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If you hold an Indian, Filipino, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, Kenyan or South African passport and a valid US, UK or EU visa or residence, you skip the normal tourist visa. ICP issues a 60-day single entry visa for AED 350 in all, in 2 days. Indians with a US visa or green card, or UK or EU residence, can also get a 14-day visa on arrival through GDRFA.
This route is about your passport. US, UK and EU citizens do not need it: their own passports get a visa on arrival. See UAE visa on arrival.
Who qualifies
Two things must be true at the same time.
Your nationality is one of seven. India has had this route for some time. ICP's announcement of added Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa.
You hold a qualifying document, valid 6 more months:
- a US visa, US green card or US residence
- a UK visa or residence
- an EU visa or residence
- a residence permit from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore or New Zealand
The same announcement lets family members use the route on the same conditions. Each person needs their own eligible passport and document.
The three versions, side by side
| GDRFA 14-day visa on arrival | ICP or GDRFA 14-day visa | ICP 60-day visa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | Indian citizens | All seven nationalities | All seven nationalities |
| Document | US visa or green card, UK or EU residence visa | Visa or residence from the countries listed | Visa or residence from the countries listed |
| Stay | 14 days | 14 days | 60 days from entry |
| Extension | Once, same period | Once, AED 250 at ICP | Not extendable |
| Fee | Not stated with a currency on the page | AED 100 | AED 250 + AED 100 smart services |
| Entry | At arrival, or online first | Enter within 30 days of issue | Single entry, within 30 days of issue |
| Time | 48 hours online | 48 hours GDRFA | 2 days |
Source: ICP announcement and 60-day visa service page, GDRFA Indian visa on arrival and certain-nationalities pages, checked .
Emirates sells the same entry permits to its passengers for USD 63 (14 days) and USD 141.36 (60 days). That is the airline's price, not a government fee.
Where the pages do not match
The GDRFA visa on arrival page for Indians names a UK or EU residence visa, not a UK or EU visit visa. ICP's 60-day page accepts a visa or residence from the US, EU or UK. If you are Indian with only a UK or Schengen visit visa, use the ICP route rather than relying on a stamp at the airport. The GDRFA page for the six newer nationalities also shows an empty fee section, so the fee lines above come from ICP.
WAM's headline called the expansion a "visa on arrival". The service pages describe a visa you apply for and then use within 30 days. Plan on applying first.
What Dubai agencies charge
We did not find enough published agency prices for this visa to quote a fair range.
Documents checklist
- Ordinary passport, valid at least 6 months
- Photo on a white background
- Copy of the US visa, green card, UK or EU visa or residence, or the other residence permit
- That document must be valid at least 6 months
- Return or onward ticket and hotel booking for your own planning
At the airport, carry the original US, UK or EU document, not just a copy.
Steps to apply
- Check both documents for 6 months of validity.
- Decide on 14 days with one extension, or 60 days with none.
- Apply on ICP smart services with UAE Pass or GDRFA online, or ask your airline.
- Pay and wait 48 hours to 2 days for the email.
- Enter within 30 days of issue.
Extending
Only the 14-day visa extends, once, for another 14 days. ICP lists AED 250. GDRFA's service for extending a visa on arrival lists AED 600 plus 5% VAT. The 60-day visa has no extension. To stay longer, you leave, or you apply for a new visa on another route, such as the 60-day Dubai visa. Overstay is AED 50 a day.
Common refusal reasons
- The US, UK or EU visa has less than 6 months left.
- The document is a visa from a country not on the list.
- A family member applies on the main applicant's document.
- An Indian applicant on a diplomatic or official passport: the Indian route asks for an ordinary passport.
- The 30-day entry window passes before you fly.
How it works with us
Send your passport and the page with your US, UK or EU visa, green card or residence on WhatsApp, or upload them in the form here. A visa adviser checks the dates on both, tells you which version fits your trip and length of stay, and says plainly if you would be better on a normal tourist visa. You get one total price before paying. The team files the visa, follows it to approval and sends you the e-visa. DubaiVisaDesk.com is a private visa service. ICP or GDRFA makes the decision, not us.
If the visa is refused, the authorities keep the government fee. Before you pay, your adviser tells you in writing what part of our total, if any, would come back.
Nationality pages
Read the rules for your passport: Dubai visa for Indians, Dubai visa on arrival for Indians, Dubai visa for Filipinos and Dubai visa for Kenyans.
Official sources
- ICP announcement on expanded eligibility: new nationalities, 14 and 60-day fees, family members.
- ICP 60-day visa for nationals residing abroad: conditions, fees, entry window.
- GDRFA visa on arrival for Indian citizens: documents, 14 days, extension.
- GDRFA visa for certain nationalities resident outside the UAE: nationalities and residence countries.
- ICP visa extension: 14-day extension fee.
- Emirates UAE visa information: airline prices.
Checked . Check the ICP page before you pay.
