Transit visa procedure to exit airports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah
Airline transit passengers travelling with a stopover at Dubai Airport (or other UAE airport) who do not leave the terminal building not needed a UAE visa since they are not entering the UAE. Citizens of UAE free arrival visa countries do not need to pre-arrange any visa whether they are in transit or travelling to Dubai as a destination.
Any other passenger who does want to exit the airport will need a UAE entry permit. By exit, we mean anyone who wants to go through passport control. A 96 hour transit visa is available to visitors to the UAE. Remember also that different emirates in the UAE might have different ways of implementing immigration rules. You can obtain a 96 hour transit visa in one of the following ways:
Pre-apply through the airline, travel agent, or UAE hotel that you are booked with. None of them are likely to arrange a transit visa for you unless you are a customer.
Obtain one on arrival in Dubai at the Marhaba services counter in Terminal 1, or the Emirates Hotels and Visas for Dubai desk in Terminal 3. This is not guaranteed, as the granting of the visa is subject to Dubai immigration department approval. You will need to buy at least one night in a Dubai hotel from Marhaba or Emirates to be issued a transit visa.
Citizens of the following countries are not eligible for the 96 hours visa on arrival: Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger, and Yemen.
