UAE Transit Visa
Middle Eastern airlines sell tickets at very attractive rates, but many passengers have questions related to layovers. In this article, we will take a detailed look at who needs a transit visa for a layover in the UAE and in what cases.
When is a transit visa not required for a layover in the UAE?
If your layover lasts less than 24 hours and you do not plan to leave the airport's transit zone, then you do not need a transit visa for the UAE.
In what cases will you have to leave the transit zone?
- When you purchased 2 separate airline tickets from two different airlines that are not part of the same alliance. Consequently, your luggage will not be checked through to the final destination, and you will have to collect it and check it in again, which will require you to leave the transit zone.
- Layover with an airport change.
- Layover duration exceeding 24 hours.
The visa application procedure depends on which airport you will be transiting through.
How to apply for a transit visa in Dubai?
You can apply for a visa in two ways:
- through Emirates airline
- independently, through a visa center for Asian countries, or another accredited partner of the UAE Citizenship and Migration Affairs Authority.
A transit visa is valid for a stay in the UAE for up to 96 hours or 4 days and is issued for 2 months, during which you must use it. The UAE visa is electronic; it is a regular printout with a unique number on an A4 sheet, which you must take with you.
Please note that the visa is only valid for Dubai Airport, meaning your departure and arrival must be at this airport; however, with it, you can freely travel throughout the entire territory of the UAE.
Applying for a visa through Emirates and Fly Dubai airlines
A visa request can be made directly on the Emirates or Fly Dubai website after purchasing an airline ticket in the "Manage Booking" section. The request for a UAE transit visa through the airline's website must be submitted at least 4 working days before departure.
The confirmation, which you need to print and take with you, will be sent to your email address.
Additionally, a transit visa application can also be submitted at the airline's office.
You will only need tickets and your passport. If you have not had other visas in the last 5 years, such as Schengen, UK, or USA visas, additional documents may be required, for example, a bank statement or an employment certificate.
Applying for a visa through a visa center
Visa applications are accepted both online and at the visa center's office. The processing time for documents is 2-3 working days.
Friday and Saturday are official weekends in the UAE.
You upload the list of documents specified below to the visa center's website or bring them to the office. After a few days, you can download your electronic visa from the visa center's website in your personal account or pick up a printout at the office.
If you don't have much time in Dubai but want to visit and see as many interesting places as possible, we recommend booking a city tour in advance.
How to apply for a transit visa in Abu Dhabi?
If you have a layover in Abu Dhabi, you can apply for a visa through Etihad Airways, provided that the flight is also operated by this airline and the layover duration is at least 8 hours.
The application can be submitted both at the airline's office and online on their website.
Please note that in addition to the standard list of documents specified below, a hotel reservation must be provided.
The visa is issued for 96 hours with a 14-day window, including the day of visa issuance, so apply for it shortly before your departure. Documents are processed within 3 working days.
Upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, you must approach the immigration desk with your printed visa confirmation and have the original visa stamped in your passport.
List of documents for obtaining a UAE transit visa
1. Color copy of the international passport's spread with applicant's data and photo.
Please note that the passport's validity period must be at least 6 months from the end of the trip.
2. Color photograph on a light background.
3. Airline ticket.
4. Additional documents (one of your choice).
- Employment certificate (on company letterhead, with stamp and signature of the responsible person, indicating position and salary – not less than 40,000 RUB)
- Bank statement copy (for the last 6 months with a turnover of about $10,000, with bank stamp);
- Schengen, American, or British visa obtained within the last 5 years (scanned copy of the passport spread with the visa).
5. Application form – filled out electronically on the website or by hand.
6. When transiting through Abu Dhabi airport, a hotel reservation is required. Read here on how to make a hotel reservation solely for visa purposes.
