96-hour Transit Visa — UAE
- Max stay
- 4days
- Processing
- 2–4days
- Fee
- AED 50.00≈ $13.62
Difficulty7/10·Realism10/10Why? ▾
Difficulty
Moderate paperworkSome paperwork and processing time. Start a few weeks ahead.
Why this score?
- —Online e-Visa — no embassy appointment
- +1Strong baseline access — visa-free tourism eases the application footprint
- +0.5Fast processing (under a week)
- -0.25Onward / return ticket required
- -1Long documentation list (7 items)
Approval realism
Approval is likelyMost applicants with the right paperwork get approved.
What drives this score?
- —e-Visa applications are commonly approved when documentation is complete
- +1.5Visa-free baseline access — approval rates are routinely high for this passport
Step-by-step checklist
Your application checklist
- 1
Check your passport validity
36+ days beforeMost countries require 6+ months of validity beyond your travel dates and at least one blank page. If it's close, renew before applying.
- 2
Gather supporting documents
20+ days beforeYou'll need: Two tiers: 48-hour Transit Visa (free) and 96-hour Transit Visa (paid); Sponsored by the carrier (Emirates / Etihad most commonly, but flydubai, Air Arabia, RAK Airways also); Required only if you can't enter the UAE visa-free (many major economies enter visa-on-arrival); Permitted: enter Dubai / Abu Dhabi / Sharjah airside or land area for the transit duration; and others (see full list above).
- 3
Book refundable flight + accommodation
13+ days beforeUse a refundable booking (or a free hold/itinerary service) until your visa is approved — embassies want to see real plans, but you don't want to lose the money on a refusal.
- 4
Submit the e-Visa application online
6+ days beforeApply directly at the official portal. Save the reference number — you'll need it for arrival.
- 5
Track the application; print the approval
7+ days beforeDecisions typically take 2–4 days. Print or save a clear PDF of the approved visa — airlines check this at check-in.
- 6
On the day of travel
day of travelCarry: passport (printed visa if applicable), onward ticket, proof of accommodation, proof of funds, travel insurance. Border officers retain discretion regardless of visa status.
Show full requirements, fees, and source
What you need
- Two tiers: 48-hour Transit Visa (free) and 96-hour Transit Visa (paid)
- Sponsored by the carrier (Emirates / Etihad most commonly, but flydubai, Air Arabia, RAK Airways also)
- Required only if you can't enter the UAE visa-free (many major economies enter visa-on-arrival)
- Permitted: enter Dubai / Abu Dhabi / Sharjah airside or land area for the transit duration
- Apply through the carrier at the time of ticket purchase
- Cannot work; must depart within the transit window
- Stays beyond 96 hours require a regular UAE entry permit / visa
Fee breakdown
- Transit visa feeAED 50.00≈ $13.62