Do I Need A UAE Visa For Transit Through Dubai
Some people are under the impression that they will have to get an Emirates visa whenever they travel through Dubai. This is not true, and people who need to transit through Dubai do not need a UAE visa. The terms transit and transfer are often used interchangeably, but there are slight differences between them. In one of the (if not THE) busiest airports in the world you probably don’t want to waste time when heading through customs. So many flights and people make a simple transit stop through Dubai a headache. Do I need a UAE visa? Let’s discuss the options available to you.
Citizens of many countries do not require a transit visa to travel through Dubai and make connections to other destinations. If you are not a citizen of one of these countries and plan on transiting through Dubai, there is no exception to the 3-month tourist visa requirement. The best thing to do if your country is on the list of exempt countries is to purchase a 3 month tourist visa and attempt your transit. For short term transit, the UAE Visitor visa may be appropriate.
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Transit Visa For Dubai
This seems to be an odd question, but it is one that is asked a lot. With so many people these days traveling through Dubai, a question like this will come up. It is important to know the UAE’s visa requirements to ensure that you have all of your paperwork in order.
The UAE has a land area of 83,600 square kilometres and even more water area. Its capital is Abu Dhabi, which is also its largest city, and it’s oil rich. It’s home to the world’s 7th busiest airport in the world. It has a great tourism record and reputation for being very visitor friendly.
With UAE visa for Dubai you could travel to Dubai and other Emirates within 30 days without any visa. Transit visa is specifically needed by travelers who do not intend to leave the airport or the designated transit area in the airport. This post is going to give you an idea about if your requirement actually requires a UAE transit visa.
Apply For Transit Visa Dubai
You need a visa to transit in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or any other emirate in the UAE if:
- You are not exempt from UAE Tourist Visas or you are not eligible for a UAE Visa On Arrival; and
- Your onward flight is in the next 48 or 96 hours
Nationals of Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger and Yemen cannot apply for a Transit Visa for UAE.
Who is exempt from Dubai Transit Visa?
If you are from one of the following countries, you can enter Dubai and any other emirate in the UAE without a visa and as such, you do not need a UAE Transit Visa:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
If you are from one of the above-mentioned countries, you have freedom of movement and may enter the UAE with simply your passport or ID.
If you are from Mexico, you may enter the UEA without a visa for up to 180 days.
If you are from one of the following countries, you may enter the UAE without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180 day period:
- EU member states (excluding the UK and Ireland)
- Honduras
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Montenegro
- Norway
- Russia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Switzerland
If you are from one of the following countries, your may enter the UAE without a visa for up to 90 days.
- Argentina
- Barbados
- Brazil
- Chile
- Nauru
- Paraguay
- Serbia
- Solomon Islands
- Seychelles
- Uruguay
If you are from one of the following countries, you may enter the UAE without a visa for up to 30 days:
- China
- Japan
- Macau
- Ukraine
Emirates Transit Visa
Who can get a Dubai Visa On Arrival?
If you are from one of the following countries, you can get a Visa On Arrival for Dubai and any other UAE emirate, and so you don’t have to apply for a UAE Transit Visa beforehand:
- Andorra (valid for 30 days)
- Australia (valid for 30 days)
- Bahamas (valid for 90 days)
- Brunei (valid for 30 days)
- Canada (valid for 30 days)
- Costa Rica (valid for 90 days)
- El Salvador (valid for 90 days)
- Hong Kong (valid for 30 days)
- Ireland (valid for 30 days)
- Kazakhstan (valid for 30 days)
- Malaysia (valid for 30 days)
- Maldives (valid for 90 days)
- Mauritius (valid for 30 days)
- Monaco (valid for 30 days)
- Mongolia (valid for 30 days)
- New Zealand (valid for 30 days)
- San Marino (valid for 30 days)
- Singapore (valid for 30 days)
- South Korea (valid for 90 days)
- United Kingdom (valid for 30 days)
- United States (valid for 30 days)
- Vatican City (valid for 30 days)
UAE visa on arrival
30‑day visit eligibility
If you are a passport holder of the below country or territory, no advance visa arrangements are required to visit the UAE. Simply disembark your flight at Dubai International and proceed to immigration, where your passport will be stamped with a 30‑day visit visa free of charge.
