Country guide · Middle East
UAE nationals are eligible for the Indian e-Visa, including the e-Medical visa. Some can also get a visa on arrival for medical treatment, including Ayush treatment. This is open only to UAE nationals who have held an Indian e-Visa or regular visa before. It is available in nine Indian cities.
| Country | United Arab Emirates |
| Indian e-Visa (e-Medical) | Eligible per the official e-Visa list — check on the day you apply |
| IndiaMedica edition | العربية (Arabic) |
Which visa can a UAE patient use?
There are two routes. The first is the e-Medical visa, applied for online at least four days before arrival. The UAE appears on the official e-Visa eligible list. The second is the visa on arrival. The Bureau of Immigration offers it to nationals of Japan, the Republic of Korea and the UAE for business, tourism, conference and medical visits.
Who qualifies for the visa on arrival?
The condition comes first. The Bureau of Immigration says the visa on arrival is available only to UAE nationals who have previously obtained an e-Visa or a regular paper Indian visa. A first-time visitor should apply for the e-Medical visa instead. Other exclusions also apply. Holders of diplomatic or official passports cannot use it. Nor can people whose parents or grandparents were born in, or permanently lived in, Pakistan.
How long is the visa on arrival valid?
The Bureau of Immigration says it allows a stay of up to 60 days with a double-entry facility. It cannot be extended or converted. If the specialist expects treatment and recovery to run longer, apply for an e-Medical or regular medical visa before you travel.
Where is it available?
UAE nationals can receive the visa on arrival in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Calicut and Ahmedabad. Plan your flight to one of these cities if you intend to use it.
What should you prepare?
- A passport with at least six months’ validity and two blank pages.
- Proof of your earlier Indian visa if you plan to use the visa on arrival.
- The hospital’s acceptance letter and your recent reports.
- An e-Medical Attendant visa for any family member who is not eligible for the visa on arrival.
- A list of your current medicines.
Is Arabic support available?
IndiaMedica publishes a full Arabic edition. You can send your case and questions in Arabic. We can ask hospitals about Arabic interpreters and prayer facilities.
How does IndiaMedica help UAE patients?
We review your reports free of charge and ask suitable hospitals for an opinion. The treating specialist decides the plan and the length of stay. That estimate tells you whether the 60-day visa on arrival is enough or an e-Medical visa is safer. We help with the hospital letter and your arrival.
Questions people ask
Can I get a visa on arrival in India for treatment as a UAE national?
Yes, if you have held an Indian e-Visa or regular visa before. The Bureau of Immigration offers UAE nationals a visa on arrival for medical visits, including Ayush treatment, for up to 60 days with double entry. First-time visitors should use the e-Medical visa.
Which Indian cities offer the visa on arrival to UAE nationals?
Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Calicut and Ahmedabad, according to the Bureau of Immigration. Japanese and Korean nationals have the first six of these cities only.
Can the visa on arrival be extended if my recovery takes longer?
No. The Bureau of Immigration says it is non-extendable and non-convertible. If your specialist expects a longer stay, apply for an e-Medical visa before you travel.
Sources
- Bureau of Immigration: Visa-free regime and visa on arrival
- Indian e-Visa portal, Government of India
General information, not medical or legal advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source. How we write and check.