Planning a visit to Dubai just got easier for certain Indian citizens traveling with Emirates. Thanks to a new pre-approved visa-on-arrival facility, eligible Indian passport holders can now skip immigration queues upon arrival in Dubai and "breeze through customs," as announced by the airline on Thursday, February 1st. This initiative issues a 14-day visa on arrival online exclusively for Indian passport holders who have booked their tickets with Emirates.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the necessary steps, requirements, and costs involved in obtaining your visa pre-approval, allowing you to focus on enjoying your trip to this vibrant city.
Eligibility for Emirates' Pre-Approved Visa on Arrival Service
Visa on arrival requirements for Indian citizens: As per the latest visa details available on the airline's website, Indian citizens meeting the criteria of holding a standard passport with at least six months of validity can acquire a single-entry, 14-day visa upon arrival.
Eligibility
• Indian passport holders with a valid USA visa for at least six months.
• Indian passport holders possessing a valid USA green card for at least six months.
• Indian passport holders with a valid UK residence card for at least six months.
• Indian passport holders with EU residence cards from select countries, valid for a minimum of six months:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal.
According to Emirates, the service fee for this facility is US$63 (Dh231.40).
Pre-Approved Visa on Arrival Process: How to Apply
Emirates passengers can seamlessly initiate their visa pre-approval process through emirates.com or their preferred travel agent. Upon booking, travelers receive a booking reference, also known as the Passenger Name Record (PNR) number, which is essential for visa application.
To apply for visa pre-approval, simply follow these user-friendly steps:
• Visit emirates.com, navigate to 'Manage,' then 'Retrieve your booking.'
• Enter your last name and booking reference or PNR, and click 'Retrieve Booking.'
• Choose the 'Apply for a UAE visa' option under 'Additional Services.'
• Click 'Continue to visa application' to be redirected to the Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC) website, operated by VFS Global Services.
• On the DVPC website, you'll find the eligibility requirements for UAE visa on arrival.
• Complete the pre-approval application by uploading the required documents and processing the service payment.
Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC) is an exclusive facility operated by VFS Global Services, designated by Emirates and the Government of Dubai to process UAE visas seamlessly via its online portal linked to emirates.com.
Emirates operates flights to nine destinations across India, offering a total of 167 weekly flights. With a vast global network spanning over 140 destinations, Emirates connects travelers worldwide. In India, Emirates serves cities such as Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram.