Second Passport for Indian Citizens in the UAE (2026): Options, Costs and What You Give Up

Indian passport holders in the UAE need visas for most of Europe, the UK and the US, so a second passport is an attractive idea. Before you compare prices, understand what you give up. This guide explains the Indian rules in plain words, compares the second passport options open to UAE residents by real cost, and shows when a residence permit is the smarter choice.

Can an Indian citizen hold a second passport?

No. India does not recognise dual citizenship. When an Indian citizen voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country, Indian citizenship ends automatically under section 9 of the Citizenship Act 1955. You cannot keep using your Indian passport after that, and using it can lead to penalties.

This applies to every citizenship by investment programme, including the Caribbean, Turkey and Argentina. None of them is an exception.

What you give up, and what you keep with OCI

• Your Indian passport: it must be surrendered and you receive a surrender certificate. In the UAE this is handled by the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai through their service centres.
• Voting and public office: these end with citizenship.
• OCI card: former Indian citizens can usually apply for Overseas Citizenship of India, a lifelong multiple entry visa that lets you live and work in India. It is not available to anyone who, or whose parent or grandparent, was ever a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh.
• Property: OCI holders can own residential and commercial property in India, but not agricultural land or farmhouses unless inherited.

Get advice on your property, bank accounts and inheritance in India before you apply anywhere.

Second passport options and costs for Indians in the UAE

The four Caribbean programmes face an EU request to close by 1 June 2028, which could affect their Schengen visa free access. Read each guide for family costs, fees and sources.

Keep your Indian passport: European residence instead

A residence permit is permission to live in a country, not a nationality, so your Indian citizenship stays exactly as it is. A residence card from a Schengen country lets you visit the other Schengen countries without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180.

• Latvia: about $67,100 through your own Latvian company, for business owners.
• Malta: permanent residence for about $110,700 in government payments plus a home.
• Greece: property from about $279,500, parents included.

See the full comparison in our guide to golden visa Europe for Indians in the UAE, which also explains the LRS and TCS rules if you pay from India.

How Visa Doctor helps

We explain your options honestly, check whether giving up Indian citizenship makes sense for your family, and, if you decide to go ahead, help you reach an independent licensed agent or lawyer who files the application. Visa Doctor FZC is a UAE registered immigration services company (trade licence 4417571.01, Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone) and is not a government authorised agent for any programme. We give our fee in writing before you pay anything.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and last check

Checked on 7 November 2026. Sources: the Citizenship Act 1955, section 9 (India Code); the Ministry of Home Affairs OCI scheme pages; the Indian Embassy Abu Dhabi and Consulate General of India Dubai renunciation guidance; programme figures from our country guides, each with its own official sources. This is general information, not legal advice.