The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have become top destinations for Indian travelers, whether for business, tourism, or visiting family. While a visa is typically required for entry, many GCC nations offer special visa on arrival facilities for Indian passport holders who meet specific criteria. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the on-arrival visa policies for each GCC country, helping you and your clients navigate these crucial entry requirements.
1. Bahrain
While the official Bahraini authorities state that all Indian passport holders are eligible for a visa on arrival (VOA), it is crucial to be aware of the reality on the ground. As a precaution, many Indian airlines are not allowing passengers to board from India without a pre-arranged visa.
However, an Indian passport holder can get a visa on arrival if they possess a valid visa or residence permit from a qualifying country.
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Eligibility: Indian citizens with a valid visa or residence permit from a GCC country, the United States, the United Kingdom, or a Schengen member state.
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Conditions: The visa is valid for a short stay (e.g., 14 days) and can be extended. The final decision rests with the immigration officer.
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Documents Required: You must have a passport with at least six months of validity, a confirmed return ticket, proof of accommodation, and the qualifying visa or residence permit.
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Fee: The visa on arrival fee is approximately BHD 9, payable at the airport.
2. Oman
Oman offers a visa on arrival to Indian passport holders who possess specific visas or residence permits from other countries, making it a convenient option for many travelers.
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Eligibility:
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Indian citizens with a valid residence permit from any GCC country. The permit must be valid for at least three months, and the profession on the card must be from an approved list.
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Indian citizens with a valid visa or residence permit from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, or any of the Schengen countries.
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Conditions: The visa is typically valid for up to 14 days and can be extended. For longer stays, e-visas are available for 30 days.
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Documents Required: Passport with at least six months of validity, a confirmed return ticket, proof of accommodation, and the qualifying residence permit or visa.
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Fee: The visa on arrival fee is approximately OMR 20 for a 30-day stay or a lesser fee for a shorter stay.
3. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s on-arrival visa policy for Indians is highly conditional and tied to specific third-country visas.
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Eligibility:
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Indian citizens with a valid tourist or business visa from the United States, United Kingdom, or a Schengen member state.
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Indian citizens with a valid residence permit from a GCC country.
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Conditions:
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The third-country visa (US, UK, Schengen) must have been used at least once to enter the issuing country.
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The GCC residence permit must be valid for at least three months.
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Travelers may be required to arrive on a Saudi national carrier to be eligible for the visa on arrival.
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Documents Required: Passport valid for at least six months, return ticket, and the qualifying third-country visa or residence permit.
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Fee: The e-visa fee is approximately SAR 300, which includes full health insurance coverage for the stay.
4. Qatar
Qatar has a streamlined system through its Hayya platform, which serves as the primary point of entry for visa applications for foreign residents. This process has replaced the traditional visa on arrival for many cases.
Visa Categories and Requirements
For Indian passport holders, there are several key visa categories:
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A1 Tourist Visa: This visa is a visa-free facility for specific cases. We only require a passport copy and a photograph to process the application for a service charge.
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A2 GCC Resident Visa: This is for Indian citizens who hold a valid GCC residence permit.
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A3 Visa with ETA: This is for Indian citizens with a visa or residence from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or a Schengen country.
Important Note on Visa Approval & Hosting: While we only need a passport copy and a photo to begin the application, the official visa authorities require proof of accommodation. Without this, the visa has only a 50% chance of being granted. For a higher chance of approval, hosting is required. We can arrange for hosting for your clients with an additional service charge.
Documents for Travel: It is crucial for your clients to understand that while a passport copy and photo are sufficient for the application, they must carry the following documents with them while traveling:
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A valid passport with a minimum of six months validity.
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A confirmed return flight ticket.
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Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or hosting details).
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Fee: The Hayya visa fee for the A2 and A3 categories is QAR 100.
Important note : They can also a get direct on arrival visa from airport also , if they have booked a minimum of 2 nights hotel booking from Discovery qatar .This can be usefull when they had complications while applying Hayya visas.
5. United Arab Emirates
The UAE offers a visa on arrival for Indian passport holders with specific third-country visas, but not for those with a GCC residence permit.
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Eligibility: Indian passport holders with a valid visa or residence permit from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, or a Schengen country.
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Conditions: The visa or residence permit must be valid for at least six months. The VOA is valid for a 14-day stay and can be extended once.
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Documents Required: Passport with six months of validity and the qualifying third-country visa or residence permit.
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Fee: The visa on arrival fee is approximately AED 100, payable at the airport.
6. Kuwait
Kuwait Visa on Arrival or Any Kind of Tourist Visa is Not Possible, But E-Visa Under Certain Circumstances is Available
For Indian passport holders, a general tourist visa or a visa on arrival is not available. The primary way to enter Kuwait is with a visa arranged by a sponsor. However, a specific e-visa facility is available for a limited group of travelers.
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Eligibility for E-Visa: Indian citizens who hold a valid residence permit from another GCC country are eligible to apply for an e-visa.
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Condition: This facility is not for all professions. It is specifically for those working in skilled professions. The eligible professions include doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers, journalists, pilots, and managers.
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Process: The e-visa application is submitted online. For all other cases, the visa must be applied for through the traditional sponsorship process.
Common Reasons for Visa Rejection & How to Avoid Them
Even with the right eligibility, a visa application can be rejected for common, avoidable reasons. Providing this information to your clients can significantly increase their chances of approval.
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Incorrect or Incomplete Information: A small typo in a name, passport number, or date of birth can lead to automatic rejection. All information must be an exact match to the passport.
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Unclear Purpose of Travel: The visa application must clearly state the purpose of the trip (e.g., tourism, business). You may need to provide a clear travel itinerary, including hotel bookings and flight details.
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Insufficient Financial Proof: Immigration authorities need assurance that the traveler can support themselves financially. A bank statement showing adequate funds is often a critical requirement.
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Past Visa Violations: A history of overstaying visas, previous rejections, or any criminal record can lead to an automatic denial.
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Insufficient Passport Validity: Most GCC countries require a passport to be valid for at least six months from the date of entry. This is a non-negotiable rule.
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Unskilled Profession: For some countries, if a passport lists an "unskilled" profession, it can lead to additional scrutiny or even rejection.
Conclusion
Navigating visa policies across the GCC can be complex. While on-arrival options exist, they are often conditional. To ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey, it is always a best practice to verify eligibility and, wherever possible, secure a pre-approved e-visa before travel. Visa policies can change and vary depending on the situation and boarding airline, so it is crucial to always confirm the rules with the airline also before traveling.
