Visa as early as
Dubai Transit Visa (48 Hours)
Dubai only requires your passport & visa photo
How many travellers
Dubai Transit Visa (48 Hours)
Currently available only for Dubai (DXB) Airport Transit
All visa types offered
Process and documents
As per the GDRFA Dubai Visa Immigration guidelines, only your passport and a visa photo is required to submit a visa application.
You apply
Atlys verifies & submits
Government Reviews
Get Approved!
Passport
You scan. We extract.
Visa photo
Take a selfie. We crop & edit.
Compare us with others
The government portal, a local agent, or us? Here’s what differs.
$23 + $5 service fees
clearly shown up front
$23,
but no benefits
Final quote given after you’ve handed docs.
What’s happening in the UAE
Last updated: September 24, 2026
UAE flights have seen two weeks of rolling delays and cancellations.
More than 170 flights were delayed across Dubai and Abu Dhabi on 13 September, and scattered cancellations continued through 20 September as regional tensions affected Gulf routes.
Source: The National + 1
All three UAE airports stayed open across the whole period.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah operated throughout, with disruption concentrated on regional, Russian and Indian routes. Most carriers are running at near-full capacity despite the scattered delays.
Source: Khaleej Times
You can still travel to the UAE as planned.
Check your flight status on the airline's own app or website the evening before you fly, and again before you leave for the airport, so a retiming doesn't catch you out.
Airlines are rebuilding their UAE networks for the winter season.
Wizz Air announced on 9 September it will return to Dubai and Abu Dhabi from late October with 12 routes, while Lufthansa Group resumes Dubai flights in the same period.
Source: The National + 1
More European options from late October, though some carriers stay away.
Wizz Air flights from Dubai open on 25 October and Abu Dhabi on 27 October. United Airlines, by contrast, has extended its UAE suspension until March 2027, so check your carrier's status.
Source: Gulf News + 1
Worth waiting if your dates are flexible into November.
More capacity from late October usually means better fares and more rerouting options if something goes wrong, so a November trip gives you more room than one booked for early October.
What’s happening?
UAE flights have seen two weeks of rolling delays and cancellations.
More than 170 flights were delayed across Dubai and Abu Dhabi on 13 September, and scattered cancellations continued through 20 September as regional tensions affected Gulf routes.
Source: The National + 1
What it means for travel
All three UAE airports stayed open across the whole period.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah operated throughout, with disruption concentrated on regional, Russian and Indian routes. Most carriers are running at near-full capacity despite the scattered delays.
Source: Khaleej Times
Our advice
You can still travel to the UAE as planned.
Check your flight status on the airline's own app or website the evening before you fly, and again before you leave for the airport, so a retiming doesn't catch you out.
What’s happening?
Airlines are rebuilding their UAE networks for the winter season.
Wizz Air announced on 9 September it will return to Dubai and Abu Dhabi from late October with 12 routes, while Lufthansa Group resumes Dubai flights in the same period.
Source: The National + 1
What it means for travel
More European options from late October, though some carriers stay away.
Wizz Air flights from Dubai open on 25 October and Abu Dhabi on 27 October. United Airlines, by contrast, has extended its UAE suspension until March 2027, so check your carrier's status.
Source: Gulf News + 1
Our advice
Worth waiting if your dates are flexible into November.
More capacity from late October usually means better fares and more rerouting options if something goes wrong, so a November trip gives you more room than one booked for early October.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a transit visa for Dubai?
If your layover in Dubai exceeds 8 hours or you plan to leave the airport during your transit, you must have a valid transit visa before your journey. Once issued, your transit visa cannot be extended or renewed, and you must leave Dubai within the permitted stay period specified on the visa.
Please note: If you have a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa, you do not need a transit visa for Dubai. Additionally, if you're flying with Emirates Airlines, the airline will provide you with a transit visa.
Can I leave the airport with a Dubai transit Visa?
Yes, you are allowed to leave the airport if you have a transit visa. However, if your transit time exceeds 24 hours, you must provide either a confirmed hotel reservation or a copy of the Emirates ID and UAE residence visa of the person you'll be staying with in the UAE.
What are the Dubai transit visa requirements?
Here are the Dubai transit visa requirements for you:
Passport: You must have a passport or travel document with at least 3 months of validity.
Photograph: You need a recent passport-size photo with a white background.
Flight ticket: You must have a confirmed ticket to Dubai (DXB) and onward to a third destination.
Valid visa: You should hold a valid visa for your third destination country.
My passport expires soon. Can I still apply for a transit visa?
The UAE Immigration Department requires all visitors to have a valid passport for at least 6 months before arrival. If your passport is set to expire before this period, you must renew it before applying for a transit visa.
How do you apply for a Dubai transit visa (48 hours)?
Here are the steps to apply for a 48-hour Dubai transit visa:
Visit Atlys: Go to the Atlys website or download the app to begin your visa application.
Submit your documents: Take a photo of yourself using your laptop or phone's camera, or upload your photo and passport directly from your device.
Provide additional information: Enter your personal details, such as your parents' names, and verify the information you’ve provided.
Select a co-traveller: If you’re travelling with a companion or family member, you can include them in your application and complete it together.
Proceed to checkout: Continue to checkout and pay the visa fee.
Receive your visa: Once your visa is approved, you’ll receive it digitally through Atlys.
How will I receive my Dubai transit visa (48 hours)?
You can easily download your approved visa through the Atlys mobile application's “My Profile” section, which is present in your profile.
What is the validity of a Dubai transit visa (48 hours)?
The visa is valid for 48 hours from entry into the UAE, and you must depart the UAE within 48 hours of arrival.
Can I extend my Dubai transit visa?
No. The Dubai transit visa is valid for 48 hours and cannot be extended. If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for a different type of Dubai visa.
How we reviewed this page
Atlys has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on official government websites. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Official Website of the UAE Government. (Web). https://u.ae/#/
UAE Department of Culture And Tourism. (Web). https://dct.gov.ae/en/default.aspx
UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Web). https://www.mofa.gov.ae/EN
