The UAE cabinet approved a decision to exempt transit flyers from all entry fees for the first two days. The Dubai Transit visa, which can be obtained at express counters across UAE airports, can be extended for up to four days for a minimal fee of AED 50.

The programme is intended to encourage transiting passengers to travel out of airports to experience the UAE’s tourism offering before their next flight.

As per the current policy, the UAE allows transit passengers from different countries to step outside the airport and discover the city for a few hours.  However, only those with a confirmed onward journey or ticket and hotel reservations are eligible for a short-term transit visa.

  1. Flyers passing through UAE with onward journeys can get a transit visa valid for 48 hours or two days, free of charge.
  2. The transit visa can be extended up to 96 hours (four days), but a fee of AED 50 will be charged.
  3. Transit visas can be obtained upon arrival.
  4. Express counters at the passport-control hall across UAE airports including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, will be on hand to issue the visa.
  5. Current transit visa policy does not allow all transit passengers to stay in the UAE even for a limited period. Indians, for example, can obtain a transit visa if their final destination is the United States, United Kingdom or Europe.

Who can get a Dubai transit visa and how?

Destination: If you travel through Dubai for example and have an approved ticket to a destination other than your place of flight origin. For example, Cochin (India) to Dubai (UAE) to Amsterdam (Netherlands).

Time between flights: The next departure time from the UAE should be at least eight hours after the time of arrival at the airport.

Advance arrangements: If you are a citizen of a visa-free country approved by the government, you can get a visa on arrival for 14, 30 or 90 days depending on your nationality and other parameters. If your country isn’t on this list, only airlines can get this visa issued.

Which visa to get?

Visa on arrival

If you’re an Indian citizen with a valid United States visa, you can get a visit visa on arrival (instead of transit) valid for 14-days. You could also get visas on arrival if you’re from one of these countries approved by the UAE government.

However, approval for these requests for visa on arrival are subject to individual parameters including final destinations, period and place of stay and purpose of visit. The fees for visa on arrival may also differ.

Pre-planned Dubai transit visa:

  1. In case you don’t fall under any ‘visa on arrival’ category, you can get the transit visa only through the airline that you’re traveling with.
  2. In this case, you may be required to also have a hotel reservation confirmation with you.
  3. If your trip is through a travel agency, the agency could also help you get the visa, but all visas are routed through the airline.
  4. Pre-plan the visit and get a visa issued before the date of travel, also remembering that this visa is only valid for use for 14 days from the date of issue.
  5. Once you enter the country, the visa gives you 96 hours to roam about freely before reporting for your flight out.
  6. You will have to submit color passport copies, two photographs and the visa fee of Dh100 to get the visa.

Make the most of your trip

Ejarcar.com offers the largest selection for cars for rent in Dubai to explore the city at your own pace. Make sure you make the most of your 48 hours in Dubai using our handy tourist guides below:

5 Summer Activities For Tourists in Dubai

12 Crazy things to do in Dubai

Top 5 road trips from Dubai

Disclaimer: This is only a guide. ejarcar is not responsible for any changes or amendments to these provisions for transit visas.

Source: Gufnews.com,  New transit visas to boost tourism,  How to get a transit visa for stopover flights through the UAE, Transit passengers to enjoy a day out in UAE