Dubai Transit Visa for Indians: How To Transit Through Dubai

If you are an Indian national having a layover longer than 8 hours in Dubai. Then, you'll need a Transit Visa.

Let's dive into all the details you need for a Dubai transit visa.

Do I Need A Visa In Dubai For Transit?

Yes, Indians need UAE transit visas in specific cases. You must apply for a transit visa for Dubai/UAE if you're not eligible for a Visa On Arriva for Indians. Additionally, if your layover is longer than 8 hours, and you plan on leaving the airport, you need a transit visa.

The Dubai Transit Visa for Indians is a single-entry visa issued to people who must stay in Dubai or the UAE for more than 8 hours as part of airport transit.

This means that if your stopover in Dubai is longer than 8 hours, you must apply for a transit visa. Also, Indian nationals need a transit visa to pass through any airport in the UAE, which includes Dubai.

There are two types of Transit Visas for Dubai:

48-hour transit visa.

96-hour transit visa.

Do I Need A Transit Visa For Dubai If I Am Not Leaving The Airport?

No. You don't need a Dubai Transit Visa for Indians if you don't leave the transit area. However, if you wish to leave the airport to explore Dubai, you must apply for a transit visa.

What Are The Transit Visa Required Documents?

The list of travel documents you require to apply for the transit visa is short. However, you need to make sure that you submit all these documents.

You need the following documents:

A valid passport.

A passport-size photograph with a white background. Ensure you check the Dubai Visa photo requirements. You can also use the free passport photo maker on Atlys, which gives you a photo that meets the requirements.

An onward ticket booking to a 3rd destination other than the one you are coming from.

If you don't, it could prolong the processing time, or in extreme cases, officials can deny your visa.

Passport Requirements

You need to ensure that your passport meets the following requirements:

Valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of travel.

Ensure that your passport has at least 2 blank pages.

If your passport doesn't meet these Dubai transit visa requirements, officials will deny your visa.

What Documents Should I Have When I Arrive In Dubai?

If You've landed in Dubai. Then you'll need your

Transit visa: It would be wise to have copies of your visa just in case something happens.

Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 6, and you must also have at least 2 blank pages in your passport.

Proof of your flight ticket to your 3rd destination. It would be wise to have copies of your visa just in case something happens.

How To Get A Dubai Transit Visa For Indians

Transit visas are acquired through the UAE-based airline you are travelling with, as they usually handle the arrangements prior to your journey. In the case of a trip organized by a travel agency, they will facilitate the issuance of your transit visa. Airline agents have the option to apply online for Dubai transit visas through the following methods:

The eChannels portal.

The ICA UAE eChannels app for Apple and Android.

Online channels are offered by the relevant General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in each emirate.

To initiate the process of obtaining your transit visa, it is necessary to get in touch with your airline. Kindly reach out to your airline to commence the transit visa application process.

Everything You Need To Know About The Transit Visa

Before you apply for the Dubai Transit Visa for Indians, you need to know a few things.

What Is The Validity Of The Dubai Transit Visa For Indians?

The validity of the transit visa for Dubai depends on the type of visa you apply for. For example, if you apply for a 48-hour UAE visa, the visa is valid for 12 days. However, you can only stay in Dubai for 48 hours.

The 96-hour UAE visa is also valid for 12 days. However, once you're in Dubai, you can only stay for 96 hours.

What Are The Different Types Of Transit Visas For Dubai?

There are two transit visas for Dubai that you can apply for depending on how long you want to stay in Dubai. Here are the types of Dubai transit visas:

48-hour Transit Visa: This visa is issued to travellers whose layover is between 8 to 48 hours. It is a single-entry transit visa. You'll need to apply for the transit visa for Indians in advance.

96-hour Transit Visa: The Dubai 96-hour visa is issued to travellers whose layover in Dubai is between 8 to 96 hours. This is also a single-entry visa. Therefore, you'll need to leave the United Arab Emirates within 96 hours of your arrival.

Suppose you wish to visit for a longer period. In that case, you must get a Dubai Visit Visa for Indians.

Please note that when the 48-hour transit visa is issued, you can't extend it to a 96-hour transit visa.

How Much Is A Transit Visa For Dubai?

The cost depends on which transit visa you apply for. For example, a Dubai transit visa of 48 hours price is free of charge. However, the 96-hour transit visa is AED 50 (approximately INR 1126). Remember that the Dubai Transit Visa fees for Indian citizens can change. This is why I recommend you check the fees before you apply.

Atlys offers multiple payment methods, including credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express), debit cards, mobile wallets, and dozens of other payment cards worldwide.

What Is The Transit Visa Processing Time?

It takes around 3-5 business days to process your application. However, your visa processing time may be longer depending on when you apply, where you apply, and your country of nationality. To stay updated on your visa, be sure to monitor your visa status regularly.

What To Expect When You Arrive

The first thing you must do when you get off your flight in Dubai is to go through immigration. After that, you'll need your Transit visa and your flight ticket to your final destination.

You can then head to your next gate and wait for your flight or walk around the airport. Certain airlines also have packages where you can leave the airport and go sightseeing.

However, make sure that you're back in time for your flight!

What To Remember While You Have Your Transit Visa

When you have a Dubai Transit Visa for Indians, there are a few Dubai transit rules to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to remember that these visas are intended only for those passing through the country – not those who plan to stay. If you plan to stay, you should consider different UAE visa types.

As such, they are designed as short-term visas and therefore, transit visas cannot be extended beyond their validity period. Therefore, you must plan your trip accordingly so that you don't overstay the visa duration.

In addition, it is also important to remember that transit visas can only be issued if you have proof of onward travel. This may include air tickets or ferry tickets, depending on your mode of transport. Without this proof of onward travel, it is unlikely your visa application will be approved by the relevant authorities.

Finally, bear in mind that even after obtaining permission to enter Dubai via a transit visa, there may be restrictions on what activities you can carry out while in the city; some activities may require additional paperwork, such as special permits or licenses, which would need to be applied for separately and before arriving in Dubai.

Dubai Transit Tips

Lastly, I want to share some tips with you. These tips will help make your travel less stressful and more comfortable.

Take a pillow with you. Some airports have lounges where you can stay, and it's best to have a comfortable pillow to get some rest. Even if you don't go to one of the lounges and sit on a chair near your gate, you'll be more comfortable.

Remember to pack your charger in your hand luggage.

Find out if your airline provides lounges. This is important for when you have a long layover. Many airlines also have packages where you can book a room at a nearby hotel.

Pack comfortable shoes like slippers in your hand luggage. After a long day of walking, wearing comfortable shoes can change your mood in seconds.

Make sure you have an alarm for an hour before your flight. Again, this is just to be cautious; sometimes, time goes by so fast that we don't even notice.

Ensure you're at your gate at least an hour before your flight.

That's All For Now!

Applying for your Dubai transit visa is now easier than ever, and the required documents are minimal. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip and travel with ease. Be sure to check out the FAQ section on our website for more information.

Government Sources

This Blog has been written with the assistance of AI, but all the information was fact-checked and verified. When it comes to visa information, we know that our readers need to be able to trust the sources they're using - which is why we rely on government-trusted resources to ensure the information we provide is up-to-date and accurate.

The UAE government

Government of Dubai