Dubai Transit Visa for Indians and how it is Changing the Way People Travel to Dubai
The Dubai transit visa for Indians is quickly becoming a short-stay tourist visa (not officially, of course, but it sure does seem like it). Using a transit visa to enjoy popular attractions and sights in Dubai has become a trend. In fact, Emirates even allows passengers to book a unique “Dubai stopover experience”.
Think of this as an unexpected short vacation in Dubai, but you’re traveling to meet Grandma in London. Quite convenient, wouldn’t you say?
This post will highlight the requirements and application process for the Dubai Transit Visa for Indians, so you can enjoy a nice mini vacation to Dubai. Ahem, I mean, so you can have a safe flight to Grandma.
Sounds good? Let’s jump into it:
Do Indians Even Need a Dubai Transit Visa?
Yes, Indians need a Dubai Transit Visa unless they have:
- a visit visa issued by the USA or
- a green card issued by the USA or
- a residence visa issued by the UK or
- a residence visa issued by the EU
If you have any of the above you are eligible for visa on arrival.
Bonus Tip
Other than basic requirements there is one more requirement of Dubai transit visa which is Flight Ticket to UAE (eg Delhi to Dubai) and Onward Flight Ticket (eg Dubai to London).
So, there is risk associated that your visa may get rejected and you may lose your money of flight ticket. To mitigate this risk and stay on the safer side, consider the following approach:
Instead of booking a confirmed ticket, opt for a Dummy Ticket (aka Flight Reservation). Reach out to a travel agent to handle the reservation, he will hold the seat and fare for you.
With the reserved ticket, proceed to apply for your visa. Once your visa is approved, complete the full payment to confirm your reserved ticket.
In the event of visa rejection, you can cancel the reservation with only a nominal fee, typically around 500 to 1000 rupees, charged by different travel agents. This way, you can obtain a Dubai transit visa without putting your money at risk.
Once you’ve determined if you need a visa, you have 2 options:
1. The 48-hour transit visa,
2. The 96-hour transit visa.
Note: The Dubai transit visa can be used across all UAE airports and is not strictly limited to just Dubai. The official name is the UAE Transit Visa. However, it’s commonly referred to as the Dubai visa instead.
What Is the Difference Between The 48 and 96-Hour Dubai Transit Visa?
As the name suggests, the only difference is the duration you’re allowed to stay in Dubai.
– The 48-hour Dubai transit visa for Indians: Valid for 8 to 48 hours and is non-extendable.
– The 96-hour Dubai transit visa for Indians: Valid for 8 to 96 hours and is non-extendable.
Besides this, there is no real difference between the 2 types of Dubai transit visas for Indians. The requirements and application process are relatively the same for both.
Remember, if your layover/stopover in Dubai is more than 4 days (96 hours), you must apply for a Dubai tourist visa.
Important note: Do NOT overstay the duration indicated on your visa. This is a big no-no and could lead to hefty fines, or even a ban.
What Are the Ways to Apply for Transit Visa Dubai?
Options, options, options – you have quite a few of these.
There are a few different ways you can get your Dubai transit visa. Whichever method you choose, the application process and requirements stay the same.
The major difference between each application method is preference (which method you find easiest).
Other than that, the transit visa application and requirements stay the same.
Here are your options:
– Atlys – Streamlined process for easy applications.
– Airlines – Convenient and relatively easy.
– Licensed Agents – Convenient.
– The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDFRA). – Can be confusing if you’re not familiar with the portal.
– The ICA United Arab Emirate channels. – Can be confusing if you’re not familiar with the portal.
– The channels portal – Can be confusing
– VFS Global – Convenient
At Which Airlines Can I Apply for The Transit Visa Dubai?
You can apply for a transit visa to Dubai through airlines, as several airlines offer this service.
Emirates Airlines is a good example:
You can book your flights through Emirates and, at the same time, apply for your Dubai transit visa.
Let’s look at other airlines that offer transit visa services for Indians:
– Air Arabia
– Emirates Airline
– Etihad Airline
– Fly Dubai
What Are the Requirements for The Dubai Transit Visa from India?
The requirements for the Dubai transit visa for Indians aren’t very demanding, which is great.
No need to spend days gathering a host of documents and writing pesky cover letters.
You only need to submit the following:
– a passport or travel document with a minimum validity of 6 months (3 months if you’re applying for a 48-hour transit visa),
– a photo of yourself against a white background,
– an onward flight ticket (or reservation) to a 3rd destination other than the one you are coming from.
That’s all! Pretty straightforward, right?
How Much Does the Dubai Transit Visa Cost?
It’s safe to say that the transit visa won’t cost you an arm or a leg. The transit visa is relatively inexpensive compared to what you’re getting (a mini vay-cay before meeting Grandma).
The cost will vary depending on the type of Dubai transit visa you want to apply for:
Indian nationals applying through Etihad:
– The 48-hour transit visa fee through Etihad Airline is INR 799.
– The 96-hour transit visa for a single-entry fee will be INR 2395 through Etihad Airlines.
Indian nationals applying through VFS:
– The 48-hour transit visa fee through VFS is INR 900.
– The 96-hour transit visa for a single-entry fee will be INR 2020 through VFS.
Indian nationals applying through official government portals:
– The 48-hour transit visa will be processed at no cost. Yup – free Dubai transit visa.
– The 96-hour transit visa for a single-entry fee will be INR 1088 through government portals.
If you’re looking to apply for a Dubai tourist visa, or visitor’s visa. You can have a look at all the different Dubai visa fees for Indian citizens below:
How Long Does a Dubai Transit Visa for Indians Take?
The Dubai transit visa for Indians usually takes 3 to 5 working days to be processed. In the same breath, I recommend applying for your UAE transit visa at least 2 weeks before your departure from India. This allows for extra time should there be any unexpected delays.
What To Expect on Arrival with A Transit Visa?
The arrival protocols are fairly like that of the Dubai tourist visa.
Once you’ve arrived, head over to the “foreign arrival section” of the airport. There, wait in the queue where you’ll be assisted by authorities.
At the front desk, provide your Dubai transit visa.
In some cases, authorities might ask a few questions regarding your stopover. After your interaction, your passport will be stamped, and you’ll be allowed to leave the airport.
Important note: Once your transit visa has been approved and issued, it will be valid for 14 days. As soon as you enter the UAE, you’re only allowed to stay 48; or 96 hours (depending on the type of transit visa).
The validity period on your visa does NOT indicate the duration you’re allowed to stay.
Now, Off to See Grandma!
That’s that!
Now that you better understand the UAE transit visa for Indians, you can enjoy a stress-free trip to Dubai – Grandma, I mean.
I hope you have an amazing flight to Dubai!
Also Read:
Traveling during Pandemic to Dubai: Tips to take care
Dubai Facts: Amazing, Fun, and Interesting Facts About Dubai
