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The United Arab Emirates has introduced a new visa-on-arrival policy for Indian nationals, set to boost tourism and transit visits significantly. This timely move by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) is expected to meet the growing winter travel demand and offer more flexibility to Indian travellers.

What’s New in the Visa Policy?

Under the latest regulations, Indian nationals holding tourist visas to the UK and EU countries can now obtain a visa on arrival in the UAE. Previously, this privilege was limited to those with US tourist or residence visas, and UK or EU residencies.

Impact on Tourism and Transit

Travel industry experts are optimistic about the policy change:

• Praveen Chawdhary from Saffron Travel and Tourism anticipates a 15-17% increase in business.
• Safeer Mahamood, general manager at Smart Travels, expects a 10-15% spike in demand, particularly among transit passengers.

The new rule is particularly beneficial for Indian travellers en route to Europe or the UK, who can now easily include a UAE stopover in their itinerary.

Perfect Timing for Winter Travel

The policy change couldn’t have come at a better time:

• It coincides with the peak travel season from November to March.
• Many Indian families visiting Europe can now conveniently plan a UAE stopover.
• Transit passengers have the option to explore the UAE for a day or two without additional visa hassles.

Real-World Impact: A Traveller’s Perspective

Ibrahim Babu, an Indian tourist planning a trip to Italy for his son’s graduation, exemplifies how this new rule benefits travellers:

• He can now easily include a week-long stay in Dubai to visit family.
• The visa-on-arrival option removes the previous deterrent of applying for a separate visit visa.

UAE Stopovers: A Popular Choice

UAE stopovers have always been favoured by Indian travellers:

• Travel agencies typically arrange tour packages for about 50 Indian families per month transiting through Dubai.
• The visa-on-arrival option for US visa holders has been extremely popular, with around 60 Indian families choosing UAE transits in the past month alone.

Looking Ahead

This expanded visa programme is expected to:

• Attract more tourists to the UAE.
• Enhance the country’s position as a global transit hub.
• Boost the local tourism industry, especially during the peak winter season.

The UAE government’s decision to broaden the scope of the visa-on-arrival programme has been widely commended by travel industry professionals. It reflects the country’s commitment to facilitating travel and tourism, solidifying its position as a key player in global travel routes.

As winter approaches, the new visa rule is set to transform travel plans for many Indians, making the UAE an even more attractive destination for both tourism and transit.