# Do you need a visa for a Dubai layover?

You need no visa to change planes at Dubai International Airport (DXB) without leaving the transit area. To leave, UK, US, Canadian, Australian and EU passports get a free 90-day visa on arrival, and Irish passports 30 days. Indian passports need a visa arranged before landing.

- Web page: https://dubailayover.com/visa-and-transit/
- Guide: [Dubai Layover](https://dubailayover.com/), an independent layover guide to Dubai International Airport (DXB), part of City Layover
- Updated 7 November 2026; facts checked 7 November 2026

## Short answer

No visa is needed to change planes at Dubai airport without passing immigration. To leave, UK, US, Canadian, Australian and EU passports get a free 90-day visa on arrival, and Irish passports 30 days. Indian passports need a visa arranged before landing: a 48 or 96-hour transit visa through a UAE airline, or, with a US visa or green card or residence in the UK, the EU and some other countries, the UAE's 14-day visa for AED 100. Your passport needs 6 months' validity to enter, or 3 months to transit.

## At a glance

- **UK, US, Canadian, Australian, EU**: Free visa on arrival, 90 days
- **Irish passports**: Free visa on arrival, 30 days
- **Transit visa**: 48 or 96 hours, through a UAE airline; Emirates US$10 or US$49
- **Indian passports**: Visa before landing; 14-day visa AED 100 with US, UK or EU residence
- **Passport validity**: 6 months to enter, 3 months to transit
- **Emirates Dubai Connect**: Free hotel and 48-hour visa, 6 to 26-hour connections

## If you stay airside

Most international connections at Dubai International Airport (DXB) don't involve passport control. On one ticket you collect the boarding pass for your onward flight at the transfer desks, says Dubai Airports, and follow the signs to your gate. In Terminal 3 you can walk between the B and C gates and take the airport train to the A gates; Terminal 1's D gates are a short train ride away.

Your passport must have an expiry date at least 3 months after the date you transit, says the UK government. No official limit on how long you can stay in the transit area is published; the airside DXB Hotel's stays end at 24 hours.

## If you want to leave the airport

| Passport | What you need |
| --- | --- |
| UK | A free visit visa on arrival, up to 90 days in any 180 (UK FCDO); passport valid 6 months from arrival |
| US | A visa on arrival, up to 90 days in any 180 (US State Department); passport valid 6 months from entry |
| Canada | A free tourist visa on arrival, 90 days in any 180 (Government of Canada); passport valid 6 months from entry |
| Australia | A tourist visa on arrival (Smartraveller), 90 days on Emirates' list; passport valid more than 6 months |
| EU and Schengen, except Ireland | A free 90-day visa on arrival (Emirates' list); "Visa Free" for the UAE's foreign ministry |
| Ireland | A free 30-day visa on arrival (Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs) |
| India | A visa arranged before landing (below) |

Emirates publishes the UAE's lists: a free 30-day visa on arrival for 13 passports including Ireland's, and a free "multiple entry 90‑day visit visa" for the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, every other EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, among others. The UAE's own rule is that passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. If your passport isn't on either list, you need a visa arranged before landing, says the UAE Government portal. Smartraveller adds that Australian passports with XX in the birth date or an X sex marker are refused. Dubai Airports' FAQ adds that "certain nationalities can get a visa on arrival if the transit time is longer than 8 hours" without naming them, so confirm with your airline.

### Transit visa

The UAE issues a transit visa for either 48 or 96 hours. It is single entry and can't be extended, says the UAE Government portal. GDRFA Dubai says to apply through an approved airline, for AED 50 plus the airline's fee, with a passport valid at least six months and an onward ticket.

Emirates sells both for travel on its own flights: the 48-hour visa for US$10 and the 96-hour visa, valid 4 days from arrival, for US$49. Apply through Manage your booking, which Emirates says takes about 3 to 4 working days, or at its visa office in Terminal 3 arrivals, open 24 hours.

### Indian passports

Since 25 June 2026, ICP, the UAE's immigration authority, gives Indian passport holders a 14-day or 60-day visa if they hold a valid visa, residence permit or green card from the US, the EU or the UK, or a residence permit from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore or New Zealand. The 14-day visa costs AED 100 and can be extended once; the 60-day visa costs AED 250 and can't. ICP's online service adds a AED 100 smart-services fee. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Emirates sells the same permit through Manage your booking, for US$63 (14 days) or US$141.36 (60 days).

The UAE's foreign ministry calls it a visa on arrival, but ICP's service is an online application, so arrange it before you fly. Without one of those residences or visas, an Indian passport needs a transit visa (above) or a visit visa.

## If you're on separate tickets

You pass the border. Dubai Airports says passengers on separate tickets must clear passport control, collect their bags and check in for the connecting flight. Without a UAE visa, ask Marhaba Services at the transfer desk to move your bags, for a fee. Make sure you can enter the UAE on your passport before you book separate tickets.

## At the border

Dubai Airports publishes no immigration queue times. This guide allows about an hour from landing to sitting on the metro, its own allowance, not an official figure. Visa-on-arrival passengers with biometric passports can use the Smart Gates, says Dubai Airports, and the GDRFA visa office is in Terminal 3 arrivals near Entrance 1, open 24 hours.

