India Expands Visa-on-Arrival for UAE Nationals at 9 Airports

India has expanded its Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) option for UAE nationals, now valid at nine major airports—including Cochin, Calicut and Ahmedabad—for tourism, business, medical and conference travel. This is a key update for B2B travel agents, consolidators and corporate­travel planners.

India Rolls Out Broader Visa-on-Arrival Access for UAE Nationals

The Indian government has significantly upgraded the VoA facility for citizens of the United Arab Emirates. From 20 November 2025, UAE nationals can access Visa-on-Arrival at nine major international airports across India—up from six previously. 

Notably, three airports have been newly added: Cochin International Airport (COK), Calicut International Airport (CCJ) and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (Ahmedabad AMD). 

For B2B travel professionals—agents, consolidators, corporate travel teams and airline partners—this expansion opens fresh opportunities to market India more flexibly to UAE-based travellers.

What the Expanded VoA Means for UAE-India Travel Flows

✅ Greater flexibility & more entry points

With nine arrival gateways (including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Kochi, plus the three newcomers), travel planners now enjoy a wider network of airports to pitch. 

This enables routing via lesser-used airports, smoother connections for secondary Indian cities and improved integration of multi-city itineraries.

📅 Stay & Entry Conditions

Eligible travellers can stay in India for up to 60 days, with double-entry permitted within that period. 

The intended use covers tourism, business trips, conferences and medical visits. 

🔍 Eligibility & Restrictions

Eligibility criteria – vitally relevant for B2B agents – include:

• The traveller must be a UAE national who has previously visited India with either an Indian e-Visa or a conventional paper visa. First-time visitors cannot use this VoA option.

• The passport must be valid for at least six months.

• Key restriction: UAE nationals whose parents or grandparents were born in or are permanent residents of Pakistan are not eligible for the VoA.

💰 Fee & Usage Terms

The fee is ₹ 2,000 (or equivalent in foreign currency) per person (including children). 

There is no annual cap on the number of times a UAE national may use this facility, meaning frequent-flier UAE travellers can be repeat users. 

Why This Update Matters for Travel Trade & Aviation Stakeholders

1. Boost in inbound volumes from UAE – With smoother arrival processes and more airport options, expect an uptick in UAE-India travel for tourism, MICE (meetings & incentives), medical treatments and short-business visits.

2. Route planning & seat inventory considerations – Airlines operating UAE-India sectors (e.g., Dubai–Ahmedabad, Abu Dhabi–Calicut) should align seat-capacity and fare strategies with expected demand shifts.

3. Corporate travel facilitation – Travel-managers in UAE-based companies and Indian consolidators can now more confidently book Indian multi-city itineraries utilising less-crowded airports like Ahmedabad or Calicut.

4. Agent product-differentiation – B2B agents can highlight these new VoA gateways in client proposals (especially for Gulf-hubbed UAE corporates, inbound medical tourism agencies, MICE planners).

5. Operational readiness required – Ensure in your workflows: verifying previous visit requirement, checking passport validity, preparing supporting docs (proof of funds, hotel booking, return/onward flights) plus briefing clients on the Pakistan-lineage exclusion.

Key Airports Offering VoA for UAE Nationals

Here’s a clear list of the nine airports now designated for VoA:

• Delhi – Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)

• Mumbai – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM)

• Kolkata – Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU)

• Chennai – Chennai International Airport (MAA)

• Bengaluru – Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)

• Hyderabad – Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD)

• Kochi – Cochin International Airport (COK)

• Calicut – Calicut International Airport (CCJ)

• Ahmedabad – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD)
  
  

Actionable Takeaways for You & Your Clients

• Update your B2B product sheets: Highlight these additional VoA airport options when selling to UAE-based corporate and group travellers to India.

• Train your sales teams: Make sure they clearly inform that first-time travellers must still apply for an e-Visa or regular visa; VoA is only for repeat India-visitors from UAE.

• Refine route-recommendations: Consider promoting alternative airports (Ahmedabad, Calicut) for cost-efficient or less-congested arrival and for secondary city access.

• Ensure compliance: Make client check-lists include previous India-visit proof, minimum passport validity, funds/accommodation, and the key Pakistan-lineage exclusion

• Monitor marketing messaging: Use the expansion to create targeted campaigns (e.g., “UAE to India – Next stop made easier at Ahmedabad”).

Conclusion

For travel-industry professionals serving UAE-India corridors, this enhancement of the VoA scheme marks a meaningful shift. By opening three new gateways and expanding flexibility, the Indian government is signalling easier cross-border flows for tourism, business, conferences and medical markets. Agents and consolidators who swiftly adapt workflows, product offerings and sales scripts will be well-positioned to capitalise on the uptick in inbound demand.

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