| Andorra | Australia | Brunei |
| Canada | China | Hong Kong, China |
| Japan | Kazakhstan | Macau, China |
| Malaysia | Mauritius | Monaco |
| New Zealand | Republic of Ireland | San Marino |
| Singapore | Ukraine | United Kingdom and Northern Ireland |
| United States of America | Vatican City |
90‑Day Visit Eligibility
If you are a passport holder of one of the below countries or territories, your passport will be stamped with a multiple entry 90‑day visit visa that’s valid for 6 months from the date of issue, and for a stay of 90 days in total. Citizens of the below European countries are also entitled to apply for a pre‑arranged visit visa if their 90‑day visa on arrival has been fully utilized.
| Argentina | Austria | Bahamas Islands |
| Barbados | Belgium | Brazil |
| Bulgaria | Chile | Colombia |
| Costa Rica | Croatia | Cyprus |
| Czech Republic | Denmark | El Salvador |
| Estonia | Finland | France |
| Germany | Greece | Honduras |
| Hungary | Iceland | Italy |
| Kiribati | Latvia | Liechtenstein |
| Lithuania | Luxembourg | Maldives |
| Malta | Montenegro | Nauru |
| Netherlands | Norway | Paraguay |
| Peru | Poland | Portugal |
| Romania | Russian Federation | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| San Marino | Serbia | Seychelles |
| Slovakia | Slovenia | Solomon Islands |
| South Korea | Spain | Sweden |
| Switzerland | Uruguay |
180‑Day Visit Eligibility
If you hold a Mexican passport you’re eligible for a multiple entry 180‑day visit visa that’s valid for 6 months from the date of issue, and for a stay of 180 days in total.
Dubai Immigration Procedures
As an added security measure, Immigration Authorities at Dubai International are now conducting random eye screening for visitors to Dubai.
Visitors asked to proceed for eye screening are required to present a hard copy of their visa or a printed version of the visa number confirmation page at the screening counter. If you do not have a copy with you, a charge of AED 30 per copy applies ‑ payable only in AED.
Important Information
Before you travel to the UAE, please check your visa requirements and make sure you have a valid visa if needed, or if your passport needs to be valid for a minimum period. Holders of non‑standard passports and travel documents may also have different entry requirements: find out if you need to apply for a visa and other passport requirements.
As of 29 April 2016, GCC residence permit holders will need to apply for a UAE visa before arriving in Dubai.
As of 1 May 2017, Indian nationals holding a normal passport valid for a minimum of six months from the arrival date, and a visit visa or green card issued by the USA which is valid for a minimum of six months, or holding a UK or EU residence, can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 14 days for a charge of AED120 (subject to change). They can apply to extend their stay for an additional 14 days for AED250 (subject to change).
48 Hours Transit Visa Dubai
Prearranged UAE visas
| Visa type | Duration | Approximate rate inclusive of VAT | Extensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48‑hour | 48 hours | US$10 | Non‑extendable |
| 96‑hour | 4 days from arrival date | US$30 | Non‑extendable |
| Tourist – short term (single entry) | 30 days from arrival date | US$90 | Extendable US$230 |
| Tourist – short term (multiple entry) | 30 days from first entry | US$175 | Extendable US$230 |
| Tourist – long term (single entry) | 90 days from arrival date | US$190 | Extendable US$230 |
| Tourist – long term (multiple entry) | 90 days from first entry | US$460 | Extendable US$230 |
Required Documents
- Colour photograph of applicant
- Colour copy of applicant’s passport. The passport must be valid for at least three months.
- The original application form (available at all Emirates ticketing offices) can be accessed in Arabic or English, depending on the applicant’s nationality. Download the English or Arabic application form.
- Copy of the Emirates ticket
Additional documents are required for visitors of some countries
Additional documents may be required, depending on your country of residence. Please use our visa search tool above or visit our visa requirements page for more information.
| Afghanistan | National ID Card (Tazkira ID) |
| Iraq | National ID Card |
| Pakistan | National ID Card |
| Iran | National ID Card |
Rules and conditions
- Visa fees must be paid upon application.
