Dubai has a lot in store for travel enthusiasts. Right from the traditional souks to the luxurious malls. Whether it is the underwater zoo or the hot air balloon ride over the deserts, the capital of the Emirate of Dubai has them all. A complete travel destination for tourist activities, shopping, night-life, and the list goes on.
However, the fact remains, most of the countries require a Dubai visa to visit this scintillating country. And, though there is the option of getting a visa on arrival in Dubai, it is not a viable option as it entitles you for a very short stay period. Thus, it is not suitable as a Dubai visit visa.
The blog will provide you with complete information on the Dubai visa on arrival. It aims to help you decide on choosing the right Dubai visa for your trip to Dubai. It will also reveal the secret of turning all your Dubai visa expenses into travel expenses with our 100% cashback offer on all Dubai visa fees.
What is Visa on Arrival (VOA)?
Typically, a visa on arrival is granted to you at the airport where you land. It is provided at the immigration office of that particular airport. It is imperative to understand that a VOA is given to applicants who enter the country via air and not by land or sea.
Is there a visa on arrival in Dubai?
Yes, Dubai has a free visa on arrival for specific countries. Thus, the primary step is to find out if your country is eligible for a Dubai visa on arrival or not.
The above chart illustrates the countries that are eligible for a Dubai visa on arrival. As you can see, India is not on the list. Moreover, a Dubai visa on arrival enables a stay period of 30 days only. It means the applicant must leave the country on or before the 30th day. And, the extension of the stay period is only granted to the United Kingdom.
Note1: Only British citizens, British Overseas Territories citizens, and British residents having a certificate of entitlement to the Right to Abode can extend their Dubai visa on arrival for a fee.
Is Dubai visa on arrival available for Indian citizens?
As of May 2017, Dubai visa on arrival for Indian citizens is granted if;
- The Indian citizen has a US visa or Green card
- Indian passport holder or citizen is residing in the US
- Or is the resident of the European Union
If the above criteria are fulfilled, the Indian citizen is eligible for a free 14 days Dubai VOA only.
Apart from this, there is no possibility of getting a Dubai visa on arrival for Indians.
Why take chances with an uncertain Dubai visa on arrival for Indians?
Apply for your Dubai visa with Blinkvisa for a 100% cashback on your complete visa fee!
Dubai VOA: Cases of entry denial even with a valid US Visa or Green Card
It is possible when your Green Card or US visa does not have at least six months of validity from the date of exit from Dubai. Also, a Dubai visa on arrival is not granted when you have a Dubai transit visa meant for taking a connecting flight to a third country from Dubai.
Dual citizenship
UAE does not recognise dual citizenship. For instance, if your father is a UAE citizen and you hold a US passport, then there are chances for your US passport to be confiscated.
Diplomatic passport holders
Diplomatic passport holders do not qualify for Dubai visa on arrival.
Why we do not recommend a Dubai visa on arrival?
A long queue of visa on arrival applicants at the immigration office may not be a deterrent for many travel aspirants visiting Dubai. Nevertheless, the fact that the chances of the country changing or updating the eligibility criteria on short notice are also high.
Apart from this, there is no guarantee that a Dubai visa on arrival would be given to you. Hence, an advance Dubai visa like the 30 days Dubai tourist visa is a viable option.
Applying for a Dubai visit visa or tourist e Visa considerably saves you a lot of time.
Note: Dubai visa on arrival is definitely not recommended when you are transitioning to another country via Dubai. Especially when you are boarding two different flights from different airlines.
Thus, a Dubai visa on arrival is not a better option as a Dubai tourist visa, Dubai business visa, and Dubai transit visa.
How to apply for a Dubai visa on arrival
For a Dubai visa on arrival, it is essential to fly with particular airlines. The list of such approved airlines includes Etihad, Air Arabia, Emirates, Air Astana, Flydubai, Turkish Airlines, and Indigo Airlines.
Upon landing in Dubai, you need to visit the immigration office and wait for your visa on arrival for at least 3-4 hours.
Better Dubai Visa Options
With a limited number of stay period especially with Dubai visa on arrival for Indians, we recommend the other popular types of Dubai tourist visa or Dubai business visa.
In the case of transitioning via Dubai, we recommend the Dubai 96 hours transit visa.
1. Dubai 14 days tourist visa online
The Dubai tourist visa is the most commonly preferred type of visa serving many purposes. Based on the stay period, the Dubai 14 days tourist visa allows a stay of 13 days. The visa holder is required to leave the country on or before the 14th day.
2. Dubai 14 days express tourist visa online
Same as the visa mentioned- above, it generally takes up to three working days for processing this visa.
