Dubai Transit Visa Types
Choose the Dubai Transit Visa That Covers Your Connection
Every permit here is single entry, must be used within 30 days of issue and cannot be extended in Dubai. Fees are shown before you pay.
96 Hour Transit
14 Day Business
30 Day Single
60 Day Multiple
60 Day Single
30 Day Multiple
60 Day Inside A2A Visa Extension
7 Day Short Stay
2 Yr Freelancer Visa
Must have :
- Valid passport for at least six months.
- Confirmed onward ticket to a third country, departing within your 48 or 96 hour window.
- Confirmed hotel booking in Dubai, or the address of the family or friends you are staying with.
Important note :
- The passport scan must show the whole bio page. Do not cover any part with paper, a finger or another object.
- Your photo needs a plain white background and must be less than six months old.
Documents Required
Documents Required for a Dubai Transit Visa
Four documents, and a specialist checks each one before your application is filed.
Passport Must Have
Personal Details
Your full name, date of birth, passport number, and expiration date.
Photo & Signature
The passport holder’s photo and signature should be clear and legible.
Complete Page Visibility
The entire bio page should be visible, without glare or cropping.
Passport Must Have
Your passport should have at least 6 months of validity and at least 4 blank pages.
Make sure your passport scan is clear, uncropped and easy to read.
Photograph Upload Guidelines
Recent Photograph
The photograph must be taken within the last 6 months.
Clear Face Visibility
The face should be clearly visible, front-facing, with a neutral expression.
Background
The background must be plain white or light-colored, without shadows or patterns.
No Accessories
Sunglasses, caps, hats, or headphones are not allowed.
(Religious headwear is permitted if the face is fully visible.)
Image Quality
The image must be clear, high resolution, and free from blur, filters, or glare.
File Format
JPG / JPEG / PNG formats are accepted.
Hotel Ticket Upload Guidelines
Confirmed Hotel Booking
The hotel reservation must be confirmed.
Guest Name
The booking must display the guest name, matching the passport.
Stay Details
Hotel name, address, check-in & check-out dates must be clearly visible.
Complete Booking Page
The full booking details should be visible, without cutting or hiding any information.
File Format
PDF or image format (JPG / PNG) is accepted.
Flight Ticket Upload Guidelines
Confirmed Ticket
Only a confirmed onward ticket to a third country is accepted (no hold or tentative bookings), departing within your transit window.
Passenger Details
The ticket must clearly show the passenger name, matching the passport.
Travel Details Visible
Flight number, departure & arrival cities, and travel dates must be visible.
Readable Document
The ticket must be clear and legible, without cropping or distortion.
File Format
PDF or image format (JPG / PNG) is acceptable.
FAQ
Dubai Transit Visa Questions, Answered
Who needs one, 48 versus 96 hours, fees, documents and what airlines check at boarding.
No. An Ethiopian passport needs a UAE visa approved before travel if you plan to leave the airport, including during a layover. Visa stamping at the airport is not available to Ethiopian nationals, so do not rely on that older advice. For a short stop, a 48-hour or 96-hour transit visa is the right choice. Apply with us before you fly from Addis Ababa so the airline can see the approval.
OK to board is a separate airline process that some carriers use, mostly on routes from South Asia. Every airline, including Ethiopian Airlines, does check your documents at Bole before boarding. If you will leave Dubai airport, they need to see the approved transit visa, your onward ticket and any visa for your final country. We email your approval as soon as it is issued so you can show it at check-in.
If the wait is more than a few hours or runs overnight, a transit visa is worth having. Without one, you stay in the terminal for the whole wait. With a 48-hour transit visa you can leave the airport, rest in a hotel and return for your Saudi flight. You will still need the correct visa or permit for Saudi Arabia. Apply with us before departure and we will match the visa to your timings.
Generally, yes, if both flights are on one ticket and your bags go through. Your Canadian or US visa will be checked at Addis Ababa before you board. The risk is a missed or cancelled connection, which can leave you in the transit area for many hours. We suggest a pre-arranged 48-hour transit visa as a fallback, so you can leave the airport and stay in a hotel if the airline rebooks you.
If you are passing through Dubai on the way to Addis Ababa and want a day or two in the city, the 48-hour transit visa usually fits; for up to four days, take the 96-hour option. Your passport, a recent photo and the confirmed onward flight are the core documents. If you hold residency in another Gulf country, mention it when you apply with us so we can check the details.