Emirates starts online tourist visa service

Dubai-based Emirates Airline has started an online tourist visa service for its passengers, a move that could attract more tourists, including from India, who are not automatically granted visas on arrival.

The facility can be accessed by Emirates ticket holders from 35 countries, the airline said, adding the visas to Dubai are available subject to meeting all pre-requisites defined by the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department. The 96-hour visa will cost $44 while a 30-day visa will cost $57, the airline said in a statement.

Service fees are applied separately. Visas are delivered via email within four international working days and passengers will be able to track the status of their applications via the Emirates website.

The facility accepts multiple requests of up to nine people as long as they are on the same booking. It is available to Emirates ticket holders regardless of whether the booking is facilitated via Emirates.com, an Emirates office or a travel agent.

In its initial phase, the facility is being introduced in 35 countries in the Far East, Indian sub-continent, Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

In the second phase, which will roll out in coming weeks, offline markets will be targeted, the airline said. These comprise countries that do not have Emirates services, but which connect to nearby gateways of the airline.