Travel for Indian citizens to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become easier. The UAE embassy in New Delhi has announced the expansion of the visa-on-arrival facility for Indians.
Abu Dhabi: In a new demonstration of cooperation between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the UAE government has broadened the scope of the visa-on-arrival facility for Indian citizens. The UAE has taken this decision with the aim of further strengthening its multifaceted relations with India, which will directly benefit millions of Indian travelers.
Under the new arrangement, Indian citizens holding valid residence permits from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Singapore can now also avail themselves of the visa-on-arrival. This change will take effect from February 13, 2025.
What were the previous rules?
Until now, Indian travelers were only granted visa-on-arrival in the UAE if they possessed a valid visa, Green Card, or residence permit from the United States, the European Union (EU), or the United Kingdom (UK). However, the UAE government has now included six more countries in this list, providing significant relief to Indian professionals, business people, and tourists.
The UAE Embassy in New Delhi issued an official statement stating that this decision is part of an effort to give new strength to the humanitarian and business relations between the two countries.
India-UAE relations to get warmer
Dr. Abdulnasser Alshali, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE, termed this step as historic, saying, "The expansion of the visa-on-arrival rule reflects our trust and partnership. It will make it easier for Indian families to meet each other, accelerate business trips, and increase professional opportunities."
Dr. Alshali further added that both India and the UAE are rapidly growing economies, and such open, flexible travel management will further strengthen the level of contact and cooperation between the people of both countries.
Wave of happiness in the Indian community
Following this decision by the UAE, there is particular joy among those Indians who reside in these six countries and wish to travel directly to the UAE from there. The number of Indian professionals in major business centers like Dubai and Abu Dhabi is already quite high. This new facility will not only make it easier for them to travel frequently, but also to come and go for family or business reasons in emergencies.
The Indian industry has also welcomed this decision. Leading Indian trade organizations have said that it will encourage two-way trade and investment. It is noteworthy that the UAE is India's third-largest trading partner, and the annual trade between the two countries exceeds $85 billion.
Proof of the deep relations between India and the UAE
This step comes at a time when strategic relations between India and the UAE are constantly strengthening. In recent years, both countries have increased cooperation in many sectors like defense, energy, education, agriculture, and digital innovation. Around 3.5 million Indian expatriates live in the UAE, playing a significant role in its economy.
Indian diplomatic sources say that this expansion of the visa-on-arrival facility is a major positive sign in terms of the social security and travel convenience of expatriate Indians.
