Applying for a Visiting Visa: Dubai-Sponsored vs. Indian Application

Deciding whether to apply for a visiting visa from a friend in Dubai or directly from India involves several critical factors. This guide will help you navigate the decision-making process, including considerations like the type of visa, processing time, requirements, costs, approval rates, and personal circumstances.

Is a Visa from Dubai-Sponsored Easier?

Having your friend in Dubai sponsor your visa can indeed simplify the process. Residents in the UAE can provide local support, helping with paperwork and documentation. This can be advantageous if you need any adjustments or if additional help is needed.

Visa Sponsoring from Dubai

Here are the key steps in the process:

Providing Documents: Your friend needs to provide their Emirates ID and passport copies. Processing Time: The visa is typically ready within 5 working days, unless there are any issues with your name in the UAE immigration system. Responsibilities: Your friend must understand the responsibilities, including providing necessary documentation and potentially covering your expenses during your stay.

Why Apply Directly from India?

Alternatively, you can apply from India, but this comes with various considerations such as processing time, requirements, and costs.

Processing Time and Visibility

India might have longer processing times compared to applying from Dubai. For instance, applying directly from India could take 1-2 days or more. On the other hand, relying on a friend in Dubai can significantly speed up the process, often yielding a visa within the same day or within 3-4 hours of applying.

The Role of OK To Board (OTB)

Understanding the OK To Board (OTB) process is crucial for travelers, especially those from countries like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka. The OTB requirement and procedure can vary based on your destination and airline.

List of Countries Requiring OTB

The following countries require an OTB:

UAE Kuwait Bahrain Oman (Sultanate of Oman) Qatar

Eligibility for OTB

The OTB requirement depends on your visa status and the airline. Here are the categories of travelers for different countries and airlines:

UAE

Travellers Required: All passengers on Spice Jet, Air Arabia, Fly Dubai, Kuwait Airways, Gulf Air, Oman Air, and Sri Lankan Airlines. Travellers Not Required: Those with visa-stamped passports, ECR passport holders, and passengers on Jet Airways.

Qatar

Travellers Required: Passengers on Indigo Airlines, Air India, India Air, Air India Express, Oman Air, Spice Jet, Air Arabia, and Gulf Air. Travellers Not Required: Those with visa-stamped passports, ECR passport holders, and passengers on Jet Air and Qatar Airways.

Oman

Travellers Required: Passengers with work and visit visas on Spice Jet and Indigo Airlines. Travellers Not Required: Those with original paper visas and eligible E visa holders on Oman Air.

Charges and Requirements for OTB

Charges for the OTB process vary:

UAE: RS 650 for Spice Jet, Air Arabia, Air India, Air India Express, Fly Dubai, Gulf Air; RS 750 for Indigo. Qatar: RS 750 for Indigo, Air India, Air India Express. Oman: RS 1100 for Indigo, Spice Jet, Air India, Air India Express.

Documents Required: Visa, Ticket, and Passport copy.

Consultation and Time Considerations

It is highly recommended to get proper consultation before proceeding, as the requirement and process can change. Airlines generally take 12-48 hours to update the OTB message. Consulting for this step can cost RS 50.

Note: Airlines and travel agents charge exorbitantly for the OTB procedure, but you can save money by getting it done in Dubai. This process costs only 50-150 INR, as opposed to 2k-4k in India.

Conclusion

The decision to apply for a visiting visa from a friend in Dubai or from India depends on several factors. While Dubai-sponsorship might be easier in terms of processing and speed, don’t overlook requirements and steps for OTB. Seek advice and weigh the pros and cons of both options before making a decision.