UAE Transit Visa 2026: 48-Hour Free & 96-Hour Paid — Emirates and Etihad

A long layover at Dubai International or Abu Dhabi airport does not have to mean staring at duty-free for hours. Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia all sponsor short-term transit visas that let connecting passengers leave the airport, see the city, sleep in a hotel, and return for the next flight. The 48-hour transit visa is free; the 96-hour visa carries a small fee.

What the transit visa is

The UAE transit visa is a short-stay permit issued specifically for connecting passengers. There are two flavours:

48-hour transit visa. Free, single-entry, valid for 48 hours from arrival. Available since 2018.
96-hour transit visa. AED 50 government fee, single-entry, valid for 96 hours from arrival.

Both are sponsored by the carrying airline and require the traveller to have an onward ticket from the same UAE airport (or a different UAE airport, for the 96-hour option). They are not extendable. If you need more than 4 days, apply for a regular 30-day tourist visa instead.

Who qualifies

Passengers with a confirmed onward flight from the UAE within 48 or 96 hours of arrival.
Passengers travelling on a sponsoring carrier — Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia, or other UAE-licensed airlines that participate in the scheme.
Passport valid for at least 6 months from the entry date.
Nationalities not eligible for visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry. (If you are visa-free, you do not need a transit visa — just walk through immigration.)

48-hour vs 96-hour: side by side

Aspect	48-Hour Transit	96-Hour Transit
Government fee	Free	AED 50
Service fee (typical)	0 – 100	50 – 150
Stay allowed	48 hours	96 hours
Onward flight required	Yes, within 48h	Yes, within 96h
Extendable	No	No
Multiple entries	No	No
Best for	Long layovers, single overnight stay	Mini-stopover, short city breaks

Step-by-step process

Book a flight with a participating UAE carrier that includes a UAE layover.
Apply for the transit visa through the airline's portal — Emirates Visa Service, Etihad Visa Service, flydubai Visa, or the relevant equivalent.
Submit your passport scan, photo, onward ticket details, and accommodation if requested.
Pay the AED 50 fee for 96-hour applications (no fee for 48-hour).
Receive the e-visa as a PDF within 24 to 72 hours of submission.
Print or save the e-visa, present at check-in and immigration on arrival, and enjoy your stopover.

Documents required

Passport with at least 6 months of validity.
Recent passport-size photo, white background.
Confirmed onward flight ticket departing the UAE within 48 or 96 hours.
Hotel booking or address of host (recommended, sometimes required).
Proof of payment for the 96-hour visa.

What you can and cannot do

You can leave the airport, take a taxi to a hotel or family home, sightsee, dine out, attend a meeting, and re-enter the airport for your onward flight.
You can travel between emirates by car or bus during your stopover.
You cannot work, attend long classes, sign formal contracts, or take part in activities requiring a residence-level permit.
You cannot exit the UAE by land and re-enter; the visa is single entry.
You cannot extend the visa. If your onward flight is delayed, contact your airline immediately to convert the situation legally.

Restrictions to keep in mind

The transit visa is tied to your specific itinerary. If your booking changes — a delay, a missed connection, an itinerary swap — the visa may no longer be valid for your new flight. Always rebook through the same airline so they can re-issue or adjust the visa. The visa cannot be used to enter the UAE on a separate trip later.

Also note that a transit visa does not double as a re-entry permit. If you leave the UAE before the 48 or 96 hours expire, the visa is consumed and cannot be reused.

Common mistakes

Booking a transit visa for a non-participating airline. The airline must be a UAE-licensed carrier acting as the sponsor.
Underestimating airport transfer times. Build at least 4 hours of buffer between leaving the city and your departure flight.
Trying to extend the transit visa to a 30-day tourist visa from inside the UAE. This is not possible — you must exit and re-enter on a fresh visa.
Forgetting that visa-free nationalities do not need a transit visa. Always check your standard entry rights first.
Booking the 48-hour version when your layover is 50 hours, then realising the visa expired before boarding.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 48-hour transit visa really free?

Yes, the government fee is zero. Some service providers add a small handling fee, but the airline-direct route on Emirates and Etihad is free.

Can I apply for the 96-hour visa if I am only stopping for 24 hours?

Yes. The 96-hour visa is the upper limit, not the minimum. You can use less of it if your itinerary is shorter.

Can children get a transit visa?

Yes. Each child needs their own visa. Same fees and process apply.

Can I travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi during a transit visa?

Yes. Both the 48- and 96-hour visas allow free movement within the UAE during their validity. You can fly out from a different emirate provided your onward ticket reflects it.

What happens if I overstay the transit visa?

An overstay fine of AED 50 per day kicks in immediately. You will need to pay it before boarding your onward flight.

Can I sleep at the airport without applying for a transit visa?

Yes. If you stay airside (within the international transit area) you do not need any visa. The transit visa is only needed if you want to leave the airport.

Does the transit visa give me access to airport lounges?

Lounge access is a separate ticket / membership matter. The visa simply lets you cross immigration.

How we help

Visa Simplified processes 48- and 96-hour transit visas on behalf of travellers connecting through Dubai or Abu Dhabi. We also advise on whether a transit visa or a regular 30-day tourist visa makes more sense given your itinerary. See our visit visa services or our 30-day tourist visa guide if your stay is going to stretch beyond 4 days.