Key takeaways
- Visa first: most Indians need a UAE visit visa before flying; a relative living in Dubai can sponsor one.
- Medicines: carry a recent prescription and medical report; controlled medicines are limited to 3 months’ supply.
- UAE customs: gifts up to AED 3,000 are duty-free; declare cash or jewellery worth over AED 60,000.
- Wheelchair: request it from the airline at least 48 hours before the flight.
- Coming home: India’s duty-free allowance is ₹75,000 per traveller since 2 February 2026.
For parents flying from Kerala to visit family in the UAE, the essentials are a UAE visit visa arranged before travel, medicines packed with a recent prescription and medical report, gifts within the AED 3,000 duty-free limit, and wheelchair assistance booked with the airline at least 48 hours ahead. On the way home, India allows ₹75,000 of goods duty-free per traveller. The details below come from Dubai Customs, the Emirates Drug Establishment, the airlines and Indian customs.
1. The visa
Most Indian passport holders need a UAE visit visa before travelling. It can be sponsored by a relative living in the UAE, or arranged through an airline, a licensed travel agency or a hotel. See our UAE visa guide for Indians for the types, fees and processing time — and we handle UAE visit visa applications from our Kozhikode office.
2. Medicines
- Narcotic and psychotropic (controlled) medicines: up to 3 months’ supply.
- Carry a prescription issued within the last 3 months, stamped by the clinic, and a medical report issued within the last year.
- The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) issues a free online permit for personal medicines. It needs UAE PASS and is optional for visitors — visitors without UAE PASS can carry their medicines with the documents above.
- Keep medicines in their original packs, in hand luggage.
3. UAE customs limits
| Item | Duty-free limit |
|---|---|
| Gifts | Up to AED 3,000 in value |
| Cigarettes | Up to 400 (or 50 cigars, or 500 g tobacco) |
| Cash, jewellery, precious stones | Declare if worth more than AED 60,000 in total |
Cash carried by children under 18 counts towards the parent’s total. Source: Dubai Customs.
4. Wheelchair and assistance at the airport
- Air India Express: request special assistance while booking, through Manage Booking or at web check-in, at least 48 hours before departure, and reach the counter 2 hours before the flight.
- IndiGo: request assistance at least 48 hours before departure and report to the counter 2 hours before.
- Ask for the wheelchair at both ends — Calicut and the UAE airport.
5. Coming home to Kerala
- Under the Baggage Rules 2026 (from 2 February 2026), each resident traveller can bring goods worth up to ₹75,000 duty-free.
- Alcohol over 2 litres and more than 100 cigarettes are not covered by the allowance.
- Declare foreign currency notes above USD 5,000, or total foreign exchange above USD 10,000.
A simple packing checklist
- Passport (valid 6+ months), printed visa and return ticket
- Medicines, prescription and medical report in hand luggage
- Host’s UAE address and phone number written on paper
- Travel insurance documents
- A light jacket — flights and malls are air-conditioned
We book flights from Calicut, Kannur or Kochi together with the visa and travel insurance — send us the passport copies on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Can my son or daughter in Dubai sponsor a visit visa for us?
Yes. A relative living in the UAE can sponsor a visit visa; it can also be arranged through an airline, a licensed travel agency or a hotel. See our UAE visa guide for details.
Can parents carry their regular medicines to the UAE?
Yes. Carry a prescription issued within 3 months and a medical report issued within a year. Controlled medicines are limited to 3 months’ supply.
How much can we bring as gifts to the UAE?
Gifts worth up to AED 3,000 are duty-free, according to Dubai Customs.
What is the duty-free allowance when returning to India?
₹75,000 per resident traveller under the Baggage Rules 2026, in force from 2 February 2026.
This article reflects official sources checked in September 2026. Rules can change — confirm before travel.