## Emirates Dubai Connect

Dubai Connect is Emirates' free service for a long wait between Emirates flights: a hotel, transfers, applicable meals and a 48-hour visa. Its terms set the rules:

- **The connection** must be at least 6 hours and no more than 26, and the shortest available on your route.
- **The fare** must be at least US$450 one-way or US$700 return, on one Emirates ticket, with both flights operated by Emirates.
- **The passport** must be valid for at least 6 months.
- **Booking.** Emirates' page says to add it at least 12 hours ahead, but its conditions say Emirates can only accept bookings made at least 24 hours before the flight to Dubai leaves, and that it's subject to availability. Book 24 hours ahead to be safe.
- **On arrival**, go to the Dubai Connect desk in Arrivals. If your passport needs a visa, Emirates asks for it to be arranged at least 48 hours before arrival.
- **The hotel** is the Copthorne Hotel Dubai, the Le Méridien Airport Hotel Dubai, the JW Marriott Marquis or another of Emirates' choosing.

Under 18s can use it when travelling with someone over 18. For a longer stay, Emirates' Dubai Stopover adds a hotel to your booking, with packages of 2 nights or more.

## Before you go landside

Carry your passport and your onward boarding pass. Left luggage is on the arrivals level of each terminal, landside, open 24 hours. Be back at Dubai International 90 minutes before departure; Dubai Airports recommends three hours if you still need to check in. How to reach the city: [getting into the city](https://dubailayover.com/getting-to-the-city/).

## Questions people ask

### Do I need a visa to change planes at Dubai airport?

No, if you stay in the transit area on one ticket: you collect your onward boarding pass at the transfer desks and don't pass immigration. Your passport must have an expiry date at least 3 months after the date you transit, says the UK government.

### Do Indian passport holders need a visa for a Dubai layover?

Not to stay airside. To leave the airport, yes, arranged before landing. With a valid US visa or green card, or residence in the UK, the EU, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore or New Zealand, the UAE's 14-day visa costs AED 100 (ICP, June 2026). Otherwise, a 48 or 96-hour transit visa through your UAE airline.

### Do US citizens need a visa to leave Dubai airport on a layover?

No. US passport holders get a visa on arrival for up to 90 days in any 180, says the US State Department. The passport needs 6 months' validity beyond the date of entry, and the 12-page emergency passport isn't accepted.

### Do Australians need a visa for a Dubai layover?

No. Australian passports get a visa on arrival, says Smartraveller, with more than six months' validity; Emirates' list gives 90 days. Passports with XX in the birth date or an X sex marker are refused.

### Can I change planes at Dubai airport on separate tickets?

Yes, but you pass the border. Dubai Airports says passengers on separate tickets must clear passport control, collect their bags and check in for the connecting flight, so you need permission to enter the UAE. Without a visa, ask Marhaba Services at the transfer desk to move your bags, for a fee.

### What does a Dubai transit visa cost?

GDRFA Dubai charges AED 50 plus the airline's fee, and you apply through the airline. Emirates sells a 48-hour transit visa for US$10 and a 96-hour one for US$49, for travel on Emirates. Both are single entry and can't be extended.

### Does Emirates give a free hotel and visa on a long layover?

Through Dubai Connect, for connections of 6 to 26 hours when that's the shortest connection on the route and the fare is at least US$450 one-way: a free hotel, transfers, meals and a 48-hour visa. Book at least 24 hours before your flight to Dubai leaves.

## Sources (checked 7 November 2026)

- [Emirates: UAE visa information, visa on arrival and transit visas (checked 7 Nov 2026)](https://www.emirates.com/us/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/uae-visa-information/)
- [UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: visa exemptions (checked 7 Nov 2026)](https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/visa-exemptions-for-non-citizen)
- [UAE Government portal: transit visa (checked 7 Nov 2026)](https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Types-of-visas/transit-visa)
- [GDRFA Dubai: transit visa (checked 7 Nov 2026)](https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/ee043e3c-5c61-11ea-0320-0050569629e8)
- [ICP: UAE entry visa for Indian and other nationals, 25 Jun 2026](https://icp.gov.ae/en/media-center/icp-expands-eligibility-for-uae-entry-visa-for-nationals-of-certain-countries/)
- [ICP: 14-day entry visa service (checked 7 Nov 2026)](https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=68e3532c5ae59b0011738404)
- [UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: visa on arrival announcement, 25 Jun 2026](https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/mediahub/news/2026/6/25/uae-grants-visa-on-arrival)
- [UK FCDO: UAE entry requirements (checked 7 Nov 2026)](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates/entry-requirements)
- [US Department of State: UAE entry requirements (checked 7 Nov 2026)](https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/united-arab-emirates.html)
- [Government of Canada: UAE entry requirements (checked 7 Nov 2026)](https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-arab-emirates)
- [Smartraveller: United Arab Emirates (checked 7 Nov 2026)](https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/middle-east/united-arab-emirates)
- [Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs: United Arab Emirates (checked 7 Nov 2026)](https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/advice/united-arab-emirates/)
- [Dubai Airports: transfers (checked 7 Nov 2026)](https://dubaiairports.ae/information/transfers)
- [Dubai Airports: immigration and visas (checked 7 Nov 2026)](https://dubaiairports.ae/information/immigration-visas)
- [Dubai Airports: FAQs (checked 7 Nov 2026)](https://dubaiairports.ae/faqs)
- [Emirates: Dubai Connect (checked 7 Nov 2026)](https://www.emirates.com/us/english/before-you-fly/dubai-international-airport/dubai-connect/)
- [Emirates: Dubai Connect terms and conditions](https://www.emirates.com/us/english/before-you-fly/dubai-international-airport/dubai-connect/terms-and-conditions/)
- [Emirates: Dubai Stopover (checked 7 Nov 2026)](https://www.emirates.com/us/english/discover-dubai/dubai-stopover/)
- [Dubai International Hotel: important notice (checked 7 Nov 2026)](https://www.dihdxb.ae/important-notice)