96-Hour Dubai Transit Visa 2026: Eligibility, Fee and How to Apply

A 96-hour Dubai transit visa lets you leave the airport and explore the UAE for up to four days during a long layover. It costs $150 through govr.ae, is single entry, and cannot be extended. To apply you need a confirmed onward flight ticket and a passport valid for at least six months, and most applications are processed within 1 to 3 working days.

What Is a 96-Hour Dubai Transit Visa?

A 96-hour transit visa is a short-stay entry permit for travellers passing through the UAE on a connecting flight. It allows you to leave the airport and stay for up to four days, counted from the moment you enter the country. It is made for layovers, not for full holidays or work, and is a cheaper, simpler alternative to a standard tourist visa when you only need a few days. The visa covers entry through Dubai and the other emirates, so you can use your stopover to shop, sightsee or attend a short meeting before your onward flight. For longer trips, compare your UAE visit visa options.

Who Is Eligible for a 96-Hour Transit Visa?

You can apply if you are transiting through the UAE on a confirmed connecting flight and meet a few straightforward conditions:

• You hold a confirmed onward flight ticket leaving the UAE.
• Your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
• You are travelling as a genuine transit passenger, not entering to work or stay long term. Some travellers may also be asked to show proof of accommodation, such as a hotel booking, though this is not always required. Conditions are set by UAE immigration and can vary by nationality, so govr.ae reviews your details before submission and tells you if anything else is needed.

Documents Required

Have these ready as clear digital copies before you apply:

• A passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
• A recent passport-size photograph with a white background.
• Your confirmed onward flight ticket out of the UAE.
• Proof of accommodation, if requested for your nationality. Clear, correct documents are the single biggest factor in fast approval blurred scans or details that don’t match your passport are the most common cause of delay.

How Much Does the 96-Hour Transit Visa Cost?

The 96-hour Dubai transit visa costs $150 through govr.ae. This covers preparation and review of your application, submission through official UAE immigration channels, and delivery of your approved e-visa by email. The full price is shown before you confirm payment, with nothing added afterwards. When you are ready, you can apply for a 96-hour UAE transit visa online.

How to Apply for a 96-Hour Dubai Transit Visa

Applying online takes only a few minutes:

1. Confirm your connecting flight through the UAE.
2. Upload your passport, photograph and onward ticket.
3. Enter your details exactly as they appear on your passport.
4. Pay securely online.
5. Receive your approved e-visa by email, then print it or keep a digital copy for your journey. govr.ae is a licensed UAE visa platform that processes applications through official UAE immigration channels and checks every document before submission to reduce the risk of rejection. Standard processing takes 1 to 3 working days, and urgent processing is available if you are travelling sooner.

Validity, Single Entry and the No-Extension Rule

Your transit visa is valid for a single entry and allows a stay of up to four days from the date you enter the UAE. It cannot be extended, so plan your layover and onward travel to stay inside the 96-hour window. Overstaying leads to daily fines and can affect future UAE applications if you are unsure about your dates, read about UAE visa overstay fines. If you need to stay longer than four days, a short-stay tourist visa is the better choice.

Applying Through Emirates, Etihad or Online

Travellers connecting through the UAE on carriers such as Emirates or Etihad often assume the airline arranges the transit visa automatically it usually does not. You can apply yourself, online and in advance, instead of waiting until you reach the airport. Applying ahead through govr.ae means your visa is reviewed and approved before you fly, so you land ready to leave the airport without delay.

Need Help?

If you are not sure whether a transit visa or a full visit visa suits your trip, contact govr.ae at info@govr.ae and our team will confirm the right option before you apply.

Compliance notice: UAE visa rules, fees and eligibility are set by UAE immigration authorities and can change without notice. All applications are subject to government approval. Confirm the current fee at the point of application.