The Dubai 48-hour and 96-hour transit visas are short-stay entry permits for passengers who pass through a UAE airport and want to leave it during a layover. You qualify if your passport does not already allow entry to the UAE, you hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country, and both UAE flights are booked on one ticket with a UAE-based airline. The visa must be approved before you land, and the airline sponsors the application.
This guide explains exactly who qualifies for each visa, who does not need one, what the 96 hours visa Dubai price looks like, which documents you need and how to apply, step by step.
Dubai 48-Hour vs 96-Hour Transit Visa at a Glance
| Feature | 48-hour transit visa | 96-hour transit visa |
| Permitted stay | Up to 48 hours from the immigration stamp | Up to 96 hours from the immigration stamp |
| Government fee | Described by ICP as free of charge, plus any airline service fee | AED 50 (about USD 14), plus the airline service fee |
| Best for | Overnight layovers and one day in the city | Short city breaks and day trips |
| Passport validity | At least 6 months (GDRFA Dubai) | At least 6 months (GDRFA Dubai) |
| Entries | Single entry | Single entry |
| Extension or upgrade | Not extendable, cannot be upgraded to 96 hours | Not extendable or renewable |
| Use within | 30 days of the issue date | 30 days of the issue date |
| Processing time | GDRFA Dubai lists 48 hours, allow 3 to 4 working days | GDRFA Dubai lists 48 hours, allow 3 to 4 working days |
Who Qualifies for a Dubai Transit Visa?
Eligibility for the 48-hour and 96-hour visas is the same. You qualify when all of the following are true.
- Your passport is not on the UAE visa free or visa on arrival lists, so you cannot enter without a pre-approved visa.
- You are transiting through a UAE airport, such as Dubai International (DXB), Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or another UAE gateway, and want to leave the terminal.
- You hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third destination, which is not the country you are arriving from.
- Your inbound and outbound UAE flights are on one ticket with the same UAE-based airline, and your onward flight leaves within 48 or 96 hours.
- Your passport or travel document is valid for at least 6 months.
- You have no earlier UAE visa violations.
- You apply and receive approval before you enter the UAE.
Who does not need a transit visa
- Passengers who stay in the airside transit area on one ticket and never pass immigration. Lounges, restaurants, duty free shops and rest areas can be used without a visa.
- Citizens of the five GCC states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia), who enter without a visa.
- Passport holders with 90 days visa free entry within any 180 day period. China is on this list in the June 2026 Khaleej Times guide.
- Passport holders who qualify for visa on arrival, which for some nationalities depends on a valid residence permit from an approved country such as the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada or Australia.
Who is most likely to need one
South African passport holders appear on the visa on arrival list only with a qualifying residence permit. Without one, a 48-hour or 96-hour transit visa lets you leave the airport on a layover. Türkiye is not listed as visa free or visa on arrival in the June 2026 list, so Turkish passport holders should confirm their status with the airline and apply for a transit visa if a visa is required. Entry lists change often, so check your passport before you book.
48-Hour Transit Visa: When It Is Enough
The 48 hours Dubai transit visa suits an overnight stop or a single day in the city. The 48 hours start at your immigration stamp, not when your plane lands, so plan your return to the airport with check-in and security in mind.
- Fee: ICP has described the 48-hour visa as free of government charge, while the GDRFA Dubai service page lists AED 50 for the 48 and 96-hour service. Airlines add their own service fee, so the checkout price is the final amount.
- Typical plan: Burj Khalifa, which stands 828 metres tall, Dubai Mall and an evening on Dubai Creek in Old Dubai.
- Limit: It cannot be upgraded to 96 hours after approval, so choose the longer visa if your flight is close to the 48 hour limit.
96-Hour Transit Visa: Price and When to Choose It
The 96 hours visa Dubai price has a government fee of AED 50, which is about USD 14. The airline or agent then adds a service fee, and a AED 30 departure fee applies per passenger when you leave through a UAE airport.
| Charge | Amount | Notes |
| Government fee, 96-hour visa | AED 50 | Listed by GDRFA Dubai and ICP |
| Government fee, 48-hour visa | Free per ICP, AED 50 on the GDRFA Dubai page | The amount shown at checkout is final |
| Airline or agent service fee | Set by the airline or agent | Varies by airline and channel |
| Departure fee | AED 30 per passenger | Paid when leaving through UAE airports |
| Refunds | Not refundable once submitted | Confirm flights and passport details first |
Choose the 96-hour visa when your layover is longer than two days. It covers Palm Jumeirah, the Dubai Frame, a desert safari and a day trip to Abu Dhabi. There is no 24-hour or 72-hour option, so a three day layover needs the 96-hour visa.
