Do I need a transit visa for a layover in the United Arab Emirates?

2/19/2018 8:09:15 PM

Staying Airside? Don’t Need a Transit Visa

You don’t need a transit visa for UAE, as long as you stay inside the terminal building airside, and for up to 24 hours:

TWOV (Transit Without Visa):

Holders of confirmed onward tickets for a max. transit time of 24 hours.

You’ll need a visa if you wish to leave the terminal building and effectively enter the country. Countries that are not eligible for a visa on arrival must secure a visa before flying to UAE.

Leaving the Airport? Get a 96-hour Transit Visa on Arrival

If you are not normally eligible for a visa on arrival, once you land in Dubai International Airport you can still get a 96-hour transit visa on arrival, provided you meet the following conditions (struck-out fees are my modification since online prices are somewhat unreliable):

This is what the IATA Travel Information Manual (TIM) says (April 2011 edition) (the best version of an "official source" that we can find). Note that it only applies to Dubai Airport, not other cities or emirates. All conditions must be satisfied … in theory. If you end up in Dubai and don’t satisfy all conditions, it might be worth trying anyway, but assume you’ll fail and you won’t be disappointed.
A 96-hour (“Dubai Stop-over”) transit visa can be obtained on arrival at DXB provided:

  • Traveling to a third country through Dubai International Airport;
  • Transit time is at least 8 hours;
  • Holding return/onward ticket and a hotel reservation;
  • Traveling at least one sector (inbound or outbound) on Emirates (EK). Fee: USD 127.
  • Facility is not applicable to passengers arriving on SQ-flights.
  • No visa will be issued on arrival to female passengers under 30 years of age, being nationals of CIS countries.
  • Not applicable to nationals of Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger, Somalia and Yemen.

The Emirates webpage on Visas & Passport Information adds:

Visa Issuance:

A 96-hour transit visa can be obtained on arrival at Dubai (DXB), provided:

[…]

  • holding a passport valid for at least 6 months from date of arrival.

Visas are only issued as a part of a transit package together with hotel accommodation and airport transfer (paid by passenger).

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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