UAE/Dubai Travel Regulations for Indians

Wondering about the Dubai travel regulations when visiting from India?

Good news! It is not that stringent anymore.  

Although Dubai has been open for travel since August, its strict travel restrictions, along with the terror of COVID, didn’t fetch many footfalls. However, with the start of the Dubai Expo 2021 on October 1, the city has made several upgrades in its travel regulations that both ease the process and ensure a safe Dubai travel regulation experience.   

So, in this Dubai regulations guide, let’s check what all things are required for your visit to the city from India.

Operational Flights from India

The following flights are operational from India at the moment:

The maximum number of flights to Dubai from India departs from Mumbai and New Delhi. While Mumbai has flights from all the airlines mentioned above along with Etihad Airways, New Delhi has additional flights from Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, and Etihad Airways along with all the above.

Dubai Travel Regulations for Visa Application

Dubai travellers can avail of visa facilities from the official authority of VFS Global for processing applications. Services have already started from August 30, 2021.

Indian tourists may get their tourist visas by applying at any Dubai Visa Processing Centers in Kolkata, New Delhi, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram. They can also apply online at http://www.emirates.com.

All tourist visas should have a minimum of 6 months validity. As per Dubai regulations, Indian nationals must obtain their visas before departure. However, visitors with residence permits or tourist visas issued by the UK, the US, or any other EU Member nation, will get their visa within 14 days of their arrival in the Emirate.

Documents Required for Dubai Tourist Visa Application

• Passport with minimum 6 months validity.
• Passport size photographs.
• Copy of completed and signed visa application form.
• A negative COVID-19 PCR certificate with a mandatory QR code.
• Proof of hotel and flight bookings.
• Copy of ticket.
• Cover letter listing itinerary details.
• Last 6 months’ bank statements.
• Address proof.  
• Sponsor letter.  

Dubai Travel COVID-19 Test Guidelines

Dubai regulations in terms of testing should be carefully followed. Indian travelers will no longer require a GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) or ICA (Federal Authority for Identification and Citizenship) approval.

Here are some key points worth noting in this regard:

• A negative COVID-19 PCR certificate that is valid with a mandatory QR code should be provided within 48 hours of sample collection from any Government approved or certified Indian laboratory. You can get the complete list of COVID test centers at https://www.icmr.gov.in/issued.
• The issued certificate should be in Arabic or English and should be suitably stamped or signed by the relevant authorities. Handwritten certificates will not be acceptable in any case.
• Indian travelers are mandated to undergo rapid PCR testing within 6 hours of their departure at the airport in Dubai.
• The maximum duration under a tourist visa will be 14 days, and tourists should be fully vaccinated. Covishield is the acceptable vaccine for those coming from India at the moment.

Tourists should download and register on the COVID-19 DXB Smart App for Dubai. There are no compulsory quarantine regulations for those arriving from India currently. Most direct flights take 3 hours and 10 minutes to arrive in Dubai.

Local Airport and Testing Information for Indians Returning from Dubai. Here is city-wise local testing and other guideline-related information for Indian travellers.

Ahmedabad: Molecular test on arrival will be approximately INR 700 for each individual. Passengers should fill up the required data at the NorthStar Labs official website for fast-tracking this procedure. Nuberg Supretach rapid coronavirus PCR testing is also provided at the Inter Terminal Link Way, bang opposite to the T1 terminal at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The test cost is INR 4000 for each passenger.

Bangalore: All those traveling to Bangalore should have the Aarogya Setu app downloaded along with the Apthamitra and Quarantine Watch apps. The molecular test on arrival will cost INR 800-3,200 for processing times of 30 minutes-4 hours. Pre-bookings are possible as well. Those coming from international countries and testing positive for coronavirus should be going through quarantine at Government facilities for 14 days at the cost of the Government itself.

Chennai: All passengers should apply for the TN E-Pass and show details to authorities. The details should be updated 48 hours before departing. Transfer passengers will have to get fresh E-Passes upon arrival and follow other State guidelines while linking to domestic flights. Molecular tests upon arrival are priced between INR 1,200-2,500 per individual. Online registrations are possible.

New Delhi: Molecular testing on arrival is priced at INR 800 per individual. Those waiting for results before any connecting flight should pay for the cost of the lounge, i.e., INR 2,600 per individual.

Hyderabad: Molecule test on arrival will be INR 1,250 per head, and those waiting for connecting flights and results should pay lounge cost of INR 4,200 per head.

Kolkata: Molecular test costs are INR 950 per individual upon arrival.

Mumbai: Molecular testing costs are INR 600 per head upon arrival. The QR code should be scanned for pre-registration to get tested on arrival. The facilities offering the same include Acu Medx, Lifenity, and Suburban.

Kerala: The molecular tests are done for free upon arrival. However, all passengers should update their information on the COVID-19 Jagratha website at least two days before their departure from Dubai. 

Why October 2021 Is the Best Time for Dubai Travel?

Despite being an off-season, October proves to be an eventful month in Dubai that you can’t miss. Apart from the grand Dubai Expo 2021, which has already started from October 1 this year, the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup is also scheduled to take place in the city from October 17, 2021. So, whether you are a sports buff, a connoisseur of global art and culture, or both, Dubai will offer you much more than its enthralling architecture, golden desert safari, and beautiful beaches this month.

10 Useful and Interesting Dubai Facts You Need to Know

Dubai is not only a city of superlatives housing the largest, biggest, and tallest of everything, but it also has some unique sights to behold that can only be found there. There are also a few rules for both tourists and residents to follow.

So, let’s check out 10 useful and interesting Dubai facts before you board that flight.   

Useful Dubai Facts

• The official language of the UAE and Dubai is Arabic.
• The currency of Dubai is the United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED).  
• Dubai falls in the time zone of GMT +4. It is 1hr 70 minutes behind Indian time. Sundays are working days whereas Fridays are holidays in the city.  
• Drinking in public is strictly prohibited in Dubai. You can drink in any clubs or pubs but not in the streets.
• The dress code in Dubai mostly includes loosely fitted casual and formal wear with at least knee-length dresses and skirts.  

Interesting Dubai Facts  

• Housing 33,000 aquatic animals of about 200 species, The Dubai Aquarium Tank is the largest suspended aquarium worldwide with 10 million liters capacity.
• Dubai police cars are not only fancy but fast. Apart from Bugatti, Ferrari, and Lamborghini police cars, they also have the fastest Veyron police car that runs at 407 kilometers per hour. Additionally, in the poshest areas of Dubai, you may also be able to see actual cars made of gold.
• When in Dubai, you may find yourself in fully air-conditioned bus shelters. A first worldwide, this is primarily because of Dubai’s hot and arid climate with temperatures going up to 50 degrees Celsius in the summers.
• Dubai boasts the longest driverless metro line in the world with a Guinness World Record of 52.1 kilometers (32.37 miles). Touted as the cheapest mode of transport in the city, it offers an awesome experience for global tourists.  

Apart from the several hundreds of gold jewellery in the city, Dubai flaunts gold ATMs in which you can buy gold with your credit/debit cards or Dirham cash.  

Wrapping Up

While Dubai has opened its doors for tourist visits and has reduced several travel restrictions, it still ensures that you have a safe journey to and from the city.

So, ensure that you go through these Dubai travel regulations before booking your tickets. Make sure your visa has 6 months validity, you have travel insurance, and the latest PCR COVID test results along with the QR code.

Apart from that, just be safe and have a gala time in Dubai!