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Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
People wait for their flight after rain hit Dubai, causing delays at Dubai International Airport, in Dubai, UAE, April 17, 2024. (Reuters)
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced a new visa-on-arrival policy, facilitating the entry of people holding permanent residence cards or visas from the United States, the United Kingdom, or any European Union country.
This update was shared by the Indian campaign in the UAE on Thursday through social media on X. As per the new policy, Indian citizens and their family members holding regular passports will be granted visa on arrival at all ports of entry. the UAE. This applies to owners of:
- A valid visa, residency, or green card issued by the United States of America.
- A valid visa or residence permit issued by countries in the European Union and the United Kingdom.
- The validity period of the passport must not be less than (6) months.
The above-mentioned persons have the option of obtaining a visa on arrival for 14 days, which can be extended for the same period, or obtaining a visa on arrival for 60 days, which cannot be extended, after paying the prescribed fees in accordance with the norms in force in the UAE.
India-UAE relations
India and the UAE enjoy close and culturally friendly relations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Since the establishment of the UAE, there has been steady progress in bilateral relations and from 2014 onwards, these relations have received special attention under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
People-to-people ties are the strongest link between India and the UAE, which hosts more than 3.5 million Indians. India is also a top source of tourism for the UAE. Travel agents in the UAE have welcomed the move to provide more Indians with visas on arrival in the country.
Reaction
“We expect our business to increase by at least 15 to 17 percent with this initiative,” Praveen Chawdhary of Saffron Travel and Tourism, was quoted as saying. The Khaleej Times. “People who usually go to the EU or the UK from India often choose to go through the UAE. Now that they have the option of getting a visa on arrival, many travelers will choose to spend at least an extra day or two here and explore the UAE before continuing their journey.”
Safeer Mahamood, general manager at Smart Travels, told the Gulf outlet that “they expect the demand for our services to increase by at least 10 to 15 percent.” “It comes at a good time too, as the best travel season is between November and March. There are several groups of people who will be flying to Europe to visit their families. Now, these people will choose to pass through the UAE and stay here for a day or two.”
