Transit Visa Requirements: Dubai Airport And Your Stopover

If you're transiting through Dubai airport, you may need a transit visa. This depends on your nationality, the length of your stopover, and whether you wish to leave the airport. Travellers of most nationalities require visas to enter Dubai, but citizens of certain countries are exempt from this requirement and can enter Dubai without a visa for a set number of days. Those who do need a visa can apply for one of two types: a 48-hour transit visa or a 96-hour transit visa.

Transit visas are sponsored by UAE-based airlines and must be processed before entering the UAE

If you are transiting through Dubai Airport, you will need a transit visa if you are not eligible for a visa on arrival or a visa-free entry to the UAE. Citizens of the following countries can enter the UAE without a visa:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Mexico
• EU member states (excluding the UK and Ireland)
• The United States
• Hong Kong
• The People's Republic of China
• The Republic of El Salvador
• The Republic of Mauritius

Additionally, Indian citizens holding US visas, green cards, UK resident permits, or EU resident permits can receive an entry visa upon arrival for AED 100, valid for 14 days.

If you require a transit visa, it must be sponsored by a UAE-based airline and processed before entering the UAE. The two types of transit visas are:

• 48-hour transit visa: Issued free of charge with a valid passport or travel document with a minimum validity of three months, a photo against a white background, and an onward ticket booking to a third destination.
• 96-hour transit visa: Issued for AED 50 with a valid passport or travel document with a minimum validity of six months, a photo against a white background, and an onward ticket booking to a third destination.

To apply for a transit visa, you must contact the UAE-based airline you are travelling with, or your travel agency, who will arrange the visa through the airline. The process typically takes around three to four business days, but it is recommended to apply well in advance as it can sometimes take longer.

Nationals of certain countries do not need a transit visa

• Citizens of GCC countries.
• Andorra, Australia, Bahamas, Brunei, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Hong Kong, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States (visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period).
• Mexico (visa-free for up to 180 days).
• EU member states (excluding the UK and Ireland) and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period).

Citizens of some countries, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, do not require a transit visa if their layover is less than 12 hours. However, a transit visa is required if the layover exceeds 8 hours and the traveller intends to exit the airport. Additionally, citizens of Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger, and Yemen cannot apply for a UAE Transit Visa.

Transit visas are available for 48 or 96 hours

If you're transiting through Dubai, you may need to apply for a UAE Transit Visa. This depends on your nationality and the length of your stopover. If you're not eligible for a UAE Visa on Arrival or visa-free entry, and your onward flight is within 48 or 96 hours, you will need to apply for a Transit Visa.

The UAE offers two types of Transit Visas: one for 48 hours and another for 96 hours. These visas are sponsored by UAE-based airlines and must be processed and approved before entering the country. You must apply for the visa in advance through a UAE-based airline, and you cannot extend or renew the visa. The validity of the visa is counted from the moment you enter the UAE, and you must leave the country within the allotted time.

To obtain a 48-hour Transit Visa, you must have a passport or travel document valid for at least three months and a photo of yourself against a white background. The 48-hour Transit Visa is free of charge.

For a 96-hour Transit Visa, you must have a passport or travel document valid for at least six months, a photo of yourself against a white background, and an onward ticket booking to a third destination. The 96-hour Transit Visa costs AED 50.

You must have a passport valid for at least three months and a photo to get a transit visa

If you're transiting through Dubai Airport, you may need to apply for a UAE Transit Visa. This depends on your nationality, and whether you are eligible for a UAE Visa on Arrival or are exempt from UAE Tourist Visas. Nationals of Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger, and Yemen cannot apply for a UAE Transit Visa.

If you do need a UAE Transit Visa, you must have a passport that is valid for at least three months and a photo to get one. The photo must be taken against a white background. Additionally, you will need an onward ticket booking to a third destination and a hotel reservation in the UAE.

You must apply for your transit visa in advance through a UAE-based airline. This can be done either online or at the Emirates Commercial Visa APT office at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3. The visa is valid for 14 days from the date it is issued, and you must use it within that time frame. However, once you are in the UAE, you can only stay for 48 or 96 hours, depending on the type of Transit Visa you receive.

The 48-hour UAE Transit Visa is free of charge, while the 96-hour visa costs AED 50. It is important to note that the transit visa cannot be extended beyond the number of hours it is issued for.

If you need to collect checked luggage, you will need a transit visa

If you are transiting in Dubai and need to collect checked luggage, you will need to go through immigration and customs, and therefore will require a transit visa. This is because only passengers in transit who remain airside (i.e. do not go through immigration and exit) do not need a transit visa.

The UAE issues two types of transit visas: one for 48 hours and another for 96 hours. These visas are sponsored by UAE-based airlines and must be processed and approved before entering the UAE. To obtain a transit visa, you must have a passport or travel document with a minimum validity of three or six months, a photo of yourself against a white background, and an onward ticket booking to a third destination. The 48-hour transit visa is free of charge, while the 96-hour transit visa costs AED 50.

It is important to note that not all nationalities require a transit visa for Dubai. Citizens of certain countries are eligible for visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry to the UAE. Additionally, regulations may change, so it is recommended to check your specific visa requirements with your local UAE embassy before travelling.

Frequently asked questions