Dubai Travel Guidelines 2025: Everything to Know about Rules, Entry, & Local Laws

We know you think visiting Dubai is a piece of cake, but is it? It’s one of the most luxurious destinations in the world, welcoming millions of visitors with modern attractions like the Burj Khalifa, its vibrant shopping Souks, and the most captivating beaches. Exploring the destination is a dream for all, so let’s make it dreamlike for you, with these top Dubai travel guidelines!

Dubai’s popularity comes with the responsibility of respecting local laws and cultural norms. The Emirati countries follow strict disciplinary laws that ensure the spot lives up to its name. Scroll, because we’re going to ensure you’re the perfect traveler in Dubai! This is an updated 2025 guide; no more research is needed.

Dubai Entry Requirements

To enter the country and apply for your Dubai Visa online, here are some must-have travel requirements for Dubai you must meet:

Passport

Your Indian passport must be valid for 6 months from your entry Date in Dubai.

Visa Requirements

All Indian travelers need to have a Dubai visa to explore the country. Citizens traveling from the UAE and GCC do not need a visa. You should also book cheap flights to Dubai, round-trip tickets, before landing in the country. To get the latest Dubai travel guidelines regarding requirements and other Dubai visit visa new rules today, visit the official UAE Embassy website.

Learn how much time does it take to get Dubai Visa online before application.

Visa on Arrival

Indian citizens are eligible for a Dubai Visa on arrival if they have access to a US, UK, or Schengen Visa or a green card. They get a 14-day non-extendable visa. Citizens from other countries can stay for a longer period, from 30 to 90 days, depending on their nationality.

Travel Insurance Requirement

Travelers planning to stay for a long vacation in Dubai should also apply for their travel insurance before grabbing the Dubai Visa and all-inclusive Dubai tour packages. Unsure if you need insurance? Ask the experts at Akbar Travels, with 46+ years of expertise in visa application processes.

Please note: Travelers eligible for a Dubai Visa on Arrival need not worry about getting insurance under their Dubai travel guidelines.

Return/Onward Ticket

As soon as you enter Dubai, the main Dubai travel guidelines for Indian passport holders state that you must have your onward or return tickets ready.

Explore Common Reasons for Dubai Visa Rejection.

Local Laws & Customs that Travelers Can’t Skip

Some of the main Dubai travel guidelines from India are their strict laws and customs on how to act in a public space. Here are a few laws you must keep in mind to avoid getting into trouble:

Alcohol Laws

Alcoholic substances are only legal for adults (21+) in licensed venues such as hotels, bars, and private clubs. Public drunkenness and drinking outside licensed venues are illegal and severely penalized. Never drive your vehicle under the influence.

Please note: Sharjah is a dry state, so having alcohol here is banned.

Public Behavior

Public displays of affection (PDA), offensive gestures, and obscene language can lead to fines, arrest, or deportation. Cohabitation rules are strict; sex outside marriage and homosexuality are illegal. It is also considered illegal to criticize the government or religion as per the Dubai travel guidelines for tourists. Please remember that during Ramadan, the rules are stricter.

There are also strict Dubai dress rules in place. Scroll below to know more about them.

Drug Laws

Dubai enforces a zero-tolerance policy for drug use/possession. Even trace amounts can lead to imprisonment, since the country honours the Shariah Law. Violating these laws can lead to imprisonment and even deportation.

Smoking Zones

Smoking is permitted only in designated areas. Not allowed in public places or streets, especially during religious periods like Ramadan. Similarly, adults are not allowed to smoke in a car where a child under 13 years is present.

Medication Restrictions

Certain prescription medications are banned without prior UAE approval. Travelers should carry a doctor’s prescription and check lists of prohibited substances. These UAE Travel guidelines are applicable especially if your medical prescriptions involve Codeine and Paracetamol.

