Ruth Haines
If you are a citizen of a country that does not require a visa, permit, or sponsorship to enter the UAE, you do not need to apply for a transit visa for layovers under 24 hours at Abu Dhabi Airport. However, if your layover is longer than 24 hours, you must have a confirmed airside hotel booking. If you are not from a country that is exempt from UAE visas, you can apply for a transit visa through a UAE-based airline or travel agency. The UAE offers two types of transit visas: a free 48-hour visa and a 96-hour visa for a fee of AED 50.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Transit Visa Requirement | Required if not eligible for a UAE Visa on Arrival or visa-free entry to the UAE |
| Transit Visa Duration | 48 hours or 96 hours |
| Transit Visa Fee | 48-hour visa is free; 96-hour visa costs AED 50 |
| Transit Visa Application | Applied through a UAE-based airline or travel agency |
| Transit Without Visa (TWOV) | Allowed for passengers with a confirmed onward ticket to a third country within 24 hours, staying in the international transit area |
| GCC Country Citizens | No visa, permit, or sponsorship required; need to present passport or national ID card |
| Green List Countries | Australia, Canada, Germany, Saudi Arabia, US, etc. – eligible for Visa on Arrival |
| Ineligible Nationalities | Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger, and Yemen |
| Transit Permit | Issued by airport authorities for stops at Abu Dhabi Airport ranging from 8 hours to 4 days |
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What You'll Learn
Transit visas for 48 hours are free
If you are transiting through Abu Dhabi Airport, you may require a transit visa. This depends on the length of your layover and your nationality. If you have a layover of less than four hours, you do not need a transit visa, as long as your flights are all in one itinerary.
If you have a longer layover, you may want to apply for a 48-hour transit visa. These visas are free, and you can apply through a UAE-based airline. This can be done via the airline's website, and the response time is usually 24 hours. Please note that this type of visa is not extendable or renewable, and you must leave the UAE within 48 hours of arrival.
To be eligible for a 48-hour transit visa, you must not be a national of Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger, or Yemen. Citizens of certain countries, such as Mexico, can enter the UAE without a visa, so a transit visa is not required. If you are unsure about your eligibility, it is best to check with the UAE government or your airline.
When applying for a transit visa, you will need to provide your passport and other relevant documentation. The process typically takes a few minutes to fill out the form. It is important to note that you must apply for this visa in advance, and you can only apply up to two weeks before your departure date.
Once you have obtained your transit visa, you will be able to explore Abu Dhabi during your layover. Remember to keep track of time, as you must return to the airport and go through the necessary departure procedures within the 48-hour validity period of your visa.
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Transit visas for 96 hours cost AED 50
If you are transiting through Abu Dhabi Airport, you may need to apply for a transit visa. This depends on the length of your layover and your nationality. If you have a layover of under 4 hours, you do not need a transit visa, as long as your flights are all in one itinerary.
The UAE issues two types of transit visas: one that is free of charge and valid for 48 hours, and another that costs AED 50 and is valid for 96 hours. Both types of transit visas must be processed and approved before entering the UAE. The 96-hour transit visa is valid for 96 hours from entry into the UAE, and you must depart the UAE within this timeframe. This visa is non-extendable and non-renewable.
To apply for a transit visa, you must do so through a UAE-based airline. If you are travelling through a travel agency, they can help with this process, but only the airline can arrange your transit visa. Nationals of Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger and Yemen cannot apply for a UAE Transit Visa.
To be eligible for a transit visa, you must meet certain requirements. These include having a valid passport or travel document with at least three months of validity from the date of entry into the UAE, a confirmed onward ticket to a third country, and a personal photo with a white background.
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Apply for a transit visa through a UAE-based airline
If you are not eligible for a UAE Visa on Arrival or visa-free entry to the UAE, you will need a transit visa. UAE-based airlines sponsor transit visas, and you must get one before entering the UAE. Nationals of Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger, and Yemen cannot apply for a UAE Transit Visa.
To apply for a transit visa, you must contact your airline, and they will arrange your transit visa from the relevant visa-issuing authorities in the UAE. If you are travelling with a travel agency, they can help you with the process, but only the airline can arrange your transit visa. The transit visa is then valid for 14 days from the date it is issued, but you can only stay in the UAE for 48 or 96 hours, depending on the type of transit visa you receive. The 48-hour visa is free, while the 96-hour visa costs AED 50. Neither visa is extendable or renewable.
You can apply for a transit visa through the airline's website. The airline will then apply for your transit visa online through the eChanel portal of the UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or the online channels offered by the relevant General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in each emirate.
A transit visa application requires:
- A valid passport or travel document with a validity of at least six months.
- A travel ticket that includes a continuation of your trip, with a short stop in the country's airports of at least eight hours and not more than 96 hours.
- A personal photo with a white background.
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Nationals of certain countries cannot apply for a transit visa
To obtain a transit visa for the UAE, you must be sponsored by a UAE-based airline or travel agency. The airline or travel agency will then apply for your transit visa online through the relevant authorities in the UAE. This includes the e-Channel portal of the UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in each emirate.
The UAE offers two types of transit visas: a free 48-hour transit visa and a 96-hour transit visa for a fee of AED 50. The 48-hour transit visa is valid for 14 days from the date of issue, while the 96-hour transit visa is valid for 96 hours from entry into the UAE. Both visas cannot be extended or renewed, and you must leave the UAE within the specified time frame.
It is important to note that if your layover in Abu Dhabi is less than 4 hours and your flights are all in one itinerary, you do not need a transit visa. However, if your layover is longer than 4 hours or you need to change terminals, you may need to apply for a transit visa, depending on your nationality.
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Transit Without Visa (TWOV) is possible in certain cases
If you are a national of Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger, or Yemen, you cannot apply for a Transit Visa for the UAE. However, if you are from a country whose citizens can enter the UAE without a visa, you do not need a Transit Visa. For example, citizens of Mexico can enter the UAE without a visa for up to 180 days.
In some cases, you may not need to apply for a Transit Visa. Transit Without Visa (TWOV) is possible in certain cases. If your layover in Abu Dhabi is less than four hours and all your flights are in one itinerary, you do not need a transit visa. However, if your layover is longer than 24 hours, you must have a confirmed airside hotel booking.
If you need a transit visa for Abu Dhabi, you must obtain it through a UAE-based airline. The airline will then arrange to get your transit visa from the relevant visa-issuing authorities in the UAE. The airline can apply online through the eChanel portal of the UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or through the online channels offered by the relevant General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in each emirate.
The UAE issues two types of transit visas: one for 48 hours and another for 96 hours. The 48-hour transit visa is issued free of charge, while the 96-hour transit visa costs AED 50. Both visas must be applied for in advance and are non-extendable, non-renewable, and valid from the time of entry into the UAE.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you do not need a transit visa if your layover is under 4 hours, as long as your flights are all in one itinerary.
You can get a transit visa for Abu Dhabi Airport by applying through a UAE-based airline. The UAE issues two types of transit visas: one for 48 hours, which is free, and another for 96 hours, which costs AED 50.
Citizens of GCC countries do not require a visa, permit, or sponsorship by a national or resident in the UAE. They need to present their GCC country passport or national ID card at the UAE's point of entry. Citizens of certain other countries, such as Mexico and Albania, can also enter the UAE without a visa for a specified number of days.
