If you’re traveling to Dubai or any of the seven emirates of UAE, you will have to apply for an emirates Dubai visa. You can fill out the emirates visa application to obtain your emirates visa based on the purpose of your visit. However, if you are transiting between airports to reach your final destination through a foreign country such as Dubai in this instance, you may wonder is transit through Abu Dhabi possible with an Emirates Transit Visa? This article will help you understand the purpose of transit visas and how you can transit within the airports of UAE through your emirates transit visa.
Before traveling to Dubai, you are required to assess the emirates visa check to determine the validity of emirates visa travel. Depending on the emirates visa type, the stay permit on an emirates visa can range from the duration of 48 hours a day to long term yearly visas with both single and multiple-entry permits. The validity of each visa depends on the emirates visa type and entry permits.
The UAE government issues an emirates visa on arrival depending on the duration of stay and the specific nationalities. Although, GCC residents are not eligible for an emirates visa on arrival, however, other specific nationalities can obtain a Dubai visa on arrival, whereas, some have to apply for an emirates visa in advance. If you are a GCC resident, you will not require an entry visa to Abu Dhabi. However, if you have a layover period of less than 8 hours you are not required to apply for an emirates transit visa. An emirates transit visa allows you to pass through the international zone of the airport, without entering Abu Dhabi’s territory.
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Why is transit through Abu Dhabi possible with an emirates transit visa?
The purpose of transit visas come up when your travel itinerary includes a layover in another foreign country on your way to reach your final destination. For example, if your origin of travel is Austria via Dubai to India, it means that you are transiting via Dubai to your final 3rd destination. In case, you have a layover period of 8 hours, then you are provided with a free visa entry. However, if you have a layover period of more than 8 hours, you will be required to apply for an emirates transit visa.
Validity of emirates transit visa requirements for Abu Dhabi:
- The emirates transit visa is valid for 14 days, from the date of your arrival in the UAE. This may be subject to change according to your nationality. For example: If you are of European nationality, you are eligible for a 30-day visit visa on arrival.
How is transit through Abu Dhabi possible with an emirates transit visa?
Transit Visa –
The Emirates Transit Visa for Dubai is issued by the UAE and must be approved and processed before arrival. There are two types of transit visas 48-hour and 96-hours, these emirates transit visas are not eligible for extension.
48-hour Visa: This is a single entry transit visa with a stay permit that remains valid only till 48 hours of stay. This visa requires advance emirates visa application and is not extendable or renewable. Once a 48 hours transit visa has been issued, you cannot extend it for 96 hours.
If you are planning a short-term immediate visit to attend events, corporate meetings, or undertaking stopover e-routes for their journey, this transit visa of 48 hours will be the most suitable. This visa is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. The duration of the stay is limited to 48 hours from the date and time of entry; which means that you have to exit within 48 hours.
48 hours emirates transit visa is available if you have an onward journey from Dubai to any third destination provided that you are not immediately returning to your travel route origin.
96-hours Visa: This is also a single entry transit visa with a stay permit that remains valid till 96-hours of stay. It is ideally suited for visitors planning to stay for 4 days or less. This visa is valid for 30 days only from the date of issue. The duration of the stay is limited to 96 hours from the date and time of entry; which means that you have to exit within 96 hours. This visa requires advance emirates visa application and is not extendable or renewable.
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How to apply for a transit visa?
Before applying for an emirates transit visa online you will have to select the suitable emirates visa type. Based on the duration of your stay, you can choose a type of emirates transit visa that covers your period of stay.
You can apply for an emirates transit visa through the following steps:
- Select your Citizenship Country and your Living Country from the options in the dropbox. After selecting, click on the "Apply Visa for Emirates" tab.
- This will direct you to another window consisting of a list of emirates visa types categorized broadly into ‘Tourist Visas’ and ‘Transit Visa’. Select “Transit Visa” and choose your transit visa type.
- After checking the processing time, visa fees, emirates visa validity, process fees, etc. click “Proceed to Apply”.
- The tab takes you to a general form fill up wherein, you are required to fill in your details and upload the required documents.
- After filling in the details and uploading the required document, click on “Proceed to Pay” and make the payment-visa your preferred payment options available.
Requirements for transit through Abu Dhabi possible with an emirates transit visa:
If you are applying for an emirates transit visa in Dubai, these are the list of documents that you will require:
- BioData Page of your passport: This page includes your demographic details consisting of your passport-sized photo and your personal details.
- Last Page of your passport: Many nationalities have crucial details on the last page of their passport. In case, your nationality does not have any information on the last page of your passport, you can attach the first page.
- Your travel or passport document must have a validity of at least 6 months for you to be eligible to apply for an emirates transit visa.
- Passport-sized photograph: Your passport-sized photos that will be required for official documents must be captured on a white background and must be as recent as 3 months.
- Residence Proof: This transit visa requirement is only applicable if you live in a country that is not you are not a native citizen of, i.e. your nationality and your permanent residency are not the same. In this case, you will have to produce proof of residence or submit your residency visa along with the passport.
- An onward ticket booking to a 3rd destination other than the travel route origin or the place you are coming from.
Abu Dhabi transit restrictions -
If you are transiting through Abu Dhabi COVID-19, you must adhere to these travel restrictions:
- Check the travel requirements by your destination to adhere to the specific departure requirements of your country from where you are traveling to Dubai.
- You will be denied entry to Dubai if you have traveled to South Africa within 14 days of departure to Dubai. The new rule for South Africa remains in effect even if you have transited to other countries within the 14 days.
- Undertaking the COVID-19 PCR tests as litigated by the UAE Immigration laws: The tourists or visitors coming from the countries and territories listed for COVID-19 PCR are mandated to adhere to the test requirements.
- A visa or documental evidence of traveling to any of the following high-risk countries in the last 5 years:
- UAE
- UK
- USA
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Canada
- Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger and Yemen - these countries are not eligible for transit visas.
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Note: Make sure that the copy of the documents for transit visa requirements is not in black and white print as only the colored copy is acceptable. Following these regulations answers your question “is transit through Abu Dhabi possible with an emirates transit visa?”
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