3. Dubai 30 days tourist visa online
This type of visa allows you a stay period of 29 days where you need to leave the country on or before the 30th day.
4. Dubai 30 days express tourist visa online
A Dubai 30 days express tourist visa is processed within three working days.
5. Dubai 90 days tourist visa online
A Dubai 90 days tourist visa or visit visa entitles you to stay for 89 days. You must leave the country on or before the 90th day.
6. Dubai 96 hours transit visa
It is important to have the visa of the country you intend to travel from Dubai. Also, you need to produce the round-trip confirmed tickets for the approval of a Dubai transit e-visa.
What is Dubai Visa Online Fee?
| Visa Name | Visa Fees | Blinkvisa Fee (INR) | Total Cost (INR) | Avail Cashback |
| Dubai 14 days tourist visa | 6100 | 500 + 18% GST | 6690 | 6690 |
| Dubai 14 days express tourist visa | 7050 | 500 + 18% GST | 7640 | 7640 |
| Dubai 30 days tourist visa | 6300 | 500 + 18% GST | 6890 | 6890 |
| Dubai 30 days express tourist visa | 7299 | 500 + 18% GST | 7889 | 7889 |
| Dubai 96 hours transit visa | 4499 | 500 + 18% GST | 5089 | 5089 |
| Dubai 90 days tourist Visa | 16000 | 500 + 18% GST | 16590 | 16590 |
Generally, a Dubai visa may cost you in between INR 5089 to INR 16590 depending on the type of Dubai online tourist visa. The charges include the visa fee and the Blinkvisa service charges, registration fee, and GST.
Nonetheless, the best part of registering with Blinkvisa for your Dubai e visa is as follows.
Upon paying the initial fee of INR 500, the entire visa fee gets credited into your account.
Dubai visa requirements
Earlier, we had discussed Dubai visa requirements in detail.
The must-have documents while applying for your visa
1. Copy of the first and last pages of your original passport
2. Scanned copy of your recent passport-sized colour photograph
3. Scanned copy of your original PAN card
4. Confirmed return or round-trip flight tickets
Note: When you apply for a transit visa, it is important to submit the proof of your round-trip in the form of confirmed tickets for visa approval.
The must-have Dubai visa requirements while travelling
1. Original passport with six months validity from the date of arrival in Dubai.
Note: We recommend you to apply for a new passport in the case of validity under six months from the date of arrival in Dubai.
2. Proof of accommodation
You must produce proof of hotel bookings.
In case of staying with a host/relative
You must produce the invitation letter along with a cover letter issued by your host/sponsor.
3. Proof of carrying sufficient funds
In the form of cash, credit/debit card or equivalent.
5. Original PAN card
6. Confirmed return or round-trip flight tickets for ‘Okay to Board’ clearance from the airlines.
Photo specifications for Dubai visa online
- The photograph must be of 45.0 mm x 35.0 mm dimensions
- The face must cover 70% of the photograph that is 32.0 mm x 36.0 mm
- Face orientation must be frontal
- Photo background must be white with no frames and shadows
- No hats, masks, allowed.
Note: In the case of religious headgears, it must not obstruct the face
How to apply for Dubai visa online
Blinkvisa has a simple application process as follows;
- Visit Blinkvisa
- Fill in the simple online application form
- Pay INR 500 as the application initiation fees (Get complete visa fee as Blinkcash in your Blinkwallet)
- Our visa assistant will call you within half an hour from the time of receipt of the online form
- Submit the documents requested via email (We will scrutinize and submit the application on your behalf)
- Receive the approved visa via email
- Pay the remaining visa fee to download your approved visa
- Get instant cashback on your complete Dubai visa fee
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Dubai visa on arrival FAQs
1. Can I use my Dubai 96 hour transit visa for recreational purposes?
Specific critical aspects determine the approval of your transit visa. For instance, you can use it only when you furnish proof of your confirmed flight ticket to a third country from Dubai. The bottom line is, though you can use it for touring Dubai, it must also satisfy its original purpose of being used as a transitioning visa.
2. Can I get a complete refund on my visa fee if my visa gets rejected?
Unlike other travel or visa agents, you are required to pay the complete fee only after visa approval. Thus, you will be saving on your visa fee, unlike other agents where the fee is non-refundable.
3. How does a sample Dubai eVisa look?
4. Do I need to visit the UAE Embassy to apply for a visa?
UAE embassy does not process visa applications. One has to apply for a Dubai visa online through authorised visa agents like Blinkvisa.
For more information, visit Blinkvisa
