If you are traveling abroad and you need a stopover in Dubai for a couple of days, you will need a transit visa. This post will show you how to apply for a Dubai transit visa as well as the requirements and best practices.
A transit visa is a type of visa (or travel document) that allows a traveler to pass through another country before continuing with their journey to their destination. For example, if you are traveling from the US to China, but for one reason or the other, you need to stop in Dubai to continue your flight to China, you need a transit visa to stay in Dubai.
Types
Dubai transit visa is a single entry visa travelers receive as part of their airport transit. It is issued to travelers who have stayed in the UAE for eight hours or more during their journey. The visa can however be of two types:
- 48-hour transit
- 96-hour transit
The 48-hour transit visa is usually free of charge while the 96-hour transit visa is only for AED 50.
Dubai transit visa can only be issued by any of the airlines based in the United Arab Emirates. It must be processed and approved by the UAE airlines before your entry into the country.
You can move around the cities and explore around or meet your friends and families living there during your temporal stay in the city. You can as well have business meetings, as the transit visa is actually useful for business people who need to visit the country only for a few days.
Though the commonly known name for this transit visa is “Dubai transit visa or Dubai transit permit”, they officially refer to it as the “UAE Transit Visa”. It is valid throughout the rest of the country (UAE) as well.
Eligibility and Requirements for Dubai Transit Visa
The documents required for the application for Dubai transit visa include the following:
- A valid passport not more than 6 months from the travel date
- Copies of the passport (colored)
- 2 identical passport photographs
- Onward flight ticket booking to the next destination after leaving Dubai
However, if your stay/transit is more than 24 hours, you have to present a confirmation of hotel booking or proof of residence of the family or friend with whom you’ll be staying during your transit.
How can you get Dubai transit visa?
It is important to note that the UAE embassy does not issue transit visas to passport holders. Rather, they can request for it through Dubai-based airlines, hotels, or travel agencies by asking these bodies to apply for the transit visa on their behalf. You can follow the following procedure to apply for the visa.
The first thing you need to do is to choose the method of application that will be easier for you. However, when choosing travel agencies or hotels, you should ensure to choose reputable and reliable ones.
After choosing the application method you want, the next thing is to choose the type of visa you want to apply for i.e. 48 or 98-hour transit visa. Next is to obtain all necessary documents needed for the type of visa you are applying for and fill in the application form on the airline’s websites or the travel agencies. You should ensure to upload all the required documents to the online portals while applying.
Once you complete filling out the form and uploading your documents, you can then proceed to the visa fees, after which you can then submit your application.
Note that they might reject your visa application in case of incorrect details or documents. It can also hinder your future applications. Therefore, you should make sure to carefully fill in your details and upload genuine documents.
Processing Time
The processing time for Dubai transit visa is usually between 3 to 5 days. However, certain conditions can cause any delay in the processing time. Such conditions can be the entry type, how you applied, issues with the documents you upload, the length of the visa, etc. The processing time might also be faster depending on your travel history in the past 5 years as well.
How Do You Check The Status Of Your Dubai Transit Visa Application?
There are several ways through which you can check your visa application status. If you made your application through an airline, you can check your status by logging in to their portal and check the status. If you applied through a travel agency, you can also check your visa application status by logging into their portal as well. You can also send an email to the airline or agency to make enquires about your transit visa application status.
Once you have your transit visa permit, you must take a print of the visa with you as part of your travel documents. You should also ensure that you have all the necessary documents such as identification and passport.
Also note that staying back in the country after your visa expires is a criminal offense, which can have severe consequences. You should also note that you cannot extend your Dubai transit visa upon expiration. In addition, having the visa does not guarantee your entry into the country.
Conclusion
If you are traveling abroad and you need to stop in Dubai for a few days, you will need a transit visa. However, this visa cannot be issued to travelers directly except they apply for it through the airlines or travel agencies. They can also request it through the hotel, where they would be staying throughout their short stay. Dubai transit visa allows its holder to attend business meetings and explore the cities. However, you should note that Dubai has strict laws that you must abide by while in the country. You should also make sure you present the right information and genuine documents while applying so as not to delay your application. You should learn the dos and don’ts of the country and leave the country at the right time before your visa expires.