Yemen visa options for India passport holders
Tourist / short stay
Visa required
Arrange a visa at a consulate or embassy before travelling.
Visa types & longer-stay routes for Yemen
Rules are written mainly for non-Yemeni-origin foreign nationals from countries that require a visa (e.g. US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan); note that as of 2026 routine entry-visa issuance is largely suspended and granted mainly to people of Yemeni origin, international-organization staff, journalists/media and diplomats.
- Tourist
Tourist Visa (currently suspended)
Historically around 30 days; not currently issued (verify)
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot stated as required; a doctor's medical-fitness letter (no infectious diseases) is required instead. Travel/health insurance strongly recommended given the security situation.
- Good for
- Leisure travelers and pilgrims; in practice not available, as the Yemen Embassy (Washington DC) states it is 'not issuing any tourist's visa at this time' and entry-visa requests are on hold.
- Requirement
- Invitation letter / approval from the Yemen Department of Immigration, passport valid 6+ months, photos, and a doctor's letter confirming absence of contagious or communicable diseases. Currently not being granted to ordinary tourists.
- Business
Business Visa
Reported around 30 days (varies; verify with the issuing mission)
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot stated as required; a doctor's letter confirming absence of contagious/communicable diseases is required. Health insurance recommended.
- Good for
- Foreign nationals with meetings or business interests in Yemen, sponsored by a Yemen-based company.
- Requirement
- Employer/invitation letter from a Yemen-based company plus approval from Yemen's Ministry of Foreign Affairs; passport valid 6+ months, photos, application form and fee (about USD 65 / EUR 50 at some missions).
- Business
Diplomatic / Official Visa
Per assignment/posting (varies; verify)
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot specified. Health/security insurance recommended given conditions.
- Good for
- Diplomats, government personnel, international-organization staff, and accredited journalists/media — among the few categories still being processed under the current entry-visa suspension.
- Requirement
- Note verbale / sponsoring agency or organization letter stating role and purpose, prior approval from Yemeni authorities, passport valid 6+ months. Often issued free of charge; processing about 2 working days to 2 weeks.
- Work
Work / Employment Visa
Tied to the work permit and employment contract; renewable while employment continues (duration varies, verify)
- Insurance
- RequiredNot clearly specified in official sources; medical-fitness certificate typically required. Health insurance recommended.
- Good for
- Foreign nationals taking up employment in Yemen, tied to a local employer and work permit.
- Requirement
- Employer sponsorship and a work permit; residence is linked to the work permit. Processing reported to take several weeks to months. Confirm exact documents with Yemen's Ministry of Labour / immigration authority.
- Study
Student Visa
For the duration of the approved study program (varies; verify)
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot stated as required; doctor's letter on absence of contagious diseases required. Health insurance recommended.
- Good for
- Foreign nationals enrolled at a Yemeni educational institution.
- Requirement
- Letter of acceptance from the institution stating the nature and duration of study; passport valid 6+ months, photos, application form and fee (about USD 65 at the Washington DC mission).
- Residence
Residence Permit (employment-linked)
Tied to and renewable with the underlying work permit; no standard points-based or permanent-residence pathway for ordinary foreign workers (verify)
- Insurance
- RequiredNot specified in official sources; medical-fitness certificate generally required. Health insurance recommended.
- Good for
- Foreign workers and their immediate family (spouse, dependent children) already holding a valid work permit.
- Requirement
- Valid work permit and employment contract; family members apply as dependents of the permit holder. There is no clearly defined work-based route to permanent residence.
- Transit
Transit Visa
Short transit period only (specific duration not published; verify)
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot stated as required. Insurance recommended.
- Good for
- Foreign nationals passing through Yemen who need to leave the airport transit area (visa-required nationalities).
- Requirement
- Passport valid 6+ months, confirmed onward ticket to a third country, and proof of sufficient funds. Apply at an embassy/consulate before arrival.
Yemen is under armed conflict; entry-visa issuance is largely suspended and most governments advise against all travel (US Level 4 Do Not Travel, renewed Dec 2025). Figures vary by mission and are subject to change. Verify directly with a Yemeni embassy. Last checked: 2026-06.
Last verified June 2026
Visa-free isn’t insurance-free
Whatever route you take into Yemen, your entry stamp never includes health cover. Many longer-stay visas also require proof of insurance before they’re granted. That part is on you — and it’s what we actually do.
India → Yemen: frequently asked
- Do India passport holders need a visa to visit Yemen?
- Visa required. Arrange a visa at a consulate or embassy before travelling. Always confirm with the official source before booking.
- Can a India passport holder live or work long-term in Yemen?
- Yes, via a long-stay visa. Yemen has 7 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.
- Do I need travel insurance for Yemen?
- Entry to Yemen never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Several Yemen visas also require proof of insurance before they're granted.
Last updated
Visa rules can change at short notice and depend on your purpose of travel, length of stay and onward tickets. Always confirm with the destination’s embassy or the IATA Travel Centre before you book. Visa-free entry never includes travel health insurance. That’s still on you.