India UAE visa expansion: India expands Visa-on-Arrival to Cochin, Calicut, and Ahmedabad for eligible UAE nationals. Learn about eligibility, documents, fees, and benefits for travelers.
India Expands Visa‑on‑Arrival for UAE Nationals: Major Boost to Bilateral Mobility
In a strategic move to strengthen people-to-people ties and facilitate more cross-border travel, India has expanded its Visa‑on‑Arrival (VoA) facility for United Arab Emirates (UAE) nationals. As of November 2025, the scheme now includes three additional international airports: Cochin (Kochi), Calicut (Kozhikode), and Ahmedabad. This development broadens the total number of Indian airports offering this facility to nine, joining the existing six — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
What Is Covered Under the Expanded Visa‑on‑Arrival Scheme
Under the updated VoA policy:
- UAE citizens who have previously held an Indian visa (either an e‑visa or a regular paper visa) are eligible.
- The maximum stay allowed is 60 days, and the visa permits double entry within that period.
- The visa is valid for a variety of purposes, including tourism, business trips, medical treatment, and participation in conferences.
- Applicants must present a passport with at least six months’ validity, along with financial proof, confirmed accommodation, and onward or return travel plans.
- A fee of ₹ 2,000 per person (including children) is charged. This can be paid in Indian rupees or equivalent foreign currency.
- There is no limit on how many times a UAE national can use the VoA facility in a calendar year — meaning multiple visits are possible
Who Is Not Eligible
However, there are key exclusions: UAE nationals whose parents or grandparents were born in or are permanent residents of Pakistan are not eligible for this Visa‑on‑Arrival. These individuals must continue to use the regular visa application process through Indian embassies or consulates.
Why These Specific Airports?
The addition of Cochin, Calicut, and Ahmedabad is significant:
- These airports act as important regional hubs — Kerala (with Cochin and Calicut) for tourism and medical travel, and Gujarat (via Ahmedabad) for business and trade.
- By decentralizing VoA access, India is not only making entry more convenient for UAE visitors but also supporting economic and tourism growth in these regions.
- It aligns with India’s broader strategy to deepen bilateral relations with the UAE, including in trade, tourism, and diaspora engagement.
Challenges and Implementation Considerations
While the expansion is a positive diplomatic and logistical step, its success depends on efficient on-ground execution:
- Immigration desks at Cochin, Calicut, and Ahmedabad will need to handle increased traffic, which requires adequate staffing and infrastructure.
- Clear communication to travelers is essential — especially about eligibility conditions (prior Indian visa, exclusion criteria) — to prevent confusion at arrival.
- Regular monitoring will be necessary to assess how many UAE nationals actually use this facility and whether further expansion (or restrictions) are warranted.
Why This News Is Important
Boost to People-to-People Ties
This policy change significantly enhances connectivity between India and the UAE, making travel easier for Emiratis. Given the strong Indian diaspora in the UAE and increasing business exchanges, simpler visa access strengthens social, familial, and economic links.
Economic and Tourism Gains
By adding key regional airports like Cochin, Calicut, and Ahmedabad, India is likely to boost inbound tourism, trade, and medical travel. These areas will particularly benefit, as easier entry can lead to more visitors for wellness tourism in Kerala and business tourism in Gujarat.
Diplomatic Significance
The expansion of VoA is a symbol of growing trust and cooperation between India and the UAE. It reflects India’s willingness to deepen bilateral engagement and streamline processes for frequent travelers.
Strategic Regional Development
With the new airports, the policy reduces overcrowding at major entry points and promotes regional airports, thus distributing travel inflow more evenly across India.
Policy Efficiency and Foreign Relations
This move demonstrates India’s adaptive visa policy, aligning with international trends to facilitate smoother, frequent international travel. It reinforces India’s image as a travel-friendly destination and helps maintain competitiveness in global mobility.
Historical Context
India has long maintained visa‑on‑arrival (VoA) or e‑visa policies to boost inbound tourism and business travel. Historically, only six major airports offered VoA to UAE nationals: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi clearly outlines that VoA is exclusive to UAE nationals who have previously obtained an Indian e-visa or paper visa. Initially, the VoA scheme had more restrictive airport access; the current expansion marks a significant liberalization.
Moreover, India’s Ministry of Tourism has formalized VoA arrangements in its policy frameworks, with specific provisions calling out nationals of the UAE (and some East Asian countries) for tourism, business, medical, and conference travel for up to 60 days.
This step reflects India’s increasing openness in visa policy, driven by its economic diplomacy and tourism ambitions. In parallel, the UAE has also been broadening its visa-on-arrival regime — for instance, in February 2025, it extended VoA to Indian nationals holding valid residence permits or visas from certain countries.
Key Takeaways from This News
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | India has expanded its VoA (Visa‑on‑Arrival) facility for UAE nationals to nine airports, now including Cochin, Calicut, and Ahmedabad. |
| 2 | The VoA is valid for 60 days, allows double entry, and covers tourism, business, medical, and conference purposes. |
| 3 | Fee for the Visa‑on‑Arrival is ₹ 2,000 per person, payable in INR or equivalent foreign currency. |
| 4 | Eligibility is restricted to UAE nationals who have previously held an Indian e-visa or paper visa. |
| 5 | The VoA is not available to any UAE citizen if their parents or grandparents were born in, or reside in, Pakistan — they must apply via regular visa channels. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the new Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) facility for UAE nationals in India?
India has expanded its VoA facility to allow eligible UAE citizens to enter India via nine airports, including newly added Cochin, Calicut, and Ahmedabad. The visa is valid for tourism, business, medical treatment, and conferences for up to 60 days.
2. Who is eligible for the Visa-on-Arrival in India?
Eligibility is restricted to UAE nationals who have previously held an Indian e-visa or paper visa. Individuals with parents or grandparents born in or residing in Pakistan are not eligible.
3. How long is the Visa-on-Arrival valid, and how many entries are allowed?
The VoA is valid for 60 days and allows double entry. Visitors can use it multiple times in a calendar year if all conditions are met.
4. What documents are required to apply for Visa-on-Arrival?
Applicants must present a passport valid for at least six months, confirmed accommodation, onward or return tickets, and proof of sufficient funds for their stay.
5. How much does the Visa-on-Arrival cost?
The visa fee is ₹ 2,000 per person, including children. Payment can be made in Indian Rupees or equivalent foreign currency at the airport.
6. Which Indian airports offer the Visa-on-Arrival for UAE nationals?
The nine airports are: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Calicut, and Ahmedabad.
7. Why were Cochin, Calicut, and Ahmedabad chosen for this expansion?
These airports are regional hubs for tourism, business, and medical travel. Kerala attracts tourists and medical visitors, while Ahmedabad facilitates trade and business relations.
8. How does this Visa-on-Arrival expansion benefit India-UAE relations?
It strengthens people-to-people ties, encourages tourism and business, and reflects enhanced diplomatic trust between the two nations.
9. Are there any restrictions on multiple uses of Visa-on-Arrival?
There is no limit to how many times a UAE national can use the VoA in a year, provided they meet eligibility criteria each time.
10. Is the VoA applicable for students or work purposes?
No, the Visa-on-Arrival is not valid for employment or long-term study. Separate visas are required for these purposes.
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