COVID-19 & Health Guidelines

Even though COVID has become a daily part of life, there are still some essential Dubai travel guidelines to maintain, considering the spread of the disease. They are:

• Testing, Vaccination, Masks: Masks may still be required in healthcare settings and are recommended in crowded spaces, like malls, or if symptomatic on crowded transportation. Individual venues like restaurants and office spaces may set their own rules.
• Venue/Event Protocols: Large events may enforce special health monitoring and flexible arrangements. Always check the UAE travel guidelines from India for such events before showing up at the venue.
• Other Health Requirements: While there are no strict travel to Dubai guidelines regarding vaccination, here are some that you must take if:
  • Yellow Fever Certificate: Needed if arriving from certain endemic countries like South America and Africa.
  • Recommended Vaccines for citizens from all countries: Hepatitis A & B, typhoid, tetanus, and routine immunizations; check your home country’s travel health advisories for updates.

Dubai Travel Guidelines for Women

Dubai travel guidelines are a few for women travelers since Dubai is generally one of the safest countries you can choose for your upcoming adventure. Some Dubai guidelines for travel to keep in mind are:

Dress Code and Respect for Customs

Dubai holds modesty and cultural respect in high regard. Women are generally expected to wear attire that covers their shoulders and knees in public. Women can wear swimwear only around hotel pools at beaches. A hijab or scarf to cover one’s hair is required when entering mosques and religious sites.

Solo Travel Safety: Dubai’s Shining Track Record

Dubai is regularly ranked among the world’s safest cities for solo women travelers. Violent crime rates are low, and the city’s public spaces are under constant surveillance, giving women a strong sense of security, especially late at night. Authorities in Dubai prioritize both resident and visitor safety with extensive CCTV coverage and a visible police presence. Still, standard precautions apply, such as:

• Avoid barely lit or secluded areas at night.
• Not sharing accommodation details with strangers.
• Using reliable, official transport (taxis are metered and public transport is highly regulated).
• Securing personal belongings and avoiding ostentatious displays of valuables.

Women report feeling more comfortable here than in many major cities worldwide, but it remains wise to exercise cultural sensitivity and remain aware of surroundings, as per Dubai travel guidelines.

Women-Only Transport

Dubai stands out globally for its range of women-only transport and dedicated spaces, making travel safe, comfortable, and convenient. Women can find marked carriages and seating places. For example, the front seats in buses are reserved for women. Traveling solo in a cab? No worries! You can filter out the options and get a female driver.

Dubai’s hotels also reserve private gym and spa areas for women to relax. You can also explore women-only beaches like Al Mamzar, with enhanced privacy levels and triple the fun.

Sustainable Dubai Travel Guidelines for Indian Tourists

A nature lover? Don’t worry, these Dubai travel guidelines for Indians also cover some eco-friendly travel advice so you can have the best exploring experience:

• Eco-Tourism Options: Engage with desert conservation reserves, responsible wildlife safaris, and local eco-tours aimed at minimizing environmental impact.
• Green Hotels: Choose accommodations certified for environmental practices, as many Dubai hotels meet rigorous energy and waste management standards. Some of the great examples are: the Atlantis, Hotel DXB at the International Airport, and Double Tree by Hilton.
• Avoiding Single-Use Plastics: Dubai’s ‘City Can’ initiative encourages locals and tourists to avoid purchasing products with single-use plastic by promoting refillable water stations.
• Smart Sustainability Initiatives: Dubai’s “Smart Dubai” and “Dubai Sustainable Tourism” programs align with global and local net zero targets, supporting renewable energy use, green building standards, and smart city tech for lower emissions. Dubai also has some of the most sustainable airports, so it’s every traveler’s responsibility to ensure they carry the practices of sustainability forward.

Now that you know all about the Dubai travel guidelines, you’re all ready to plan a vacation asap! Secure the best hotels in Dubai to start now.  

In Conclusion

Dubai travel guidelines are many, but they’re pretty easy to follow. Some of the major guidelines are:

• Dress codes: No clothing exposing shoulders and knees.
  • Public behaviour: No hugging, PDA, or loud music.
  • Drug and Alcohol prohibitions: No alcohol in public spaces. Drugs prohibited.

Dubai is also known for its high level of safety for women travelers, with reserved seating on public transport and private gym spaces.

