Do Indian Citizens Need A Transit Visa In Dubai
Some Indian citizens traveling abroad can travel with a laissez passer but they need to check if they require a transit visa in Dubai. Dubai has an open border policy and entry visas are not required but some travelers are exempt from the transit visa. The requirements for Indians entering the Dubai are here.
Recently, there has been a lot of confusion regarding the Dubai visa rules and regulations. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has published a note on their website about whether Indian citizens need a UAE transit visa for a stay in Dubai which is located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to MEA, tourists from India can enter the UAE without a visa if they will be staying at the Dubai airport while on transit.
Do Indian Citizens Need A Transit Visa In Dubai
If you’re planning a stopover in Dubai to visit friends or family, be aware of the country’s immigration requirements. A transit visa in Dubai is mandatory if you are staying overnight. Those who plan on staying in Dubai for twenty-four hours will need to get a tourist visa as well.
Do I need a visa to transit in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
You need a visa to transit in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or any other emirate in the UAE if:
- You are not exempt from UAE Tourist Visas or you are not eligible for a UAE Visa On Arrival; and
- Your onward flight is in the next 48 or 96 hours
Nationals of Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger and Yemen cannot apply for a Transit Visa for UAE.
Who is exempt from Dubai Transit Visa?
If you are from one of the following countries, you can enter Dubai and any other emirate in the UAE without a visa and as such, you do not need a UAE Transit Visa:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
If you are from one of the above-mentioned countries, you have freedom of movement and may enter the UAE with simply your passport or ID.
If you are from Mexico, you may enter the UEA without a visa for up to 180 days.
If you are from one of the following countries, you may enter the UAE without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180 day period:
- EU member states (excluding the UK and Ireland)
- Honduras
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Montenegro
- Norway
- Russia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Switzerland
If you are from one of the following countries, your may enter the UAE without a visa for up to 90 days.
- Argentina
- Barbados
- Brazil
- Chile
- Nauru
- Paraguay
- Serbia
- Solomon Islands
- Seychelles
- Uruguay
If you are from one of the following countries, you may enter the UAE without a visa for up to 30 days:
- China
- Japan
- Macau
- Ukraine
Who can get a Dubai Visa On Arrival?
If you are from one of the following countries, you can get a Visa On Arrival for Dubai and any other UAE emirate, and so you don’t have to apply for a UAE Transit Visa beforehand:
- Andorra (valid for 30 days)
- Australia (valid for 30 days)
- Bahamas (valid for 90 days)
- Brunei (valid for 30 days)
- Canada (valid for 30 days)
- Costa Rica (valid for 90 days)
- El Salvador (valid for 90 days)
- Hong Kong (valid for 30 days)
- Ireland (valid for 30 days)
- Kazakhstan (valid for 30 days)
- Malaysia (valid for 30 days)
- Maldives (valid for 90 days)
- Mauritius (valid for 30 days)
- Monaco (valid for 30 days)
- Mongolia (valid for 30 days)
- New Zealand (valid for 30 days)
- San Marino (valid for 30 days)
- Singapore (valid for 30 days)
- South Korea (valid for 90 days)
- United Kingdom (valid for 30 days)
- United States (valid for 30 days)
- Vatican City (valid for 30 days)
What Documents Do I Need for a Transit Visa?
When you apply for a UAE Transit Visa, you must submit the following documents to your airline:
- Your passport, valid for at least three more months
- Passport-size pictures of yourself, in line with UAE visa photo requirements
- Flight ticket for onward travel to a third country
- Hotel reservation in UAE
How Can I Apply for a UAE Transit Visa?
You have to apply for a UAE Transit Visa before you travel. But just as with other types of UAE visas, you cannot apply by yourself at a UAE embassy or consulate abroad; you need a sponsor who can apply on your behalf.
Who can sponsor my UAE Transit Visa?
If you need a transit visa for Dubai/UAE, only your UAE-based airline can serve as your sponsor. They are the ones who arrange to get your transit visa from the relevant visa issuing authorities in the UAE. So, if you know you will stop in Dubai or Abu Dhabi or any other emirate on your way to a third destination, then you must contact your airline to start the process of obtaining your transit visa.
If you are travelling through a travel agency, they can help you with the process, but it is only the airlines who arrange your transit visa for you. Travel agencies or private sponsors cannot apply on your behalf, like for tourist visas.
Where to apply for a UAE Transit Visa?
First, you apply through your airline. Then, your airline applies for your transit visa online, through one of the following ways:
- Through the eChanel portal of the UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA); or
- Through the websites of the GDRFA in each emirate: