How To Get An Indian Visa For UAE Residents?
Thinking about traveling to India from the UAE? We are here with the most crucial processes that you need to undergo in order to obtain a hassle-free India visa. India has always been a popular tourist destination renowned for history, art, spirituality, beauty, and so much more. Put your worries aside on the Indian visa requirements with this guide. Here is a step by step to Indian visa for UAE residents.
Get an Indian Visa for the UAE Nationals: Here’s How?
I) Tourist Visa Types
Visa On Arrival
India provides a visa on arrival facility for Emiratis only for those who have got an e-visa or paper visa to visit India earlier. This is as per the Bureau of Immigration directions in India. We get the visa on arrival at Indian airports such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
Regular Paper Visa
Regular paper visa is issued by the Embassy of India.
E-Visa
Applicants may apply online at least four days in advance from the intended date of travel.
Visa Validity:
UAE nationals will have a 60-day Indian visa on arrival with double entry for tourism.
Visa Requirements:
- Does not have a residence or occupation in India.
- The sole purpose of travel is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit, tourism.
- Need to submit a properly filled visa application form.
- Should have a passport with a minimum of 6 months validity.
- Should have a minimum of two blank pages in the passport.
- GCC nationals must provide a copy of a valid photo ID issued from the UAE.
- Two recent color passport photos.
How To Apply?
To submit a visa application online, please click here.
II) Work Visa Types
Employment Visa
Employment visas are issued to persons engaged or appointed by companies and organizations. It is issued only to skilled and qualified professionals or persons.
Visa Validity:
Your passport should have a minimum validity of six months to be eligible for an Employment Visa from the date of issue.
Visa Requirements:
- Must have a minimum of two blank pages in the passport.
- GCC nationals to provide a valid photo ID issued from the UAE.
- UAE residents with Abu Dhabi or Al-Ain issued visas must provide residency proof (electricity bill/ tenancy contract).
- The Embassy may ask for additional documents.
- The submission of an application does not guarantee the issue of a visa.
- Do not complete travel plans until the Indian Visa Application Centre accepts the application to issue a visa.
How To Apply?
To submit the visa application, please click here.
Indian Visa For UAE Residents with Pakistan Passport
I) Tourist Visa Types
Visit Visa
Pakistan nationals are not eligible for a Tourist visa or Entry visa into India. You may opt for a visitor visa. It is granted to those PAK expats in the UAE who have blood relatives in India. It also requires documentary proof.
Visa on Arrival
The immigration officer may grant a visa on arrival as a single entry up to 45 days. The visa on arrival is non-extendable or non-convertible. India does not permit visas on arrival for travel to Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Kerala, Cantonment Areas, and protected area regime. It is provided only at the Immigration Check Post in Attari.
Visa Validity:
The validity of stay cannot exceed six months from the date of issue of travel. This also includes a stay at a maximum of five specific places in India. Each specific place cannot allow a continuous stay of beyond three months.
Visa Requirements: (Bureau Of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs)
- Should have a passport with at least six months validity in addition to a valid UAE residence page.
- A minimum of two blank pages in the passport is required.
- The validity of the visa is from the date of issue.
- Documentation of the reason for travel.
- Documentation establishing contacts in India.
- Friend/Relative from India to provide Indian ID / valid passport proof.
- If the spouse is Indian, then an Indian passport copy.
- NOC from spouse/parents.
- Pakistan National Reference FAX form.
- Proof of Residency.
- An attested copy of the marriage certificate.
- Sponsorship certificate attested by the concerned officer/ Group A officer of the Central and State government.
- Copy of National Identity Card.
- Copy of Proof of residence.
- Two passport size photographs.
- Hotel confirmation.
- Sponsorship certificate duly attested.
- Clear copy of Pakistan National Identity Card and Emirates ID.
- Previous Indian visa copy.
How To Apply?
Pakistani nationals from the UAE can apply for an Indian visa online here. Please carry a print out when visiting ICP Attari.
II) Work Visa Types
Business visa
Pakistan expats living in the UAE can apply for a Business visa and can visit over five places in India. However, the entry and exit points have to be the same city.
Non-residents cannot apply for any visa.
Visa Validity:
The business visa is valid for 15 days for specified places. It is a single entry visa and is not entitled to diplomatic or non-diplomatic visa travel.
Visa Requirements: (besides the requirements for tourist visa)
- Business visa original invitation letter by the Chamber of Commerce in India.
- Original NOC form from the local sponsor attested with signature and seal of the authority.