FAQs: Dubai Travel Guidelines

What are the new rules for Dubai travel?
As per the new Dubai visa on arrival rules, Indians can visit the destination for 14 days with a valid UK, US, or Schengen Visa.

What is the requirement to travel in Dubai?
Some of the documents that are necessary to have when traveling to Dubai are a passport with six months’ validity, travel insurance if needed, and a vaccine certificate (if applicable).

What are the requirements for Indians to travel to Dubai?
Indians must have a passport with validity of six months from the arrival date, passport size photographs, proof of accommodation, and return flight bookings.

What are the rules for visitors in Dubai?
Visitors in Dubai should avoid PDA, playing loud music in public, having alcohol or smoking outside dedicated spaces, and clicking pictures of locals without permission. It is also essential to follow the dress code.

Is vaccination required to travel to Dubai?
Citizens from certain countries, especially Africa and South America, must provide a yellow fever vaccine certificate. Some other recommended vaccinations to take before travel to Dubai include Hepatitis A and B.

What is the maximum currency required to enter Dubai?
All visitors must have at least 4,000 USD in their bank accounts. This is Rs. 3,50,616.

---

Akbar Travels Services

Best Flight Deals

Mumbai to Delhi Flight Tickets | Mumbai to Bangalore Flight Tickets | Kolkata to Mumbai Flight Tickets | Kochi to Abu Dhabi Flight Tickets | Lucknow to Riyadh Flight Tickets | Delhi to Ahmedabad Flight Tickets

Domestic Flights

Pune to Bangalore Flights | Chennai to Delhi Flights | Bangalore to Chennai Flights | Mumbai to Delhi Flights | Bangalore to Hyderabad Flights | Ahmedabad to Goa Flights | Mumbai to Kolkata Flights | Hyderabad to Delhi Flights | Bangalore to Goa Flights | Mumbai to Goa Flights

International Flights

International Flights Booking | Delhi to Dubai Flights | Delhi to Bangkok Flights | Delhi to Toronto Flights | Mumbai to Dubai Flights | Delhi to Singapore Flights | Delhi to London Flights | Delhi to Kathmandu Flights | Mumbai to London Flights | Chennai to  Singapore Flights | Mumbai to Singapore Flights | Delhi to New York Flights | Kolkata to Bangkok Flights

Best Hotel Deals

Hotels In Dubai | Hotels In Mumbai India | Hotels In Pune India | Hotels In Singapore | Hotels In Kochi India | Hotels In Munnar India | Hotels In Bangkok Thailand | Hotels In Kuala Lumpur Malaysia | Hotels In Mecca Saudi Arabia | Hotels In Mahabalipuram India

Apply Visa Online

Dubai Visa Online | 14 days Dubai Visa | 30 days Dubai Visa | 60 days Dubai Visa | Dubai Transit Visa | UAE Visa | Singapore Visa | Malaysia Visa | Thailand Visa | Sri Lanka Visa | US Visa | UK Visa | Schengen Visa | Canada Visa | Australia Visa | New Zealand Visa | France Visa | Italy Visa | Turkey Visa Online | Philippines Visa | Cambodia Visa Online | Vietnam Visa Online | Oman Visa 

International Tour Packages

Dubai Tour Packages | Singapore Tour Packages | Thailand Tour Packages | Malaysia Tour Packages | Sri Lanka Tour Packages | US Tour Packages | United Kingdom Tour Packages | South Africa Tour Packages | Europe Tour Packages | Bali Tour Packages | Mauritius Tour Packages | Maldives Tour Packages | Cordelia Cruise Packages |

Domestic Tour Packages

India Tour Packages | Goa Tour Packages | Kerala Tour Packages | Leh Ladakh Tour Packages | Himachal Tour Packages | Andaman Tour Packages | Rajasthan Tour Packages | Uttarakhand Tour Packages | Jammu and Kashmir Tour Packages

Packages by Themes

Honeymoon Packages | Adventure Packages | Visa on Arrival Packages | Family Packages | Romantic Packages | Weekend Getaways Packages