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.
Yes. Since 25 June 2026, South African passport holders with a valid UK or EU residence permit may qualify for a 14-day or 60-day UAE visa on arrival. The rule also covers eligible travellers with qualifying documents from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan or South Korea. A South African passport alone does not qualify. If you're planning a Dubai layover, check your eligibility with your airline before travelling. If you don't qualify for visa on arrival, our team can help you arrange a pre-arranged 48-hour or 96-hour transit visa for your stopover.
Usually not, as long as both flights are on one booking, your bags are checked through and you stay in the transit area. The catch is disruption. If the Bangkok flight is delayed or cancelled and the airline books you into a hotel outside the terminal, you need a visa to pass immigration. A 48-hour transit visa arranged with us before you leave Johannesburg covers that risk and lets you step out if the wait gets long.
Yes. On separate tickets you normally collect your bags, clear immigration and check in again for the second flight, so you enter the UAE even if only for a few hours. South Africans need the visa approved before flying for that. We recommend a 48-hour transit visa, or the 96-hour option if your onward flight is the next evening. Apply with us once both bookings are confirmed, as we need the onward ticket details.
For two nights, yes. The 48-hour transit visa counts from the moment you enter, so a late arrival and an early departure two days later can push you over the limit. The 96-hour visa gives you a buffer for a delayed onward flight and time to see the city. Neither can be extended, so pick the one that covers your real timings with room to spare, and apply with us before you fly.
Only with a visa. Dubai International and Zayed International in Abu Dhabi are separate airports, and moving between them means clearing immigration and travelling by road. That counts as entering the UAE, so South Africans need a transit or tourist visa approved before leaving home. Allow plenty of time between flights for the transfer. Our team can arrange a 48-hour or 96-hour transit visa that fits your arrival and departure times.