Visas for Indian Passport Holders Living in the UAE
An Indian passport reaches most of the destinations in our holiday range either visa-free or with a free authorisation, and the two that surprise people are Thailand, where India is on the visa-exemption list, and Sri Lanka, where the tourist ETA is free for Indian nationals until further notice. The gaps are the UK, Schengen and Turkey, and those are the three this page explains in detail.
Eligibility is decided by the issuing authority. Visa rules are set by the issuing authority and change without notice. We re-check the current position for your passport and residence status before you book, and no page here promises an approval. The rules on this page were checked on 27 October 2026 against the sources listed at the foot of the page.
Destinations in our programme — position for an Indian passport
Verified against the official sources listed at the foot of this page.
| Destination | What an Indian passport needs | Stay | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | No visa — visa exemption | 30 days (was 60 until 15 Sept 2026) | Royal Gazette |
| Sri Lanka | Free tourist ETA | 30 days | Sri Lanka ETA |
| Malaysia | Now visa-exempt, but on a temporary arrangement — we confirm the position for your travel date | 30 days | Malaysian immigration |
| Georgia | Visa-free as an Indian national; the UAE-residence route also gives 90 days in any 180 | 90 days in any 180 | Georgian embassy |
| Kazakhstan | No visa — unilateral visa-free regime for Indian citizens | 14 calendar days | Kazakh entry rules |
| Vietnam | e-visa, 90 days, single or multiple entry | 90 days | Vietnam e-visa |
| Azerbaijan | e-visa through the official ASAN portal | 30 days | ASAN portal |
| Saudi Arabia | Tourist eVisa as a GCC resident, or an Umrah visa through Nusuk | Up to 90 days | Saudi eVisa |
| Egypt | Visa on arrival as a GCC resident, or e-visa | 30 days | Reported — confirm |
| Turkey | Visa required. The e-visa route needs a valid Schengen, US, UK or Irish visa or residence permit | Per visa granted | Türkiye MFA |
| United Kingdom | Standard Visitor visa required — India is a visa nationality, with no ETA route | Up to 6 months | GOV.UK |
| Schengen states | Visa required, applied for in the UAE on your residence permit | 90 days in any 180 | European Commission |
Three things worth knowing before you book flights
- Thailand's visa-free stay halved to 30 days on 15 September 2026 and the list still covers India, but it is a policy the government has already changed once this year — we check it against your departure date.
- Malaysia's exemption for Indian nationals has been extended repeatedly on a temporary basis rather than made permanent, so it is the row on this page most likely to change.
- Turkey is the trap: a UAE residence permit is not accepted for the e-visa. The condition names a Schengen, US, UK or Irish visa or residence permit, and nothing else.
Documents we collect for the applications on this page
| Document | Detail |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid at least six months beyond travel, with two blank pages |
| UAE residence permit | Valid, with the remaining validity the destination requires |
| Emirates ID | Copy, front and back |
| Photographs | Schengen 35 × 45 mm, white background, recent |
| Bank statements | Six months, stamped, showing salary credits and enough balance for the trip |
| Employment proof | NOC or salary certificate with designation, joining date and approved leave |
| Trade licence | For business owners and partners, with a covering letter |
| Travel proof | Confirmed itinerary and hotel reservations, or your holiday package booking |
The strongest Asian passport for the routes we sell — Questions We Answer Most
Eligibility, documents, timing and what happens if a visa is refused. Anything else, ask us on WhatsApp.
Where you can go with this visa position
Each destination page carries its own visa note for the passport you hold, along with the best time to travel and live holiday prices from Dubai.
Sources checked on 27 October 2026
- Thailand — Royal Gazette visa exemption list (in force 15 Sept 2026)
- Sri Lanka ETA — official fees and free-ETA list
- Malaysia Ministry of Foreign Affairs — visa requirement list
- Embassy of Georgia to the UAE — visa information
- Kazakhstan — entry order for foreigners
- Vietnam — official e-visa portal
- Azerbaijan — official ASAN e-visa portal
- Saudi Arabia — official tourist eVisa portal
- Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs — visa information
- GOV.UK — Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
- European Commission — applying for a Schengen visa