Dubai serves as a major hub for layovers and flight transfers. Indian travellers passing through Dubai onward to a different final destination need to acquire a transit visa if they wish to stay and explore Dubai for a few days.
A Dubai transit visa for Indians is a type of visa that allows Indian travellers passing through Dubai to leave the airport and explore the city until it is time for their next flight out from Dubai. If you are travelling somewhere and have a layover for 8 hours or longer then you will need to obtain a transit visa.
In this blog we will explore everything there is to know about Dubai transit visas for Indians, including the meaning, types, how to apply and more. Without any further ado, let’s dive right in.
Who Needs a Dubai Transit Visa?
Any travellers passing through Dubai on their way to the ultimate destination with a layover for longer than 8 hours need a Dubai transit visa. There are different types of Dubai transit visas available for travellers to choose the option best suited for their needs.
If you are travelling through Dubai to another destination and meet the following criteria then you need a Dubai transit visa;
- Your layover in Dubai is longer than 8 hours
- You wish to explore the city
- Your flight to your destination is 48 to 96 hours from the time you land in Dubai.
Do Indians Need Transit Visa for Dubai?
Yes, Indian passport holders need a Dubai Transit Visa if they are travelling through Dubai to a different final destination.
If a traveller holds a passport from a country that is eligible for visa-on-arrival then he/she may not need to apply for a visa but if they are not eligible for a visa-on-arrival then they will need to apply for and obtain a visa beforehand. The same rules are applied to transit visas.
Since India is not a part of the countries that qualify for a visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry, Indians need a transit visa for Dubai. As an Indian passport holder, you must apply for a Dubai transit visa. The application must be processed and approved before you enter Dubai.
Types of Dubai Transit Visa for Indians
There are two main categories of Dubai transit visas. Depending on the travel requirements, travellers can choose the best-suited option.
- 48-hour Transit Visa
As the name suggests, the 48-hour transit visa for Indians is issued for travellers who intend to leave the UAE within 48 hours of landing. It is best suited for brief layovers. This visa allows single entry to travellers and it is non-renewable and it cannot be extended.
The 48-hour Dubai transit visa for Indians is provided free of charge. It is valid for 12 days from the date of issue and will allow the visa holder to stay in Dubai for 48 hours.
- 96-hour Transit Visa
It is pretty much the same visa with all the same features except for the obvious difference – it allows the visa holder to stay in Dubai for 96 hours. It is non-renewable and not valid to be extended. The 96-hour transit visa should be applied in advance through a UAE-based airline.
The 96-hour Dubai transit visa for Indians costs AED 50. The validity of this visa is also for 12 days from the date of issue and provides the traveller with the option of staying in Dubai for 96 hours (4 days).
Documents Required for Transit Visa for Indians
Travellers need to provide certain documents to obtain a Dubai transit visa. The documents needed are as follows;
- A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity.
- A copy of the first and last pages of the passport is mandatory for Indian passport holders.
- Passport-size photographs with plain background.
- Onward travel ticket.
- Proof of accommodation if you are staying for longer than 24 hours.
- Some other documents may be required depending on your sponsoring airline.
Passport Requirements to Apply for a Dubai Transit Visa
- To obtain a Dubai transit for Indians, the travellers must have a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining.
- The passport also must have 2 blank pages at least for stamps and stickers.
Eligibility Criteria for Dubai Transit Visa for Indians
Indian travellers set to travel abroad with a transit in Dubai need to meet the following criteria to be eligible for a Dubai transit visa;
- Dubai Layover – The layover period must fall between 8 hours and 96 hours. However, in case the layover is under 24 hours and the traveller does not want to leave the airport, then they can stay in the transit lounge without a visa.
- Confirmed Onward Ticket – The traveller must have a confirmed onward flight ticket to the destination country.
- Valid Passport – One of the important requirements is a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity and 2 blank pages.
- Visa – If the destination country requires a visa then the traveller must have a valid visa for the destination country. In the case of Indian nationals holding U.S. visas or green cards, U.K. Resident Permits, or EU resident permits, they are allowed a 14-day entry visa when they arrive in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- Travel Insurance – It is always precautionary to have valid travel insurance that covers the period of stay during transit.
How to Apply for a Dubai Transit Visa for Indians?
Since India is not on the list of countries with visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry into the UAE, Indian travellers need to apply for a transit visa before travelling to their destination country through Dubai.
However, unlike a tourist visa or a business visa, you cannot apply for a transit visa on your own through the UAE embassy or consulate. A Dubai transit visa for Indians can only be applied through a sponsor. Only a UAE-based airline can apply for a transit visa on your behalf.
Following are the steps you need to follow to apply for a Dubai transit visa through an airline;
Coordinate with your airline – Since you know you will be passing through Dubai, you need to contact your airline and start the procedure for a Dubai transit visa. All major airlines like Etihad, Emirates, Qatar and so on provide this facility.
Submit the Documents – Once you have initiated the process, the next step is to submit all the required documents including a valid passport, passport-size photographs and an onward journey ticket.
Receive the visa – Upon receiving the documents, the airline visa agent will apply for a Dubai transit visa on your behalf through dedicated e-channels. Once the application is processed, you will receive your visa.
