India to issue five-year business visas to UAE citizens

The Indian embassy and consulate in the UAE will start issuing five-year multiple-entry Business Visas to Emirati citizens and residents from April 1. The missions will also start issuing five-year multiple-entry Tourist Visas in a few months.

Dubai: Citizens and residents of the UAE will, starting April 1, be “issued as routine” five-year multiple-entry business visas to India by Indian missions in the UAE, India’s ambassador to the UAE announced on Thursday.

Navdeep Singh Suri made the announcement at the Indian Consulate in Dubai during a wide-ranging discussion with the media.

He said the five-year multiple-entry business visa is “going to be the norm” for any “bona fide” business applicant — Emirati or expat — from the UAE. Also, in the “next few months”, the five-year multiple-entry tourist visas to India will start being issued similarly.

He said “technically, citizens and residents in all GCC countries” are eligible to apply for the five-year multiple-entry business visa. However, Suri added, it was up to the Indian missions in the other five GCC countries to announce when they will be ready to issue such visas.

The UAE nationals had stringent visa requirements to visit India and many of them are used to visa on arrival facility in many western countries and the visa restrictions had affected many business visas.

Improving bilateral trade

As a continuation of improving bilateral trade and investment between India and the UAE multiple entry business visas will be available from April 1, 2017 onwards.

“It will be open to GCC nationals and nationals from a number of countries,” the ambassador said in Dubai, adding that the details will be announced soon.

Implementation from April 1, 2017

It will take a little bit of time to put in place the biometric sampling system and other requirements needed. I am pretty confident that in addition to five years multiple entry business visas, multiple entry tourists visas to tourists. We are waiting for the implementation of the new system from April 1, 2017 onwards,” Suri told Khaleej Times.

He said “technically, citizens and residents in all GCC countries” are eligible to apply for the five-year multiple-entry business visa. However it was up to the Indian missions in the other five GCC countries to announce when they will be ready to issue such visas, Gulf News quoted Suri as having said.

Business visas are given to foreign nationals who intends to establish a business or industrial venture or to explore possibilities of setting up industrial business ventures in India.

Travel warning

Suri also warned Indians from going or sending workers to Yemen and other conflict zones, as reiterated by the Indian government.

“Despite all the warnings, Indians keep putting themselves in harm’s way by going to Yemen and other conflict zones. We have advised that it’s risky. Yes, you can make some extra money but is it worth risking your life?” Suri said.

“The Indian government has to take enormous risks to rescue them. It’s wrong, it’s irresponsible and it’s dangerous to go into conflict zones when there is clear government advice. But you are potentially endangering the lives of others to get you out, and the message to companies taking people to Yemen is that you are also at fault by putting lives at risk.”

Outsourcing contract

The business visa referred to by Suri costs around Dh1,500, a consulate official said during the event.

Suri said among the requirements for the visa was a submission of biometric data, “at least for the first time”, or an interview in person.

“Instead of coming to us four or five times a year, you apply once and you’re done for five years. For us, it’s also less traffic at our doorstep,” Suri said. He added that the move followed “a request from the UAE side and to facilitate trade”, in line with India’s push as a business-friendly destination.

Stay on top of NRI news with the WelcomeNRI.