{"id":7021738,"slug":"india-expands-visa-on-arrival-for-uae-citizens","status":"published","date":"2025-11-20T10:05:39Z","modified":"2026-06-12 12:09:57","link":"https://www.visamundi.co/en/blog/india-expands-visa-on-arrival-for-uae-citizens/","title":{"rendered":"India Expands Visa-on-Arrival Program for UAE Citizens"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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.</p>","protected":false},"content":{"rendered":"<p>India has added a new nationality to its <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" href=\"https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/visa-on-arrival.html\"><strong>Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) program</strong></a>—benefiting citizens of the United Arab Emirates. Eligible travelers can now use this facility at <strong>nine international airports</strong> and make an unlimited number of annual visits.</p>\n<p>This recent announcement is aimed at streamlining travel for UAE nationals and <strong>further strengthening bilateral ties</strong> between the two nations.</p>\n<img src=\"https://cdn.visamundi.co/uploads/wp-0c92d415344f0085-sans-titre-6.jpg\" alt=\"\">\n<p></p>\n<h2>Easing Travel for Emirati Citizens</h2>\n<p>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.</p>\n<p>The updated system now includes <strong>three additional airports</strong>: <strong>Cochin, Calicut, and Ahmedabad</strong>. These join the existing VoA facilities at Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Trivandrum.</p>\n<p>This visa covers a range of travel purposes, including <strong>business, tourism, medical treatments, and conferences</strong>. Once issued, the VoA allows stays of up to <strong>60 days</strong>. A double-entry option may be granted, permitting two entries during the validity period. Travelers can use the facility <strong>multiple times per year</strong>, provided they meet eligibility requirements.</p>\n<p>The VoA cannot be extended or converted into another type of visa.</p>\n<h2>Eligibility and Restrictions</h2>\n<p>While designed to ease entry, strict eligibility conditions apply:</p>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Prior visa required:</strong> The VoA is available only to UAE passport holders who have <strong>already secured an e-Visa or regular visa</strong> for India. Authorities advise first-time visitors to obtain an e-Visa or regular visa before using the VoA for future trips.</p></li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Pakistan-linked restriction:</strong> This facility <strong>does not apply</strong> to any UAE national who—or whose parent or grand-parent—was born or has permanent residency in <strong>Pakistan</strong>. Affected travelers must apply through the nearest Indian diplomatic mission.</p></li></ol>\n<h2>How to Apply</h2>\n<p>To obtain the VoA, travelers must present a valid passport valid for at least <strong>six months</strong> with two blank pages, a completed <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" href=\"https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/image/VOA_FORM.pdf\">application form</a>, a debarkation card, and passport-sized photos.</p>\n<p>Immigration officers may request proof of accommodation, sufficient funds, onward/return tickets, or hotel bookings.</p>\n<p>Applications can be submitted online in advance or completed upon arrival. <strong>Consular fees apply</strong> for each traveler, including children.</p>\n<p>India’s streamlined process aligns with its goal of facilitating smoother entry for visitors from multiple countries. The “<strong>one-stop approach</strong>” simplifies immigration clearance for frequent visitors—acting as a fast-track pass for eligible, compliant travelers. <strong>South Korea and Japan were also recently added to the VoA program.</strong></p>","protected":false},"tags":[42]}