- Valid trade license copy of the company.
- Bank statement for five years with original seal.
- An audit report of the local company.
How To Apply?
Pakistani ex-pats from the UAE who want to visit India, can apply online here.
Indian Visa For UAE Residents with EU Passports
I) Tourist Visa Type/Validity
One month e-tourist visa
The 30-day double entry visa is non-extendable and non-convertible.
One year e-tourist visa
365 days e tourist visa is allowed from the date of arrival. It is a multiple entry visa.
Five years e-tourist visa
The multiple-entry five years e tourist visa is available for European citizens from the ETA.
Visa Requirements:
- A valid passport with a validity of three months from the departure date.
- Must have two blank pages in the passport.
- Copy of confirmed return airline ticket.
- Two recent photographs.
- Duly filled visa application form.
- Proof of residence.
- The sole aim of travel should be sightseeing, visiting relatives or friends or recreation.
How To Apply?
EU expats living in the UAE can apply for a visa online here.
II) Work Visa Types
E-Business Visa
E-Business visa for India is a double entry visa from the date of first entry into the country. Foreigners can apply up to 120 days before their expected date of arrival. Please note that it is advisable to keep at least four days before the trip for application processing time.
The visa type is non-convertible and non-extendable. There are 28 designated airports and 5 designated seaports for the e-Business visa holder to arrive in the country. They can exit the country from any of the Immigration Check Posts in India. Other entry points will require you to get a visa at an embassy or consulate.
Visa Validity:
The validity, once the visa is approved, is 180 days. Citizens can get a maximum of two e-Business visas in one year.
Visa Requirements:
- Carry a copy of the approved e-Business visa at all times. This should be authorized by the Indian authorities.
- Should have valid individual passports regardless of age.
- The e-Business visa is not valid in protected/restricted Cantonment Areas.
- Passport must be valid for 6 months from the date of arrival in India.
- The passport should have at least two blank pages.
- Diplomatic passport holders cannot apply for an e-Business visa.
- Business card and business letter.
- Details of sending or receiving organizations.
- A business visa is granted to a highly skilled worker or qualified professional only.
How To Apply?
EU ex-pats residing in the UAE can apply for an Indian visa online here.
Find your travel guide here.
Indian Visa For UAE Residents with Philippines Passport
I) Tourist Visa Types
E Tourist visa
E Tourist visa (eTV) is available for Philippines expats UAE residents. The visitor can travel with a printout of authorization to present at the immigration counters. The sole aim should be sightseeing, casual visits, meet relatives, casual business visits, short duration medical treatment.
The eTV cannot be issued more than twice in one calendar year. It is available as a visa on arrival in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Goa. The visa is a single, double, or multiple entries. The Tourist e visa cannot be used to seek work or employment.
Visa Validity:
The eTV allows entry from the date of approval of ETA and is valid for a 90-day stay in India. The Tourist e visa is valid for one year from the date of issue.
Visa Requirements:
- Two recent color photographs.
- Passport validity of six months from the date of travel is necessary.
- Copy of itinerary and reservation.
- Proof of finances (bank document, sponsorship letter)
- Hotel booking
- Return tickets
- Filled out an application form along with travel documents.
How To Apply?
If you are a Philippine expat living in the UAE, then you can apply for an Indian visa online here.
You can also submit a hard copy of the completed application form at the Indian Visa Application Centre at the embassy with valid documents.
You can also use the services of Indian Visa Outsourcing Service.
II) Work Visa Types
eBusiness visa
The eBusiness visa is a double entry visa to India only for business purposes. The eBusiness visa is for trade and sales/purchase. It is a double entry visa.
Visa Validity:
The business visa for India is valid for a stay of a maximum of 180 days. Citizens can get a maximum of two eBusiness visas in one year. Foreigners can apply for their business trip up to 120 days before arrival in India. It is advisable to apply for a business visa at least four days in advance.
Visa Requirements:
- One passport size photograph.
- Should have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of return.
- Two blank pages in the passport are required.
- An invitation letter from the Indian company.
- A sponsorship letter.
- Proof of finances for the last six months.
- Copy of air ticket.
- Visa fee.
- Duly filled visa application form.
- Clearance letters from the Government of India (for conferences).
How To Apply?
Filipino expats UAE residents can apply for an Indian work visa online here.
Recommended Reads:
Guide to Schengen Visa for UAE Residents
A Complete Guide to UK Visa For UAE Residents
Nikita Aswani