Abu Dhabi Visa for Indians

Entry to Abu Dhabi is through the United Arab Emirates, and UAE immigration rules apply. Our research describes a visa on arrival for Indian passport holders with certain documents. It is conditional, not available to every Indian passport holder, and the eligible groups have changed over time. In February 2025 the UAE expanded eligibility for holders of residence permits from several more countries. Read this page as a guide to what is known, then confirm the rules with the official source before you book.

Do Indians need a visa for Abu Dhabi?

Eligible Indian ordinary-passport holders can get a visa on arrival. If you do not hold one of the qualifying documents, apply for a UAE tourist visa in advance. Our research does not describe the application steps for that route, so confirm them with the official source or an authorised channel.

Who can get a visa on arrival?

Indian ordinary-passport holders who hold a valid visa, residence permit or Green Card from one of these places:

• The United States, or a US Green Card.
• The United Kingdom.
• The European Union and Schengen area.
• Australia.
• Canada.
• Japan.
• New Zealand.
• Singapore.
• South Korea.

The qualifying document must be valid and unexpired on the day you arrive.

What does the visa on arrival allow?

• Stay: 14 days from entry, extendable once for a further 14 days, subject to applicable requirements and fees.
• Fee: AED 100, if immigration approves. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount before you travel.
• Where: the immigration counter at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.
• Processing time: not officially confirmed, so do not plan a tight arrival around it.

Documents you need

• Ordinary Indian passport: valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the UAE. This is critical.
• Qualifying visa, residence permit or Green Card: valid and unexpired, from one of the eligible places above. This is critical.
• Return or onward ticket: not confirmed in the official sources we hold. Carry one, and confirm the requirement with your airline and the official source.

How does the process work?

1. At the UAE entry point, present your Indian passport and your qualifying foreign visa, residence permit or Green Card.
2. If immigration approves, pay the visa-on-arrival fee of AED 100.
3. If you need more time, apply for the one-time 14-day extension before your first stay ends. The exact channel for this is not confirmed in our research, so ask the official source.

What mistakes should you avoid?

• Assuming every Indian passport holder qualifies for visa on arrival. It is conditional.
• Travelling with a passport valid for less than six months. Entry may be refused.
• Using an expired or invalid qualifying visa or residence permit. The visa on arrival may not be granted.
• Overstaying the 14-day permission without an approved extension. Immigration penalties may apply.

Does a Tripstor package include the visa?

Visa assistance is included in our Abu Dhabi package, and your planner explains what help applies to your documents. The UAE visa fee and travel insurance are not included, and flights are booked separately. Ask your planner before you book, so you know which steps you handle yourself.

Plan your Abu Dhabi trip

Once your visa position is clear, read how to reach Abu Dhabi for airport and transfer details, when to visit Abu Dhabi for the weather, and our Abu Dhabi tour packages. The three-night Abu Dhabi Yas Island Theme Parks 3N includes visa assistance.