India Expands UAE Visa-on-Arrival to Nine Airports Nationwide

(INDIA) India has rolled out a major expansion of its Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) facility for UAE nationals, extending the scheme to nine major international airports across the country in a move aimed at making short-term travel easier and faster. The VoA, earlier restricted to fewer entry points, is now available at Cochin, Calicut, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Mumbai, giving visitors from the United Arab Emirates a far wider choice of arrival hubs.

Who is eligible?

Under the expanded scheme, the VoA option is not open to every UAE passport holder on a first trip. The Indian government has kept in place a key condition: only UAE nationals who have previously held an Indian e-Visa or regular sticker visa are allowed to use the Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) facility.

• First-time travelers from the UAE must still secure either an e-Visa or a regular visa in advance, through Indian missions or the official online system, before they can fly.
• Travelers should carry evidence of prior Indian e-Visa or sticker visa (for example, an old passport with the visa).

Permitted purposes and stay conditions

Once eligibility is met, the scheme is broad in terms of purpose:

• The VoA can be issued for tourism, business, conferences, and medical visits.
• The visa permits a stay of up to 60 days in India.
• Travelers may be issued a double-entry VoA, allowing two entries within the 60-day period.

Important limitations:

• The VoA is not extendable and cannot be converted into any other visa type. Travelers must plan stays within the fixed period.

Frequency of use

One flexible feature is:

• There is no limit on how many times a UAE national can use the VoA in a single calendar year, provided they continue to meet the eligibility rule of having held an Indian e-Visa or regular visa in the past.

This supports spontaneous or repeat travel such as last-minute business trips, family visits, or follow-up medical appointments.

Airports covered

The VoA is available at the following nine major international airports:

• Cochin (Kochi)
• Calicut (Kozhikode)
• Ahmedabad
• Chennai
• Delhi
• Hyderabad
• Bangalore (Bengaluru)
• Kolkata
• Mumbai

Application process

The application process combines online and on-arrival options:

• UAE nationals can fill out the required VoA application form Annexure-A ahead of time via India’s official Indian visa portal or the government’s “Indian Visa Su-Swagatam” mobile app.
• The same form can also be completed at the airport on arrival, though officials encourage completing it in advance to reduce time at immigration.
• The Annexure-A form is available through the official visa portal, which hosts other Indian visa application forms and instructions.

Arrival requirements and documents

On landing at any of the nine airports, travelers must present:

• A completed disembarkation card
• Recent passport-sized photographs
• A passport valid for at least six months with at least two blank pages

Immigration officers may also request:

• Proof of accommodation
• Evidence of sufficient funds
• A confirmed return or onward ticket

These checks are to verify identity, travel history, and ensure the visit is genuinely short-term.

Fees

The Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) is not free.

• Fee: ₹2,000 per traveler (approximately AED 83)
• The fee is charged for each person, including children and must be paid before the visa is issued.
• Payment is usually accepted at designated counters in the arrival hall.

Exclusions and restrictions

The facility has clear exclusions:

• The expanded VoA is not available to persons, or to people whose parents or grandparents were born in or are permanent residents of Pakistan.
• Such travelers, even if holding UAE nationality, must obtain a regular Indian visa through an Indian embassy or consulate before travel.

This carve-out preserves existing security and political restrictions within India’s broader visa policy.

Strategic rationale and expected impact

Indian officials frame the move as part of a wider push to deepen ties with the UAE, a close economic partner in the Gulf. The expanded VoA network is expected to:

• Support rising two-way traffic, especially strong since 2023, including busy Dubai–South India routes.
• Help Kerala’s tourism and medical sectors via easier access through Cochin and Calicut.
• Support business and manufacturing links via entry points such as Ahmedabad.
• Encourage Indian tourism operators, hospitals, and businesses in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, and other cities to target UAE nationals more actively.

Regional reciprocity and context

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the VoA expansion aligns with recent measures on the UAE side:

• The UAE authorities have worked to make travel smoother for Indians.
• The UAE expanded its own visa-on-arrival scheme for Indian nationals in February 2025.

This two-way easing is seen as reinforcing trade, tourism, and people-to-people links between the two countries’ large expatriate and business communities.

Key takeaway: The expanded VoA makes short-term travel between the UAE and India simpler for repeat visitors who have previously held an Indian e-Visa or sticker visa, but first-time travelers and certain excluded nationals still need to obtain a visa in advance.

Practical tips for travelers

• Verify that a prior e-Visa or regular visa has indeed been granted in the past and carry proof (old passport with visas if applicable).
• Complete Annexure-A on the official visa portal or the “Indian Visa Su-Swagatam” app before travel to save time at immigration.
• Carry photographs, disembarkation card, and ensure passport validity (at least six months) and two blank pages.
• Be prepared to show accommodation details, sufficient funds, and a return/onward ticket if requested.
• Budget for the ₹2,000 (≈AED 83) fee per person, payable on arrival at designated counters.

Where to confirm latest rules

The Indian government directs interested travelers to consult the official visa information pages before booking flights. This is important to:

• Confirm eligibility and current instructions on forms like Annexure-A
• Check payment methods and operational updates at specific airports

With this expansion, travel barriers at the border are lower for repeat visitors, and various Indian sectors are expected to proactively attract UAE nationals for tourism, business, and medical visits.