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Dubai is one of the favorite international destinations for Indians. In fact, more than 18 million Indian tourists visit Dubai every year. The short travel distance between Dubai and India, the easy accessibility to flights, the luxury of Dubai, and the numerous attractions of the city are some of the reasons why Indians love visiting Dubai. As the majority population of Dubai is made up of Indian expats, many Indians visit Dubai to meet their family and friends. Whatever might be your reason to visit Dubai, there are some things regarding entry requirements, visa policies, and general rules that you need to know about. Here are some Dubai travel guidelines for Indian tourists.
Dubai Visa Guidelines for Indians
Here are the visa rules that Indians have to follow when visiting Dubai.
Standard Visa: All Indian citizens need a visa to visit Dubai. There are two types of Dubai tourist visas: single-entry and multiple entry. Both these types of Dubai visas are available for 30 days and 60 days. Indians can apply for either one of these as per the requirements. The best part is that Indians applying for tourist visas to Dubai are eligible for an e-visa, i.e., you can apply for them online. E-visa means that you can apply for the visa online. The process of applying for the Dubai visa happens through the official visa portal or trustable travel agents. This includes filling the online application form, uploading the scanned copies of all the documents, and also paying the visa fee online. Some of the documents you need to submit are a valid passport, photographs, hotel booking/letter of invitation, and confirmed return ticket. Once approved, you will receive your Dubai visa via your email.
Visa On Arrival: Some Indian passport holders are eligible for visa on arrival in Dubai. Indians who have a valid US visa, permanent residence, or US Green Card can get a visa on arrival in Dubai for 14 days. The same rule applies to a tourist visa holder or a resident permit holder of the United Kingdom and even the European Union. Similarly, Indians who have residence permits of countries like New Zealand, Australia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Japan, and Canada are also eligible for visa on arrival in Dubai. The only rule here is that the visa to these countries should have a minimum validity of 6 months. Moreover, you can only stay in Dubai or the UAE for 14 days unlike the standard visa, which allow you to stay in Dubai for longer.
Dubai Entry Requirements: Having a Dubai visa may not guarantee that you will get entry into the city or the UAE. There are some Dubai entry requirements that you need to fulfil before your passport is stamped at the airport.
- Your passport, with a minimum of 6 months validity
- Return or onward, confirmed flight ticket
- Your Dubai or UAE e-visa or valid visa of US, UK, European Union, or other eligible countries (for visa on arrival)
- Proof of stay at a family member or friend’s residence or hotel booking
- Enough funds for your stay (copies of bank statements)
- Travel insurance
Local Laws and Customs to Follow: Apart from the visa and entry rules, there are some local laws for Dubai travelers you should know about. This will not only ensure that you do not fall in trouble with the law but also make sure that you respect the customs and beliefs of the locals or Emiratis.
Dress Code: Dubai does not impose any dress code on tourists. Locals tend to wear the traditional clothing of the abaya (for women) and kandura (for men). But there is no rule that says that tourists have to wear this (although you are free to try them if you want). When it comes to clothes, Dubai is quite liberal as compared to the other emirates of the UAE. However, it is an unwritten rule that you must wear clothes that cover your shoulders, cleavage, and knees. This is especially true for public areas, especially in the old part of the city and near or in the places of worship. Pubs, nightclubs, and lounges accept more liberal dressing style, although it is important to cover up while traveling to and from your hotel/residence. Also, swimwear is acceptable at beaches and pool areas.
Alcohol: Despite being part of an Islamic state, alcohol is available in Dubai. However, there are some restrictions around it. Alcohol is only served in licensed establishments like hotels and restaurants. It is important to remember that drinking in public is illegal in Dubai. You can be punished and penalized for drinking in public in Dubai. Note that alcohol is served only to people above the age of 21 years.
Behavior: There are some rules in Dubai regarding the way you behave in public, which might be quite common in others.
