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An Indian passport needs a visa for Abu Dhabi. The UAE foreign ministry lists India as visa required, so there is no free stamp at the airport. ICP, which covers Abu Dhabi, offers a 14-day visa for AED 100 and a 60-day visa for AED 350 to Indians who also hold US, UK or EU papers or a listed residence permit.
Which office handles Abu Dhabi
ICP, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, handles entry permits for Abu Dhabi. GDRFA handles Dubai. For an Indian traveller the practical difference is small, since a permit is valid across the UAE. It matters when you check a file or pay a fine, because the status tool depends on the issuing office. See ICP visa status check.
Three ways in with an Indian passport
| Route | Who | Stay | ICP lists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist or visit visa | Any Indian | 30 to 90 days for most | Depends on visa type |
| 14-day visa | Indians with listed papers abroad | 14 days, one extension | AED 100 |
| 60-day visa | Indians with listed papers abroad | 60 days from entry | AED 250 plus AED 100 smart services |
| 96-hour transit | Indians with an onward ticket | 96 hours | AED 50 plus AED 100 smart services |
Sources: ICP service pages and the ICP announcement of , read on .
The 14-day and 60-day routes
ICP says an Indian who lives abroad with a valid visa or residence from the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, or a residence permit from Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada can use these visas. Family members get the same terms.
The 60-day service asks for a passport valid 6 months, a photo and a copy of the visa, residence permit or green card. It takes 2 days and can be filed at any hour on the website or app. You enter within 30 days of issue. After entry you have 60 days, with no extension.
Indian media reported in July that UK papers no longer count. The ICP pages we read in October still list the UK. Check with ICP or the airline if a UK document is your only qualifier. The full comparison of the 14-day and 60-day options is on Dubai visa on arrival for Indians. We do not repeat it here.
The ICP pages we read name no airport for the 14-day visa on arrival. We would not assume Abu Dhabi airport hands it out at the counter. Apply first.
Transit through Abu Dhabi
For a layover, the ICP port permits page lists a 96-hour transit visa for air or sea at AED 50, plus AED 100 for smart services, and 2 days to process. It needs a ticket for the onward flight and a UAE-based airline sponsor. The 48-hour visa is listed for sea ports. Details are on Abu Dhabi transit visa and Dubai transit visa for Indians.
What Dubai agencies charge
Dubai agencies publish about AED 340 to AED 800 for a 30-day single entry tourist visa (published prices of 8 Dubai agencies, checked ). That price is for the ordinary tourist visa, not the ICP 14-day or 60-day product. We found no agency range for those two. These are other firms' prices, not our quote.
Documents checklist
- Ordinary Indian passport with at least 6 months left
- Passport photo on a white background
- Copy of the US, UK, EU or other qualifying visa or residence, 6 months left
- Return ticket
- For transit: a ticket to a third country and a visa for it, if needed
Why Indian applications fail
- The US or UK visa has under 6 months left
- A visitor visa from Canada or Australia, where only residence permits count
- Expecting the 60-day visa to be extended
- Landing after the 30-day entry window
- A family member applying on the main applicant's document
How it works with us
Send your Indian passport copy and, if you have one, the US, UK or EU visa page on WhatsApp, or use the form on this page. A visa adviser checks the dates and tells you whether the 14-day, the 60-day, a transit visa or a normal tourist visa suits the trip. You get one total price before you pay. The team files with ICP, follows it and sends you the permit. DubaiVisaDesk.com is a private visa service. ICP makes the decision.
If the application is refused, the authorities keep their fees. Before you pay, your adviser tells you in writing what part of our total, if any, comes back.
Official sources
- ICP 60-day visa service: fee, documents, entry window.
- ICP announcement on wider eligibility: 14-day visa, nationalities, family members.
- ICP port permits and transit: 96-hour transit.
- UAE foreign ministry exemptions: India listed as visa required.
Checked . For the wider picture see Dubai visa for Indians and Abu Dhabi visa.
