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United Arab Emirates
Dubai skyline at twilight with the Burj Khalifa rising above the sea

At a glance

Verified 27 July 2026 · official source

Government / embassy fee — 48-hour transit visa: no government fee. 96-hour: AED 50 (about Rs 1,290) plus the airline handling charge.

₹1,287per applicant

Service charges are additional.

Processing time
GDRFA target is 48 hours; airlines usually confirm in 24-72 hours
Visa validity
Valid only on the one confirmed itinerary it was issued against
Stay duration
48 or 96 hours from arrival, and neither type is extendable
Entry
Single entry, transit only

Documents required

  • Passport valid 6+ months
  • Confirmed onward ticket to a third country
  • Airline transit application
  • Passport photograph

Exact requirements vary by profile — send an enquiry and we’ll confirm yours.

Visa services · United Arab Emirates

UAE Transit Visa for Indians

Long layover in Dubai or Abu Dhabi? The UAE's 48-hour and 96-hour transit visas turn a connection into a mini-trip — if your booking is structured correctly.

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 genuinely 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.

Related on Flynk

More questions, answered

How much does the 96-hour Dubai transit visa cost?
Government charges are modest — typically AED 50 range — plus the airline or agent processing fee. The 48-hour version carries no government fee at all.
Can my family get transit visas together?
Yes — each transiting passenger applies individually through the carrier, including children. All must hold onward tickets to a third country on the same eligible routing.
When should I apply for a UAE transit visa?
Through your airline as soon as tickets are issued, ideally 4–7 days before departure. It cannot be arranged on arrival, and same-day processing is not guaranteed.
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