Documents Required for the 48 and 96 Hour Visa
- A passport or travel document valid for at least 6 months. GDRFA Dubai lists 6 months, and the 2023 ICP notice listed 3 months for the 48-hour visa, so 6 months is the safe rule.
- A colour copy of the passport, including the cover.
- A recent colour passport-size photo on a white background.
- A flight ticket confirming onward travel to a third destination.
- A hotel booking, or the address of a friend or relative, if your stay runs longer than 24 hours. Some airlines ask for this.
Travel insurance is not listed as a condition of the transit visa, but it is a sensible addition for a trip of up to four days.
How to Apply for a 48 or 96 Hour Dubai Transit Visa
Transit visas are sponsored by UAE-based airlines such as Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia. Airline agents submit the application through the ICP eChannels portal, the UAEICP app or the GDRFA online channels. A travel agency can prepare the file, but it still runs through the airline.
- Book your flights with a UAE-based airline, with the inbound and outbound UAE flights on one ticket and an onward flight to a third destination.
- Confirm that your passport does not already allow visa free entry or visa on arrival.
- Choose the 48-hour or 96-hour visa based on your departure time.
- Prepare your passport copy, white-background photo and flight details.
- Submit the application through the airline’s “Manage booking” page, or ask a licensed travel agency to file it with the airline.
- Pay the visa and service fees online.
- Download and print the approved visa, and carry it with your passport and onward ticket.
Apply at least 4 to 7 days before you fly. GDRFA Dubai lists a processing time of 48 hours, while airlines quote 3 to 4 working days, and December, January and the summer months can take longer.
Mistakes That Stop a Transit Visa Application
- Booking the inbound and outbound flights on different airlines. Itineraries that mix carriers are not accepted.
- Having no onward ticket to a third destination, or flying back to the country you came from.
- A passport with less than 6 months of validity left.
- A UAE stay that is longer than the 48 or 96 hours the visa allows.
- Applying after you arrive. The visa must be approved before you enter the UAE.
Rules During Your Stay
- The visa is valid for a single entry, cannot be extended and cannot be converted into a residence visa or work permit.
- Holders may not work in the UAE.
- Overstay fines are charged for every extra day, and long overstays can lead to an entry ban.
- One emirate’s visa covers the whole country, so a Dubai stopover visa also covers a trip to Abu Dhabi or Sharjah.
Apply for Your Dubai Transit Visa With Hadaf Al Muteena Tourism
Hadaf Al Muteena Travel and Tourism LLC is a Dubai visa services company. Choose the 48 Hours Transit visa or the 96 Hours Transit visa on our apply now page, enter your passport and flight details and complete payment online. If you are flying soon, ask about our emergency visa processing options before you book. You can also add airport pickup and UAE tours to your order.
Dubai 48 and 96 Hour Transit Visa FAQs
Who qualifies for a Dubai transit visa?
Travellers whose passport does not allow visa free entry or visa on arrival, who are transiting through a UAE airport, who hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third destination and who fly with a UAE-based airline on one ticket.
What is the 96 hours visa Dubai price?
The government fee is AED 50, about USD 14. The airline or agent adds a service fee and a AED 30 departure fee applies per passenger. Read the final price at checkout.
Is the 48-hour transit visa free?
ICP has described the 48-hour visa as free of government charge, although the GDRFA Dubai service page lists AED 50 for the service. Airlines add their own service fees.
Can I switch from a 48-hour to a 96-hour visa?
No. The 48-hour visa cannot be upgraded or extended. Apply for the 96-hour visa if your layover may run longer.
Can I apply for a transit visa when I land in Dubai?
No. The visa must be processed and approved before you enter the UAE.
How long does a Dubai transit visa take?
GDRFA Dubai lists 48 hours. Airlines quote 3 to 4 working days, so apply at least 4 to 7 days before your flight.
Do I need a visa if I stay inside Dubai airport?
No. If you stay in the airside transit area on one ticket and do not pass immigration, no visa is needed.
Can I apply through any airline?
No. You apply through the UAE-based airline you are flying, and both UAE flights must be on one ticket.
