The United Arab Emirates has implemented significant changes to its visa-on-arrival programme that will directly impact Indian nationals. According to updated guidelines issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), Indian travellers holding only UK residence visas will lose eligibility for the conditional 14-day visa-on-arrival facility once the new rules are implemented. However, as reported by Business Standard, Indian passport holders with valid US visit visas, US Green Cards, EU visit visas, or EU residence visas will continue to qualify for the conditional 14-day visa-on-arrival facility. The changes reflect the UAE's ongoing efforts to streamline visa processes while maintaining security protocols for different nationalities.
New UAE Central Bank rules are creating significant operational challenges for Indian banks seeking to attract NRI dollar deposits. A recent UAE Central Bank circular restricts certain facilitative activities by representative offices, including documentation support and cross-selling, which are expected to slow down deposit mobilization, particularly for retail customers. As reported by The Economic Times, bank executives are seeking regulatory clarification, cautioning that the changes could impact operations and deposit mobilization. The UAE is a key market for Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) deposits, with industry estimates suggesting that more than 70% of such inflows are expected to originate from the Gulf region. Most Indian banks operate in the UAE through representative offices, with only Bank of Baroda holding a full-fledged onshore commercial banking license.
Beyond the eligibility changes, the UAE is considering introducing a new 60-day conditional visa-on-arrival option for eligible Indian nationals. According to the immigration update reported by Business Standard, the eligibility requirements for this proposed 60-day facility are expected to remain similar to the current 14-day visa-on-arrival rules. The exact implementation date for these changes has not yet been announced by the authorities, though the UAE regularly updates its visa policies to manage international travel and security checks for different nationalities.
The changes will significantly affect Indian tourists, business travellers, and frequent visitors who previously used their UK residence status to access visa-on-arrival facilities in the UAE. As reported by ABP Live, such travellers may now need to apply for a UAE tourist visa before travelling, obtain a visa through approved airlines or authorised channels, or check whether they qualify under another visa category. Immigration experts have advised travellers to verify their eligibility before booking flights, as entry rules can change and airlines may require confirmation of visa status before allowing boarding. The policy adjustment particularly impacts Indian nationals who relied on UK residence visas for convenient UAE travel access.
The UAE authorities have announced the changes to the visa-on-arrival policy but have not yet specified an implementation date for the revised rules. According to immigration consultancy Fragomen's update on the UAE visa-on-arrival programme, several changes have been made across nationalities, including clarifications on stay durations for citizens of countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, the UK and the US. The ICP has advised travellers to check the latest eligibility conditions before travelling, with Indian nationals who are unsure about their status needing to apply for a regular UAE visa in advance to avoid travel disruptions. These updates reflect the UAE's commitment to maintaining secure travel protocols while ensuring fair access for different nationalities.
