Dubai has made A five-year multiple-entry visa available to facilitate travel between India and the Gulf countries. With a maximum stay of 180 days annually, travellers falling under this visa category are permitted to visit the UAE several times over five years.
This permits 900 days in the United Arab Emirates over five years, albeit not consecutively. The visa is issued in a little 48 hours to add to its ease.
As promised, after the application is received and approved, the visa will be issued in two working days. According to Vineet Kumar, Associate at SKV Law Offices, “This would allow the visa holder to stay in the country for 90 days, which is further extendable once for 90 days, with a total period of stay in a year not exceeding 180 days.”
This significant action comes after Dubai experienced a 25 per cent surge in Indian visitors between January and December 2023, surpassing the numbers reported in 2022. According to the most recent data released by DET on Thursday, India accounted for 2.46 million of Dubai’s overnight visitors in 2023, making it the top source market. The city reported that 1.94 million Indian tourists visited it in the previous year and 1.97 million did so in 2019.
Noteworthy
The ACKO Travel Index 2023 lists Dubai as the top foreign destination for Indian travellers, and the multiple-entry visa increases Indian travellers’ options to visit Dubai.
In addition to other procedural requirements, Delhi High Court advocate Shashank Agarwal notes that the remaining two requirements for the visa appear to be as follows:
- The applicant for a visa must provide evidence that they have spent USD 4000 or its equivalent during the last six months.
- The visitor’s stay is limited to 90 days, with a 180-day extension possible.
The particular requirements that this award may be subject to may differ, but generally speaking, they would include:
Compliance with Immigration Laws:
During their visit, visa holders are required to follow all applicable immigration rules and laws in Dubai.
Residency Obligations:
Those in possession of a visa may be required to carry out certain residency requirements, such as filing regular reports to immigration officials or acquiring residence permits if their stay exceeds a predetermined amount of time.
Study Requirements:
Enrollment in an approved Dubai-based school may be a requirement for obtaining a visa. To keep their visa, students might have to show proof of enrollment or maintain a particular standard of academic advancement.
No Employment Without Permission:
Visa holders are often not allowed to work or conduct business in Dubai unless specifically allowed.
Health Insurance:
Throughout their visit to Dubai, visa holders may be obliged to carry sufficient health insurance coverage.
Exit and Re-entry Requirements:
Although the visa permits numerous entries, there can be limitations on the length of time that can be spent in each nation as well as procedures for leaving and returning.
This is a good thing for Indian students because it will make travelling easier, reduce administrative burdens, provide them with more flexibility, and improve their academic experience.
A deal was struck earlier this month between VFS Global and Dubai’s Emirates Airline to introduce a pre-approved visa-on-arrival service for certain Indian passport holders who travel with the airline.
This special service is only available to Indian passport holders who have either a US Green Card, an EU or UK residency, or a valid six-month visa to the US. Travellers will receive a 14-day single entry visa, enabling them to avoid lines when they arrive in Dubai.
Eligibility criteria
- A passport is valid for six months at the time of application.
- A picture the size of a passport
- Valid health insurance in the United Arab Emirates.
- A six-month bank statement with a minimum balance of $4,000.
- A local phone number, mobile number, and address in the United Arab Emirates are also required.
- A copy of your return ticket and identification showing where you live.
- A letter of invitation from friends and family who live in the UAE might also be sent.
- Or offer a lease agreement or confirmation of a hotel reservation.
Applications may be submitted using a variety of outlets, including online ones like the GDFRA website and AMER service centres. This eliminates the requirement for a sponsor or host in Dubai to obtain such a visa. Although some portals, like ICP, also offer 48 hours, the turnaround period is between two and five business days. The costs are as follows: 50AED for electronic services, 500AED for issuance, and 100AED for application fees.
Over the past few years, the UAE has been loosening its visa requirements as part of its economic reforms to diversify away from oil. In addition, it extended residency periods for specific groups of professionals, students, and investors. Most recently, it did away with the $272,000 minimum down payment needed to be eligible for a golden visa through real estate investment.
Before 2019, investors had to purchase property valued at Dh2 million or more to be eligible for the 10-year renewable residency scheme.
However, to qualify for the golden visa, buyers of houses purchased through mortgages or instalment plans had to put down a minimum of Dh1 million, or 50% of the property’s worth. The latest modification completely does away with the requirement for a minimum down payment.