As UAE’s gateway to the world, it is no wonder that so many Filipino expatriates are flying into the country on a regular basis. One of the things that many people do not know about their visit is the UAE transit visa for Filipinos. This article will help you find out more information on this type of visa and how you can take advantage of it.

Are you a Filipino living in the Philippines and looking to travel abroad? Learning how to apply for UAE transit visa could be the perfect solution if your answer to that question is “yes!”

Due to continuous communication between the UAE Embassy in Manila and the Immigration Department of Philippines, it follows that, any Filipino including those born on Philippine soil and those qualified as naturalized Filipino citizens who will be landing in any of the airports of the UAE for transit or transfer purposes are exempted from visa requirements.

UAE Transit Visa (Free Visa) can be issued by the Emirates Immigration Authority to Filipino who transiting through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah and Fujairah. Filipino nationals need to present their valid Philippine passport and return ticket dated within 30 days from the date of arrival in UAE.

Are you considering a trip to the United Arab Emirates and wondering if you need a visa? If you are Filipino and traveling to the UAE through another country, your transit visa will be handled within the airport itself. It’s quick, easy, and inexpensive.

If you are a Filipino citizen traveling to the UAE, you may be eligible for an Emirati transit visa. This is a special type of visa that allows you to enter the country for up to 96 hours while you wait for your connecting flight. You can apply for the UAE transit visa in Manila at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates.

The Emirates allow Filipinos to stay in their country for up to 96 hours without a visa, but if you plan on staying longer than this, or if you want to visit other areas of the UAE besides Dubai, then you must apply for an Emirati transit visa.

The Emirati transit visa has some restrictions on its use: it cannot be used as a tourist visa; only one person can use it at one time; and it is not valid with any other visa (such as a student or work permit). In addition, those who wish to travel to Kuwait or Qatar must apply for separate visas before entering those countries.

The UAE transit visa is a special visa issued by the UAE consulate in the Philippines that allows travelers to enter and leave the United Arab Emirates without a visa.

The UAE Transit Visa is issued to Filipino citizens at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Manila, Philippines and is valid for 30 days.

The applicant must have a valid passport with at least 2 blank pages and an onward ticket or return ticket. The visa can be obtained in person or through an agent who will act on the applicant’s behalf. There is no fee for obtaining this visa but there may be some additional costs associated with obtaining it from an agent.

Visitors are not allowed to work during their stay in the UAE, nor can they change their destination once they have entered the country’s borders.

The UAE Transit Visa is a short-term visa that allows you to enter the United Arab Emirates for a specific period of time. The visa is available to citizens of several countries, including the Philippines. You can apply for an UAE Transit Visa at the airport in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

If you are visiting the UAE as part of a cruise or flight, you may be able to use your passport as evidence of your trip. However, if you are planning on staying longer than 48 hours in the country, it’s best to get an official travel document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

If you’re traveling by air or sea, you should bring proof of your itinerary and hotel reservations with you when you apply for your visa at an airport in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. You’ll also need to bring documentation proving that you have enough funds available during your stay in the country (about $50 per day).

A Guide For Filipinos: Do I Need A Visa To Transit Through Dubai?

When we scored cheap roundtrip tickets from Manila to Dubai last year, we knew that our journey would not end in the United Arab Emirates—we would continue on to Europe to fulfill the biggest trip of our lives, and so we did.

As planned, we flew from Manila to Dubai through Cebu Pacific. From Dubai, our connecting flight to Vienna, Austria was via Ukraine Airlines, with another 2-hour layover in Kiev, Ukraine. Whew! I know what you are thinking. What a complicated flight, right? Anything to make #Europamore happen!

Since we’re having a connecting flight in Dubai in a different airline, we were faced by our first road block: 

“Do we need a visa to transit through Dubai?”

The short answer is: it depends. 

For us, we transited smoothly through Dubai WITHOUT a visa. Read on to find out how we did it and see if you’ll be requiring a visa as well for your circumstances.

If you are transiting at Dubai International Airport Terminal 01, just follow the directions:Terminal 1 (C Gates)

• Use transfer desk A if you’re flying with Emirates or Qantas
• Use transfer desks B and C for all other airline
• Transfer desk E (on the lower level) is for passengers transferring from Terminal 2

In summary, you won’t need a visa if you are not leaving the transit area, you are not retrieving any luggage and thus, would not be clearing with immigration. Save yourself some precious time and money, travel light.

Transiting With a Checked-In Baggage

“I can’t just have a hand-carry! I need to check in a luggage. What do I do?”

Lucky you, you can still transit without a visa but be warned, it would either cost you a headache as painful as a jet lag or a portion of your shopping money.

1. You can approach the transfer desk, get your boarding pass, ask them to check in your luggage for you and pray hard that it would make it to your final destination. Warning: this is risky.
2. Or you can pay for convenience. Marhaba Services offers a Baggage Transfer Service where they basically assist you in transferring your baggage between terminals or within the same terminal at the airport. They can guarantee speedy clearance through transfer desk check-in formalities; give you ramp transfer via shuttle services, if necessary; and most importantly, since you paid a premium, you are assured that your baggage will make it to the trip with you. The rate is AED 300. When we inquired in October 2015, we were quoted with AED 325 for six pieces of luggage for three passengers. For inquiries, contact them through marhaba@marhabaservices.com or call +971 4 389 89 89.

Luckier you if you have connecting flights on a single airline or reputable partners, such as Qantas, and Emirates, not only will they tag your baggage to your final destination upon initial check-in but they can also assist you if you do need to obtain a Dubai visa (subject to immigration approval). Contact the airlines for more details.

Getting a Transit Visa 

If you insist on getting a transit visa just to be sure or you just want it, you can do so. You can be eligible for a 96-hour transit visa if you are stopping at the Dubai International Airport for a minimum of 8 hours. Note that you will have to show a valid onward ticket, as well as your passport and other travel documents that must be valid for at least three months.

The two trips should also be to different destinations and a hotel booking is required for anyone who wants to get a transit visa. Marhaba Services also provides their CityStop or Transit Visa package. Rate starts from AED 450 (24hrs with 03 star single room with complimentary hotel pickup/drop-off, subject to availability), with an additional charge of AED220 for visa processing. You may approach the Marhaba Arrivals Desk just before Passport Control if you want to avail this service. Take note that the final decision on your transit visa application is still up to the discretion of the immigration officer.

For Filipino passport holders, a UAE transit visa is required.

You will need to submit the following documents:

-Passport with at least 6 months validity from date of arrival in UAE

-Visa Application form

-Passport size photos (2)

-Flight reservation confirmation (Required for all travellers).

Conclusion

Dubai and other emirates are now open to Filipino passport holders, who can apply for a UAE Transit Visa valid for 30 days, at the Dubai International Airport (DXB). An entry visa will also possibly be provided upon arrival, with a paid ticket for a connecting flight to another country.If you’re a citizen of the Philippines and your travelling to UAE with a confirmed same-day flight ticket, then you’ll be entitled for an exemption in visa fees and taxes. The administration of the UAE does not require Filipino passport holders to obtain or apply for an entry visa provided that the Filipino passport holder is carrying a return or exit air ticket out of UAE. However, if you’re on a business visa, then it is mandatory that you secure your entry visa before visiting the UAE.