- Additional visa processing fees apply.
- The passenger must travel to and from Dubai on Emirates or codeshare flights only.
- Visa fees are non‑refundable.
- The ticket is non‑refundable if the visa has been issued and utilized.
- Visa processing time is approximately 3 to 4 working days.
- Entry into the UAE is subject to immigration approval.
- All visas are valid to enter Dubai for 60 days from the date of issue, except the 96‑hour and 48‑hour visas, which are valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
How and where to apply for your prearranged UAE visa
- Apply online through Manage your booking
- Mobile application DVPC
Apply online
Nationals of countries requiring a prearranged UAE visa can now apply and pay for their visas online through emirates.com.
If you are travelling to or stopping over in Dubai with Emirates, you can submit an application and receive your UAE visa entirely online – without having to submit your passport for stamping. You can apply for your UAE visa through our Manage your booking after you book your Emirates flight. VFS processing fees apply. For more information please visit VFS Global.
The online visa application service is available for residents and nationals of many countries around the world. Find out if you can apply for a UAE visa. Applicants’ passports must have at least six months’ validity as of their date of travel to Dubai, and must be machine readable passports – handwritten passports are not accepted.
This service is only available to passengers with a confirmed Emirates booking where an Emirates ticket has already been issued and the flight itinerary already includes the desired time in Dubai. The itinerary into and out of Dubai should be on one ticket (PNR), and these flights must be Emirates flights. Note that any itineraries including any flights to or from Dubai on other carriers are not eligible for the online visa service.
A minimum of four international working days prior to arrival in Dubai is required, however Emirates does recommend that online applications are made as early as possible.
Apply in the UAE
If you have a family member or near relative who is a UAE resident, they can apply for a visa on your behalf at any of our ticketing offices in the UAE. Please note that this service is only available to residents of the UAE.
Sponsoring someone to visit the UAE
Required applicant documents:
- A colour passport photograph
- A colour copy of your passport (must be valid for six months)
- A copy of your Emirates flight ticket, or your flight ticket from our codeshare partner
- The visa application form
Required Sponsor Documents:
| Sponsor’s employer | Sponsor documents |
|---|---|
| Emirates Group Staff | Staff ID copy |
| Government/ Semi‑Government | Salary certificate (must be in Arabic)Sponsor passport and residency copy |
| Free‑zone company | Salary certificate from the free‑zone authority (must be in Arabic)Sponsor passport and residency copy |
| Private company | Labour contract copySponsor passport and residency copy |
| Investor | Sponsor passport and residency copy |
| Partner | Sponsor passport and residency copy |
Minimum Salary Required
| Relative (visitor/applicant) | Minimum salary of sponsor |
|---|---|
| Wife/ Children/ Parents/ Parents In‑Law | AED 4,000 |
| Brothers/ Sisters/ Dependants | AED 5,500 |
| Brothers/ Sisters In‑Law | AED 7,000 |
| Friends and Other Relatives | AED 10,000 |
How To Apply For Dubai Transit Visa Through Emirates
If you’ve ever flown in and out of Dubai, you may have had to transit for a couple of hours. So you might be thinking there’s no need to worry about visas. But unfortunately, a visa is required for anyone transiting through Dubai- even if it’s just for 3 hours.
Dubai is a wonderful place with great life style, Anyone who lives in Dubai or nearby areas would know that Dubai always attract people all around the world to visit her and enjoy her brilliant facilities. There are so many people who want to live in Dubai, many of them work here but the unfortunate part is that they don’t know the procedure to apply for one of the most important document in UAE – Transit visa through Emirates, you must be confused by now, don’t worry I have information ready for you.
What Documents Do I Need for a Transit Visa?
When you apply for a UAE Transit Visa, you must submit the following documents to your airline:
- Your passport, valid for at least three more months
- Passport-size pictures of yourself, in line with UAE visa photo requirements
- Flight ticket for onward travel to a third country
- Hotel reservation in UAE
