When it comes to traveling to a destuination while having a layover at Dubai, people mostly have two options. Firstly, they can obtain a visa on arrival, and secondly they can opt to get a Dubai transit visa. As far as the latter is concerned, you must apply for the latter before your trip. Your nationality plays a decisive role in determining the type of document you need from these alternatives. If you are an Indian passport holder, you need a transit visa to stop over in Dubai and other parts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on your journey. 

Generally, most people confuse between a Dubai visa and a transit visa for flying to a third destination through Dubai. The latter is necessary for those foreign nationals who are neither visa-exempt nor eligible for a visa on arrival in the UAE. If you are an Indian citizen who is traveling through Dubai for the first time, you would want to know as many details about the transit visa as possible. Read on to find out what it is all about and the process to obtain it.

Dubai Transit Visa: What Is It All About?

To gain a better understanding of what a Dubai transit visa is and the need for you to have one, consider a scenario in which you have a flight ticket to a certain destination with a layover in Dubai for a few hours on the way while heading to your destination. Now, if your transit time in Dubai is for 8 hours or more, then you essentially need to have a transit visa.  One can choose to apply for either a 48-hour transit visa or a 96-hour transit visa in such a case. Such visas permit the travelers to stay in Dubai without leaving the airport while transiting.

 Upon thinking about a Dubai transit visa, you might wonder if it is necessary as some foreign travelers transit through Dubai without it. Those individuals belong to GCC countries, Schengen countries, the UK, and the United States. At present, only passport holders from these countries get visas on arrival after landing in Dubai. For Indian passport holders, a transit visa is a mandatory document to fly to a third destination through Dubai.

 The other name for the document in the UAE is the Dubai transit permit. Along with Dubai, It is valid throughout the United Arab Emirates. With a Dubai transit visa, you can attend business meetings or meet your family and friends. On your way to a place in another country, it allows you to stay in Dubai legally for a few hours or days. The length of time for which you can stay in Dubai with this visa depends on the type of visa you apply. 

Eligibility Criteria for Dubai Transit Visa

Meeting the eligibility criteria is necessary for obtaining a Dubai transit visa. As an applicant, you need to have the following to qualify for it:

• A valid passport
• A UAE-onward flight ticket for the period for which you wish to apply for a transit visa.
• Hotel booking confirmation if your stay exceeds the 24-hour window after you arrive at Dubai airport.

 Requisite Documents to Apply for a Dubai Transit Visa

• A passport with validity for six months from the time of your visit
• Colour copies of your passport
• Two passport-size photographs that are identical to each other
• Confirmed tickets from an airline in connection with your onward journey

Steps to Apply for a Dubai Transit Visa from India

You need to follow a set of rules for the successful processing of a visa application. The same rule is also applicable when it comes to applying for a Dubai transit visa. However, unlike a tourist visa, you cannot apply for it on your own. You must partner with a travel agency or hotel for it. Alternatively, you can also request it through an airline based in Dubai. Follow the below-mentioned steps to apply for a Dubai transit visa:

1.   Choose a genuine travel agency to apply for a transit visa: Applying for a transit visa to Dubai through a travel agency would be easier and more convenient for you than doing it through a hotel or an airline. However, you must be careful while doing it. You may find many travel agencies for this purpose, but only a few of them are genuine. Do your research, and don’t hesitate to go through both positive and negative reviews of a travel agency before choosing it to apply for your visa application.
2.   Decide on the type of visa you wish to apply: As discussed earlier, a transit visa can be of two types. One of them remains valid for 48 hours, whereas the validity for the other one is up to 96 hours. Choose the option that better addresses your needs.
3.   Fill in the necessary details of the application form and keep the requisite documents handy: When filing your Dubai transit visa online, you will need to fill up a form and submit the necessary documents. Take your time while doing it. Go through all the fields one by one and make sure that you enter the details accurately. Visa authorities will verify the data r on the form. Thus, sharing authentic information with them is vital for successfully processing your visa application.
4.   Upload copies of requisite documents and pay the visa fees: You could refer to the above sections to know more about the eligibility criteria and documents you need for the successful processing of a Dubai transit visa. After filling out the online form, upload the soft or digital copies of all documents and pay the fees for your visa application. Choose a payment method that is convenient to you. Next, hit the submit button.

Generally, applicants receive their visa documents after submitting their Dubai visa application online within 3 to 5 working days. With that being said, it may vary based on several factors. Keep a tab on the email inbox of your registered email address to know if you have received it. In case of a delay, try reaching out to a representative of your travel agency partner to find out more about the status of your application. 

How to Use Your Dubai Transit Visa

So far as using your Dubai transit visa is concerned, you can do it effectively by dividing it into the following three stages:

• Before traveling: Take a printout of your visa and note down its validity. By adopting this approach, you can prevent yourself from overstaying. to travel. It is worthwhile to remember that a 48-hour transit visa remains valid for 14 days from the date on which it is issued. Likewise, a 96-hour visa remains valid for 30 days from its issuing date.
•  When at the border: Furnish your transit visa, as well as your flight ticket, at the time of checking by the border control.
•   After you arrive in Dubai: You can use your Dubai transit visa to visit different emirates and conduct business meetings in the UAE as long as it remains valid. This form of visa is not extendable. Also, you cannot utilize this visa for working in the UAE.

Final Thoughts

Applying for a Dubai transit visa is easy if you do so by following a step-by-step procedure as described above. Careful consideration is necessary while doing it, as your chances of entering into the UAE may get hampered in the future if it goes wrong. Keeping this in mind, you might want to consult a qualified consultant if you feel the need for professional assistance.

Categories: Dubai