United Arab Emirates · Visa guide
United Arab Emirates · Visa guideUnited Arab Emirates UAE Transit Visa
A short transit visa for a stopover in the UAE — 48-hour and 96-hour visas for travellers en route.
- ProcessingNormal processing is about 5-6 working days from submission; an express service is available within about 48 hours
- Visa categoryUAE Transit Visa
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United Arab Emirates UAE Transit Visa — overview
The UAE Transit Visa is for travellers making a short stopover in the United Arab Emirates en route to another destination. It is issued as a 48-hour or a 96-hour single-entry visa — ideal for stopovers and short business stops.
The visa is valid for 30 days from the date of issue, and you must hold a valid visa for the destination country you are travelling on to. Applications are made through a visa application centre.
Lifeset Overseas confirms which transit visa fits your itinerary and prepares the file so the stopover is straightforward.
UAE transit visa for Indian passport holders
The UAE Government portal states it plainly: "The UAE issues two types of transit visas: one for 48 hours, and another for 96 hours. Transit visas are sponsored by the UAE-based airlines and must be processed and approved before entering the UAE." You cannot obtain one at the airport on arrival; the airline you fly with (Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia) arranges it against your confirmed onward ticket.
When you need one
You need a transit visa if you will leave the airport's international transit area during a connection in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, for example to stay overnight or see the city. Passengers who stay airside on a same-terminal connection generally do not. If you qualify for a UAE visa on arrival under ICP rules that depend on other visas or residence permits you hold, that may replace a transit visa; confirm with your airline before booking.
What the airline will ask for
A passport valid for at least six months, the confirmed onward ticket out of the UAE within 48 or 96 hours, a photograph, and the visa for your final destination where one is required. Fees are set by the airline's sponsorship channel; ask for the government fee and the service charge separately.
Official sources
- UAE Government portal — Transit visa: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Types-of-visas/transit-visa
- UAE Government portal — Tourist visa: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Types-of-visas/tourist-visa
Quotation checked against the UAE Government portal on 30 September 2026. Rules change; the official page always prevails.
6 items
Documents you need
Visa application form
The UAE visa application form, duly completed.
Confirmed onward ticket
A confirmed onward air ticket showing the applicant's name and the entry and exit from the UAE.
Photograph
One recent coloured passport-size photo with a white background, front-facing.
Passport copy
A coloured copy of the passport cover and bio page, valid for at least 6 months at the time of travel.
Destination-country visa
A valid visa for the destination country you are travelling on to from the UAE.
Stopover details
For a 96-hour stopover, a hotel booking where applicable.
5 steps
How the process works
Typical processing: Normal processing is about 5-6 working days from submission; an express service is available within about 48 hours.
Step 1
Free eligibility review
We confirm whether the 48-hour or 96-hour transit visa fits your itinerary.
Step 2
Build and verify the file
The onward ticket, destination-country visa and passport copy are prepared and checked.
Step 3
Submit at the visa application centre
The completed form and documents are submitted at the nearest visa application centre.
Step 4
Visa processing
The application is processed — an express option is available.
Step 5
Visa issued
The transit visa is issued, valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
Transparent
Costs & fees
Item
Amount
48-hour transit visa
Inclusive of service charge and tax. An express option is available at a higher fee.
From INR 1,085
96-hour transit visa
Fees are paid in INR; once paid, the visa fee is non-refundable.
Confirmed at booking
Government and third-party fees change often — we confirm the exact current amounts for your case before you pay anything.
3 answers
Frequently asked questions
Both are single-entry transit visas for a stopover in the UAE — the 48-hour visa allows a stay of up to 48 hours, the 96-hour visa up to 96 hours. Both must be used within 30 days of issue.
Yes — you must hold a valid visa for the destination country you are travelling on to from the UAE.
Normal processing is about 5-6 working days; an express service can issue the visa within roughly 48 hours.
Why it matters
Going it alone vs filing with us
On your own
- Guessing the document list — one missing or wrongly formatted paper triggers a refusal.
- Generic cover letters copied from the internet that officers recognise and flag.
- No read on peak rejection windows or what this visa post is strict about.
- Government and VFS fees are non-refundable — money lost if you are refused.
- A refusal stamp follows you and weakens every future visa application.
With Lifeset Overseas
- An honest case assessment before you spend a rupee on government fees.
- A file built to the embassy's exact checklist and in the exact order.
- Weak finances, ties or purpose identified and fixed before submission.
- Previously refused? We can rescue and rebuild the file.
- Every case handled by one consultant, end to end.
Refused before?
A refusal isn't the end
A refusal is not a permanent bar — but it only improves if the actual reason is found and answered, and nobody can tell you a second application will succeed. If a United Arab Emirates visa has been refused, we:
- Read the actual refusal letter and pinpoint the real gaps.
- Advise whether to pull the officer's notes (CAIPS / GCMS) for the true reason.
- Identify which part was weak — funds, employment, purpose or ties.
- Tell you honestly whether to reapply now or strengthen the file first.
Visa refused? Our consultancy fee is refunded under the Refund Policy. Embassy and VFS fees are never ours to refund. Read the refund policy
Your next step
Start small. Go as far as you need.
Every price is all-in with GST included. Embassy and VFS fees are paid to them, at cost.
- / 01Free
Free readiness check
A few questions, a plain score. See where your United Arab Emirates file is weak before you spend anything.
Open - / 02₹499
Visa File Readiness Report
A consultant reads your actual papers and writes down what is missing and what an officer will doubt.
Open - / 03Priced per fix
Fix one problem
Checklist, cover letter, financial proof, SOP or a slot — buy only the piece you need.
Open - / 04See pricing
Full filing, done for you
Every form, every document, VFS booking and tracking until the decision — one consultant end to end.
Open
WhatsApp replies within about 60 minutes during office hours; otherwise a consultant calls you back within 24 hours.
Other United Arab Emirates visas
UAE Tourist Visa
A tourist visa to visit Dubai and the United Arab Emirates — short-stay visas of 30 or 60 days.
Study Visa
The UAE's student visa is a sponsorship: the licensed university obtains your residence permit itself. The draw is branch campuses of Western universities a short flight from home; the caution is price and the need to check WHOSE degree you actually receive.
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Your UAE Transit Visa: get it checked before you file.
- Honest assessment
- Fixed all-in fees
- No handovers between staff
- Licensed in Patiala
Let’s discuss your case
Message us on WhatsApp with the country and your situation. A consultant from our Punjab-licensed consultancy replies with the next step.