UAE Transit Visa – Application And Requirements
Are you traveling to another country through the borders of the United Arab Emirates? Then, you must apply for a UAE Transit Visa.
Unfortunately, many travelers do not know the requirements, steps, conditions, duration, and processing fee for this type of visa. The reason is apparent. There is much false information about a transit visa through the United Arab Emirates. Do not worry! We have got you covered.
This article will provide you with all of the essential information you need to obtain a visa to transit through an airport in the UAE.
What is a UAE Transit Visa?
A UAE Transit Visa allows travelers to use a connecting flight from an airport in the United Arab Emirates to a third country. In other words, foreigners with a transit permit can board an airline from the United Arab Emirates to their final destinations.
Qualifications for a UAE Transit Visa
You will qualify for a UAE Transit Permit if you:
- Are not exempt from a UAE Tourist Visa
- Do not qualify for a UAE visa on arrival
- You have a flight ticket for the next 48 or 96 hours
Meanwhile, travelers from Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger, and Yemen do not qualify for a United Arab Emirates Transit permit.
Exemptions from UAE Transit Visa
Nationals of the following countries can travel to the United Arab Emirates without a visa. However, the duration of their stay varies depending on their country of origin. Find out what to consider before you visit UAE this year.
Indefinite exemptions
Nationals from the countries below can enter the UAE without a transit visa. They include:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
90 days exemptions
Citizens of Mexico can visit for up to 180 days without a tourist visa.
90 days exemptions
You can visit the United Arab Emirates without a tourist visa for up to 90 days within 180 days if you are from the countries below. They include:
- EU member states (except the UK and Ireland)
- Honduras
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Montenegro
- Norway
- Russia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Switzerland
Similarly, if you are from the countries below, you can visit the UAE visa-free for up to 90 days. They include:
- Argentina
- Barbados
- Brazil
- Chile
- Nauru
- Paraguay
- Serbia
- Solomon Islands
- Seychelles
- Uruguay
30 days exemptions
On the other hand, citizens of the countries below can transit through the United Arab Emirates without a tourist visa. In other words, they can stay in the country for up to 30 days visa-free. They include:
- China
- Japan
- Macau
- Ukraine
Exemptions from a UAE transit visa through visa on arrival
Nationals of countries who qualify for a United Arab Emirates visa on arrival do not need a permit to transit through an airport in the country. In other words, they can use an airport in the UAE once they have a valid flight ticket to their destination country. They include:
- Andorra (30 days)
- Australia (30 days)
- Bahamas (90 days)
- Brunei (30 days)
- Canada (30 days)
- Costa Rica (90 days)
- El Salvador (90 days)
- Hong Kong (30 days)
- Ireland (30 days)
- Kazakhstan (30 days)
- Malaysia (30 days)
- Maldives (90 days)
- Mauritius (30 days)
- Monaco (30 days)
- Mongolia (30 days)
- New Zealand (30 days)
- San Marino (30 days)
- Singapore (30 days)
- South Korea ( 90 days)
- United Kingdom (30 days)
- United States (days)
- Vatican City (days)
Requirements for a UAE Transit Visa
Applicants for a UAE Transit Permit will require the following documents to use an international passport in the country to visit a third country. They include:
- Your passport
- Passport-size pictures
- Flight ticket to a third country for onward travel.
- Hotel reservations in UAE
- A valid visa to your destination country
- Proof of sufficient financial means
- UAE Transit Visa Application Form
#1. Your passport
The passport must have at least three months of validity. In addition, it must be in good condition. Then, it will have at least a blank page for your visa stamp.
#2. Photo
Your picture must meet the specifications for a UAE visa photo. Otherwise, you will not obtain your UAE Transit Visa with it. Find out more about UAE visa requirements.
#3. Flight ticket for onward travel to a third country
Another document you need is a flight ticket to your final destination country. It will show your intention to leave the country within the validity period of your transit permit.
#4. Hotel reservations in UAE
Your hotel reservation will act as proof of accommodation in the country. Thus, it shows you have a place to stay while in the United Arab Emirates.
#5. A valid visa to your destination country
You must have a valid visa to your final destination country if you need to transit through an airport in the United Arab Emirates.
#6. Proof of sufficient financial means
You must also have enough money to stay in the United Arab Emirates for the duration of your visa. Your proof of financial means can be a bank statement, payslip, or any other official document.
#7. UAE Transit Visa Application Form
You must complete and sign an application form for your transit permit to the UAE. The application will contain vital information, including your name, place of birth, nationality, country of residence, the purpose of your travel, and the duration of your stay in the United Arab Emirates.
How to apply for a UAE Transit Visa
Perhaps, you have all the requirements for a UAE Transit permit. Plus, you qualify for the visa. Then, the next thing to do is apply for it.
You must obtain your transit visa before you travel to the United Arab Emirates. However, similarly to other types of UAE visas, you don’t have to apply through an Emirati embassy in your country of origin.
Thus, you need a sponsor in the United Arab Emirates to apply for your visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can sponsor you for a UAE Transit Permit?
Your sponsor for a UAE Transit Visa must be a UAE-based airline. They must apply for your permit through a relevant body in the country. Therefore, if you plan to have a stopover in Dubai or any other emirate in the United Arab Emirates, you must contact your airline to process your visa.
Where can you apply for a UAE Transit Visa?
You must apply for your visa through a UAE-based airline. The airline will obtain a permit through the following authorities in the United Arab Emirates. They include
- The eChannel portal of the UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA)
- The websites of the GDRFA in each emirate, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al, Khaimah, and Fujairah
- Mobile apps: ICA eChanel portal (for Apple and Android) and GDRFA Dubai (for Apple and Android)
What is the validity period of the UAE Transit Visa?
The duration of a UAE Transit Permit is 15 days. Thus, you can travel to the country within the validity period. Otherwise, it becomes invalid. However, once you arrive in the United Arab Emirates, you can stay there for 48 or 96 hours. However, it depends on the type of visa you have.
Can I renew my UAE TRansit permit?
You cannot extend your UAE Transit Visa. Therefore, you must have an onward ticket to your final destination country, depending on the hours you can stay in the United Arab Emirates.
What is the processing time for a UAE Transit Permit?
Generally, it takes about two to three days to process your visa to transit through an airport in the United Arab Emirates. However, depending on the situation, it can extend to ten days.
Hence your nationality, the airline, and other conditions can influence the processing period.
What is the processing fee for a UAE Transit Permit?
The amount you pay for a United Arab Emirates Transit Visa depends on the number of hours you will stay in the country. Applicants for a 48-hour visa can obtain it for free. On the contrary, if you apply for a 96-hour permit, you will pay a fee of AED 50 (US$14). However, it can vary depending on the time of application.
Conclusion
In summary, travelers who wish to use a connecting flight from the United Arab Emirates to another country must apply for UAE Transit Visa. However, citizens of countries exempt from a UAE Tourist Visa do not need a transit permit to move to a third country from the United Arabs Emirates.
