility does not apply to any UAE national who—or whose parent or grand-parent—was born or has permanent residency in Pakistan. Affected travelers must apply through the nearest Indian diplomatic mission.
How to Apply
To obtain the VoA, travelers must present a valid passport valid for at least six months with two blank pages, a completed application form, a debarkation card, and passport-sized photos.
Immigration officers may request proof of accommodation, sufficient funds, onward/return tickets, or hotel bookings.
Applications can be submitted online in advance or completed upon arrival. Consular fees apply for each traveler, including children.
India’s streamlined process aligns with its goal of facilitating smoother entry for visitors from multiple countries. The “one-stop approach” simplifies immigration clearance for frequent visitors—acting as a fast-track pass for eligible, compliant travelers. South Korea and Japan were also recently added to the VoA program.