- Public display of affection is a complete no-no in Dubai. It is not just frowned upon but is also illegal. You may get in trouble with the law if you are caught. So, refrain from PDA.
- Using obscene language and showing offensive gestures are also illegal in Dubai. You may get arrested, fined, or even deported due to this.
- Do not criticize the government, religion, or the rulers of Dubai in public (including on social media). This is also illegal and can cause you legal trouble.
- Dubai or the UAE has strict rules against pre-marital sex and even homosexuality.
Smoking and Drugs: Dubai has extremely strict laws regarding drugs. There is a zero-tolerance policy regarding use or possession of drugs. If you are caught with drugs, you can face imprisonment or deportation. Smoking is not banned in Dubai. However, smoking in public places is not allowed. You cannot smoke in public areas or streets in Dubai. Adults cannot smoke in their cars if there are children under the age of 13 years inside. If you want to smoke, you can do it in the designated areas only.
Prescription Medications: Some medicines that are prescribed in India are banned in Dubai or the UAE. Hence, if you are carrying any medicines, it is crucial that you carry the doctor’s prescription as well. This especially applies to medicines that contain Paracetamol and Codeine.
Health Guidelines: As a tourist, you will have to follow certain health guidelines before or during your visit to Dubai:
- While Covid is no longer a threat, you may have to undergo testing and masking when visiting healthcare settings and other public places like malls if you are symptomatic. You may also have to show the proof of your Covid vaccinations at the time of entry.
- Some large events may require visitors to go through special health monitoring. If you are planning to attend any such event, enquire with the organizers and get it done before you visit.
- If you are visiting Dubai from countries in Africa and South America or if you had visited recently, it is important that you get a vaccination for Yellow Fever and produce the certificate as well.
- Visitors are also required to have got their vaccinations for typhoid, Hepatitis A & B, tetanus, routine immunizations, etc., before visiting Dubai.
Conclusion: Knowing and following the laws and rules in Dubai will ensure your visit or stay is hassle free. This will also help you to stay away from legal problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Dubai safe for traveling, especially for women solo travelers?
Yes, Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world, with almost zero crime rate. Women can freely travel in the city without any issues. Still, it is best to practice caution and practice general safety like not traveling alone to secluded places at night, wearing modest clothing in public, and using licensed taxis and ride sharing apps while traveling.
Q. Is it possible to work in Dubai on a tourist visa?
No, it is not legal to work on a tourist visa in Dubai. If you are caught, you can be punished with a fine and even deportation. You may also face future Dubai visa application rejections.
Q. Is it possible to re-enter Dubai with the same tourist visa?
This will depend on the type of visa you have. If you have a multiple entry visa, you can enter Dubai as many times as you want till the validity expires. However, your single-entry visa becomes invalid as soon as you exit the UAE. In this case, you will have to apply for a new visa if you want to re-enter.
Q. What are the rules regarding photography in Dubai?
Photography is permitted in most tourist areas and attractions. However, there are some restrictions. You must refrain from taking photos of locals, especially women, without permission. Apart from this, you must not take photos of government and military areas and buildings, accidents, police officers, and restricted areas.
Q. Can Indians drive or rent cars in Dubai?
Yes, if you have a valid International Driving Permit, you can rent a car and drive around the city. You must be minimum 21 years old to drive in Dubai or UAE. Moreover, wearing seat belts are a must here. Also, you must avoid drinking and driving. It is a serious offence and can lead to jail time.
Q. What happens when I overstay in Dubai after my visa expiry?
If you overstay in Dubai even after your visa expires, you will have to pay a fine for each extra day you stay. Apart from this, you will also have to face travel bans while applying for visa in the future. Hence, you must leave Dubai before your visa expires.
Author Bio: Nishita Khanwani is an avid blogger who writes engaging blogs on travel, food, adventures, and cultural experiences. She travels to various cultural hotspots worldwide, such as India, the UAE, Egypt, and Turkey, to enjoy their rich history and culture.