Airline agents will apply online for Dubai transit visas on:
- The eChannels website
- The ICA UAE eChannels application
Processing Time for Dubai Transit Visa for Indians
The application for a Dubai transit visa for Indians is generally processed in 3-4 business days. However, the exact time taken may vary depending on certain factors such as when you apply, where you apply, the airline you apply through and so on. Major airlines like Emirates, Etihad, FlyDubai and Air Arabia have streamlined the process to provide travellers with quick service.
Once the application is processed successfully, you can expect a mail from the airline notifying you of the visa issuance. The mail will also contain a copy of your transit visa to be used in Dubai.
Fees for Dubai Transit Visa for Indians
The cost varies depending on the visa type. However, listed below are the latest price breakdowns for a Dubai transit visa for Indians.
Note: All passengers transiting through UAE airports are required to pay a departure fee of AED 30. This fee is typically included in the ticket price, but it’s better to confirm with your airline.
| Visa Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| 48-hour Transit Visa | This type of visa is free issued free of cost for Indian citizens. |
| 96-hour Transit Visa | It costs 50 AED or 1145 INR (depending on the conversion rate) |
| Additional Costs | |
| Airline Service Fee | It will vary according to the airline you use. |
| Departure Fee | AED 30 |
Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a Dubai Transit Visa
- Wrong Travel Dates – Do not forget to ensure that travel dates reconcile with the transit visa issuance. Any inconsistency could lead to visa rejection.
- Improper Documentation – The absence of crucial documents such as onward tickets or valid visas of the destination country could stall your process.
- Applying for the wrong type of visa – Make sure you are applying for the correct visa according to your itinerary as transit visas cannot be extended.
- Not Meeting Minimum Layover Requirements – Ensure that your layover in Dubai is neither too short nor too long as that could create problems. If it’s too short you won’t need a layover visa and if it’s too long you will need some other type of visa.
Avoid these mistakes while applying for a Dubai transit visa and the visa will be issued to you in 3-5 business days without any hassle whatsoever.
Do’s and Don’ts for Indian Travelers with a Dubai Transit Visa
For Indian travellers with Dubai transit visas, certain dos and don’ts must be adhered to for a seamless experience.
Do’s
Check your transit visa validity, it should be valid for 48 or 96 hours according to your layover time.
Always carry important documents like the passport, Transit visa, and ticket for onward journey handy, so they are ready to be examined whenever needed.
Follow the rules of the transit and stay at the airport. And if plan to go out of the Airport, only visit the permitted areas.
You will need to have accommodation ready for yourself if you wish to stay in Dubai for more than 24 hours during your transit.
Determine if your baggage will be forwarded automatically to the next destination or if you need to collect it. You might have to collect your baggage if you are staying for quite a while in Dubai.
Don’ts:
Do not overstay. Make sure not to exceed the validity period of your transit visa as it cannot be extended under any circumstances.
Avoid bringing banned items like drugs, alcohol, or offensive materials as per UAE law. Don’t Carry Prohibited Items
Keep track of your flight schedules and arrive at your gate well in advance to not miss the onward flight.
Avoid unnecessary controversy or anything that might hold you back in the country even after your transit visa expires.
Don’t misuse the transit visa. The transit visa is for layovers; do not use it for business or extended leisure stays.
Conclusion
The process of obtaining a Dubai transit visa for Indians might seem a little complicated at first glance. However, it is a pretty simple procedure once you understand the process.
A Dubai transit visa is required for Indian passengers in case of a layover of more than 8 hours. There are two categories of transit visas available – the 48-hours and 96-hours which the travellers can choose based on their requirements.
Ensuring proper documentation, applying through a UAE-based airline, and avoiding common mistakes is key to a smooth process. So, follow the rules, adhere to the procedures and the process of transiting through Dubai will go by as smoothly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it possible to obtain a UAE transit visa upon arrival in Dubai?
Unfortunately, no. Indian travellers can’t obtain a UAE transit visa upon arrival in Dubai. They need to apply in advance through a UAE-based airline for a transit visa.
- How fast can I get a Dubai transit visa?
Once you apply for the visa, it will generally take 3-4 business days for you to obtain your visa.
- What are the eligibility criteria for obtaining a 48-hour transit visa for Dubai?
Indian travellers need to possess a valid passport, onward journey ticket and a long enough layover to be eligible for a 48-hour transit visa.
- Do I need a sponsor to apply for a Dubai transit visa?
A Dubai transit visa for Indians can only be applied through a sponsor. UAE-based airlines act as sponsors and apply for a transit visa on the traveller’s behalf.
- Is there any specific airline I need to fly with to get a Dubai transit visa?
Yes, Indian travellers need to fly with UAE-based airlines to get a Dubai transit visa. It is a requirement because Indian travellers need a sponsor to apply for a transit visa and the UAE-based airlines act as a sponsor.
- Can I visit tourist attractions in Dubai with a transit visa?
Yes, with a valid Dubai transit visa, you can visit anywhere in Dubai. However, your visits and stays should not exceed the total validity of your transit visa which generally may be 48 hours or 96 hours.
- Is travel insurance required for a Dubai transit visa?
Travel insurance is not compulsory to obtain a Dubai transit visa for Indians. However, travel insurance is highly recommended if you are travelling internationally as it will save a lot of money if something unforeseen happens.
- Can a Dubai transit visa for Indians be extended?
No, the transit visas are issued only for a fixed time duration and cannot be extended under any circumstances. Make sure that your onward travel is within the validity period of your Dubai transit visa.