Visa on arrival for Indians with US visa
The visa will be valid for 14 days and can be extended for a similar period once
Permit to be issued from May 1 will be valid for 14 days and can be extended for a similar period one time only |
Indian passport holders with valid American visas or Green Card will be eligible to get a UAE visa on arrival at all ports starting May 1, officials said yesterday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs this week circulated a letter among authorities to grant the UAE visa to Indians with valid America visas or Green Card following a Cabinet decision last month.
Shaikh Khalid Bin Essam Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation in Sharjah, told Gulf News yesterday that the circular followed instructions from the Ministry of Foreign affairs.
The circular was sent to all UAE border posts, including airports and ports, he said.
Officials at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai confirmed that they will start implementing the order from May 1.
The decision to have a simplified visa process is aimed at advancing the UAE-India relations in economics, politics and trade. It also contributes to achieving UAE’s vision to be the leading country in attracting global tourism.
“Citizens of India who are holders of normal passports with a six-month, or more, valid green card or visa issued by the USA shall be granted entry visas to the UAE from all ports for a period of 14 days, subject to a single renewal for the same period upon payment of applicable fees,” an official statement said in March.
According to the latest figures, UAE-India trade has grown to around $60 billion (Dh220 billion) per annum, making India the second largest trading partner of UAE. The UAE exports to India totalled $27 billion (Dh99 billion) while Indian exports to the UAE totalled $33 billion (Dh121 billion).
The number of Indian tourists coming to the UAE last year reached about 1.6 million, and there were over 50,000 UAE tourists who visited India in the same year. There are about 143 flights a day between the UAE and Indian cities, at a rate of 1,000 flights per week.
Strong bonds of friendship between the UAE and India have found clear expression in the series of high-level bilateral visits between the two countries in the past two years. The move to grant visas on arrival to Indians with US visas is a part of the close cooperation between the two countries.
The fee for an entry permit will be Dh100. The fee for one time extension of the entry permit will be Dh250.