Published 27 July 2026 · Updated 27 July 2026
Two transit visas, one important catch
The UAE offers transiting passengers two options: a 48-hour transit visa (free of government charge) and a 96-hour transit visa (AED 50 to GDRFA, about Rs 1,290, plus the airline handling charge), both non-extendable and strictly for passengers continuing to a third destination.
The catch: transit visas are processed through the airline you're flying — Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and others sponsor them for their own passengers. You can't walk into an embassy for one; the eligibility flows from your ticket.
Who qualifies
- Your onward flight departs to a different country than you arrived from (A–UAE–A round trips don't count as transit)
- The connection fits inside 48 or 96 hours
- You hold a passport valid 6+ months and a confirmed onward ticket
What we check before you book
Because eligibility is airline-sponsored, the fare and routing matter as much as the visa rules. Coming from airline operations, this is home ground for us: we verify the carrier's transit-visa support on your specific routing, the minimum connection realities at DXB or AUH, and whether a slightly different flight time upgrades you from a lounge wait to two nights in Dubai.
48 vs 96 hours — choosing
The 48-hour visa suits an overnight-and-a-day: Burj Khalifa evening, old-Dubai souks and a desert sunset. The 96-hour version fits a proper mini-holiday — worth it when fares via Dubai already beat direct pricing, effectively giving you a second destination free.
Documents
Passport copy, photograph, confirmed onward ticket, and hotel details for the stay — submitted through the airline's channel, typically a few days before departure. Approval is usually quick for clean files.
FAQ
Is the 48-hour visa really free?
The government waives its fee; airlines or agents may charge a processing amount, which we state upfront.
Can I extend a transit visa into a tourist stay?
No — transit visas don't extend or convert. If Dubai deserves longer, we arrange the standard tourist visa instead (see our Dubai visa guide).
My layover is 30 hours — 48-hour visa or stay airside?
If it's overnight, take the visa: a hotel bed and a Dubai evening beat any lounge. We'll price both so the choice is easy.