Are you planning to visit Dubai for a short duration? In case you are planning the visit for the shortest duration, we will process your emirates transit visa as quickly as possible! Based on the purpose of your stay, there are many types of visas issued by the government but an emirates transit visa gives you ample amount of visiting hours within the shortest duration. However, have you ever wondered what happens if I don’t have an emirates transit visa? Well, here’s how we can help you determine what you can do if you do not have an 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 the country’s territory.

What happens if I don’t have an emirates transit visa?

Do I need a transit visa for Dubai?

Emirates transit visas are required by those who are not eligible for an emirates visa on arrival or visa-free entry to UAE. If you have a layover of more than 8 hours and have to visit Dubai for the shortest duration, then a transit visa is the right visa type for you. 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 through emirates visa application.

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What can I do if I don’t have an emirates transit visa?

If you do not have an emirates transit visa, you are required to be inside the airport for less than 8 hours only. Inside the airport, only 8 transit free hours are allowed. Staying at the airport, you will be provided with a lot of services for your valuable time spent in the airport. According to the visa policies, you will not be required to have an emirates transit visa if you are staying for a transit period of less than 8 hours.

However, if you do not have an emirates transit visa, you must be stamped with OK to Board which is verified by your airlines. You are not required to leave the airport but you still need permission to be in the airport during the layovers. This permission will allow you to transit within the UAE airports.

Some countries can leave and enter Dubai without any visa, these countries come under the category of GCC. But if your country is not under the visa-free countries, you will have to avail Dubai transit visa COVID-19 during your transit through Dubai. This can happen if you apply for an emirates visa on arrival or before arrival. Obtaining a visa on arrival is viable only for a few countries, the rest of the countries are not eligible to obtain a visa on arrival.

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How to leave the airport if I don’t have an emirates transit visa?

If you are not eligible for a visa on arrival, then you can still avail 96-hour emirates transit visa if you have landed in Dubai provided that you meet these requirements to avail 96-hour visa:

If you are applying for an emirates transit visa in Dubai, these are the list of emirates visa requirements:

•       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.

Emirates transit restrictions - If you are transiting through Dubai 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.

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. So What happens if I don’t have an emirates transit visa is what you are worried about then, we have got you covered, you need not worry!

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