UAE ‘High Demand’ Destination For Indians, Says VFS Global Following New Emirates Deal
On Thursday, Emirates announced a new partnership with VFS Global to introduce a convenient visa-on-arrival service exclusively for Indian passport holders travelling to Dubai.
The partnership aims to streamline the arrival process for Emirates customers, enabling them to bypass long queues and quickly navigate customs upon reaching their destination.
“VFS Global is a market leader in the outsourced visa and consular services space for governments and has been a proud partner of Emirates since 2002, providing UAE visa services for their passengers for over two decades. We remain focused on providing our applicants with exceptional customer service, ensuring convenient and seamless experiences,” a VFS global spokesperson told sources.
India tops passenger traffic at Dubai Airports
Earlier in November, Arabian Business reported that Dubai Airports—in the first three quarters of the year—experienced strong growth, with average monthly traffic reaching 7.6 million passengers, matching pre-pandemic levels.
India emerged as the leading destination in terms of passenger numbers, with 8.9 million travellers during the initial nine months of the year.
Saudi Arabia followed closely with 4.8 million passengers, while the UK secured the third position with 4.4 million passengers.
Pakistan, the US, and Russia were among the noteworthy countries attracting a significant number of passengers.
In terms of city traffic, London, Riyadh, Mumbai, and Jeddah stood out as the top destinations.
When asked if Dubai would see a higher influx of Indian travellers following the new deal with Emirates, the spokesperson said: “UAE has long been a high-demand destination for Indian travellers, and we expect footfall from this key source market to continue to grow.”
New UAE visa-on-arrival for Indian travellers: All you need to know
Indian travellers who have booked flights with Emirates can take advantage of the new hassle-free service, as announced by the airline. Here’s how:
By accessing the ‘Manage an existing booking’ section on the airline’s website, customers will find a link to apply for a UAE visa.
This link redirects them to the online UAE Visa application site, powered by VFS Global Services, which outlines the necessary requirements and terms for the application process. Additional information can be found on Emirates’ official website.
It is important to note that this exclusive visa-on-arrival service is specifically available to
Indian passport holders who possess a valid six-month visa for the US, a US Green Card, EU Residency, or UK Residency. However, the issuance of visas remains subject to the discretion of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs.
Dubai is a popular destination for Indian travellers due to its diverse range of attractions and accommodation options catering to various preferences, ages, and budgets.
The city also boasts a vibrant Indian community that frequently welcomes family and friends from India and around the world.
According to Dubai Tourism statistics, between January and October 2023, Dubai welcomed over 2 million overnight visitors from India.
Emirates currently operates 167 weekly flights to nine destinations in India, offering seamless connections to Dubai and over 140 global destinations.
The airline’s network in India includes Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram.
