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Dubai (UAE) visitor visa guide
Most Indian citizens need a visa before they fly to Dubai. The visa is usually applied for by a sponsor inside the UAE: a resident relative or friend, an airline, a hotel or a licensed travel agent. Indian citizens who already hold a US visa or green card, or a UK or EU residence visa, may have a quicker option. This guide reflects the official UAE pages as of October 2026.
Main visit and tourist visas
Single-entry or multiple-entry visit visas for 30, 60 or 90 days. A 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa also exists, with stays of 90 days per visit.
Who can sponsor
A UAE resident relative or friend; an airline (Emirates, Etihad or flydubai, under its own conditions); a licensed UAE hotel or travel agent; or the event organiser for an event visa. UAE embassies do not issue tourist visas.
Sponsor income (relatives and friends)
The resident host needs a minimum monthly income of AED 4,000 for first-degree relatives (parents, spouse, children), AED 8,000 for second- or third-degree relatives and AED 15,000 for friends.
Indians with a US, UK or EU visa or residence
Ordinary passport holders with a valid US visa, US green card, or a UK or EU visa or residence permit (and some others) can get a 60-day entry visa online. It cannot be extended. The fees are AED 250 plus a AED 100 smart services fee. A separate 14-day visa, extendable once, is also listed.
Fees
These depend on the visa type and the channel. For example, Dubai's single-entry relative or friend visa lists AED 200, 300 or 400 for 30, 60 or 90 days, plus 5% VAT. There is also a refundable deposit, insurance and service charges on top. Airline, hotel and agent fees are set by them.
Processing
The official pages list about 2 days (ICP) or 48 hours (GDRFA Dubai) once the application is complete. Apply well before you travel.
1Visit visa for a graduation ceremony
There is no special graduation visa for Dubai. Parents usually travel on an ordinary visit visa or tourist visa.
If your son or daughter holds a UAE residence visa, they may be able to sponsor you as first-degree relatives. They must meet the minimum monthly income of AED 4,000 and have an active sponsor file. If they cannot sponsor you, a tourist visa through an airline, a licensed hotel or a travel agent is the usual route.
Plan early. The visa must be used to enter the UAE within 60 days of issue. Choose a length of stay that covers the ceremony and a few spare days.
Useful supporting documents: the graduation invitation or a letter from the university, your child's UAE residence details and Emirates ID copy (if they sponsor you), proof of relationship such as a birth certificate, your return ticket and your hotel booking or your child's address.
2Visit visa for an event or family visit
A UAE resident can sponsor a relative or friend for a single-entry or multiple-entry visit visa of 30, 60 or 90 days. The host needs a minimum monthly income: AED 4,000 for first-degree relatives, AED 8,000 for second- or third-degree relatives and AED 15,000 for a friend.
Dubai's official page asks for passport copies valid for at least 6 months, photos, proof of relationship (such as a marriage or birth certificate) and the host's salary certificate or employment contract. A refundable financial deposit is also taken. You also need valid UAE health insurance and a return ticket.
To attend a festival, exhibition, conference or cultural, sports or educational event, a separate visa sponsored by a public or private organisation exists. It needs a letter from the host organisation giving the event details and dates.
A visit visa is not a work visa. You cannot take up a job on it.
Useful supporting documents: proof of relationship, the host's Emirates ID, passport and salary certificate, the reason for the visit, your health insurance, your return ticket and, for events, the organiser's letter.
3Tourist visa
Visit and tourism visas are issued for 30, 60 or 90 days. Tourism visas are sponsored by licensed tourism establishments and need a tour programme statement.
Emirates, Etihad and flydubai can arrange visas for their passengers. Each airline sets its own conditions, and one of them is flying with that airline. Licensed UAE hotels and travel agents can also arrange a visa if you buy your ticket through them and book that hotel.
A 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa is open to all nationalities. You sponsor yourself, and each visit can last 90 days. It needs a bank balance of USD 4,000 or its equivalent during the last six months, UAE-valid health insurance and a return ticket.
Check that a travel agent is genuine before you pay or send copies of documents.
Useful supporting documents: passport, photo, return ticket, hotel booking, health insurance and, for the 5-year visa, six months of bank statements.
4Extending or applying again
Some visit visas can be extended from inside the UAE. A relative or friend visit visa can be extended one or more times, up to 180 days in total. Visit and tourism visas can be extended up to 120 days in total. Extensions cost extra fees.
The 60-day visa for Indians holding US, UK or EU visas or residence cannot be extended. The 14-day visa can be extended once for the same period.
Each new visa is a fresh application. Leave on time and keep the extension approval if you are granted one.
Useful supporting documents: your passport, photo and the documents used for the original application.
How the application process works
Choose the right visa
Decide between a relative or friend visit visa, a tourist visa, an event visa or, if you hold a US, UK or EU visa or residence, the 60-day visa.
Agree on a sponsor
Your resident relative, the airline, the hotel, the travel agent or the event organiser applies for you. For the 60-day visa you apply yourself online.
Gather documents
Passport valid for at least 6 months, photo, proof of relationship or bookings, health insurance and return ticket.
Submit online or at a centre
The sponsor applies through ICP or GDRFA Dubai (website or app), a typing centre or an AMER centre, or through the airline, hotel or agent.
Pay fees and any deposit
Fees depend on the visa and channel. A refundable deposit may be taken for relative visas.
Receive the e-visa and travel
The approved entry permit is sent to the sponsor or to your email. Print it and enter the UAE within its validity.
Documents to keep ready
Application documents
Passport valid for at least 6 months, personal photo on a white background, UAE-valid health insurance, and the sponsor's documents (Emirates ID, passport, salary certificate or employment contract) for a relative visa.
Financial evidence
For a relative visa, the host's salary proof. For the 5-year tourist visa, six months of bank statements. Keep your own recent bank statements too.
Reasons to return
A confirmed return ticket, your hotel booking or host's address, and for events or graduations the invitation or organiser's letter.
The official pages do not set a single minimum for short visit visas. The host's income threshold applies to relative visas, and USD 4,000 applies only to the 5-year tourist visa. Carry enough to cover your stay.
Before you travel
A visit or tourist visa does not allow work.
Overstaying, or using an expired entry visa, leads to fines. The ICP lists AED 50 per day.
Enter within the permit's validity and leave before your permitted stay ends.
Entry is decided at the border, even with a visa.
Golden Globe Overseas Education can help you understand the process, organise documents and prepare for the interview. Visa decisions are made by the immigration authorities of Dubai.
