Dubai attracts millions of visitors every year luring them with its tall skyscrapers and rich cultural legacy. Most visitors to Dubai need a visa to enter the UAE. Before you travel, you need to know which kind of a visa you need. It’s especially important to know the difference between a tourist visa and a transit visa as a visitor. Read on as we explain what the two types of visas are so you know which one to acquire.
Choosing Between Transit and Tourist Visas
You’ll need either a Dubai tourist visa or a Dubai transit visa to land in the city. Let’s see how the two differ to know which one you need.
What Is a Transit Visa?
With a transit visa, you can pass through Dubai. Specifically, it’s meant for those who need a stopover in Dubai enroute to another destination. Such visas are valid only for a short duration—between 48 and 96 hours.
Who Needs a Transit Visa?
You’ll need a transit visa when:
- You need to make a layover in Dubai
- Your layover is of more than 24 hours
- You are from a nation that’s not exempted from needing a visa to enter the UAE
How You Should Apply for a Transit Visa?
You only need to go through a simple process to apply for a transit visa. Here are the details.
- Check If You Need One: you might not need a transit visa at all if you are of certain exempted nationalities. Also, you might be exempted from having to acquire a transit visa if you stop in the UAE only for a short duration depending on your nationality.
- Collect the Necessary Documents: a passport with a validity of at least 6 months from the date of travel is a must. Apart from that, you’ll need to furnish your flight itinerary and sometimes, your hotel booking as well. You’ll also need to submit two recently taken passport sized photographs.
- Submit the Application: you can file your application through airlines or embassies.
- Pay the Fee: you’ll need to pay the fee which varies depending on your visa’s duration.
What Is a Tourist Visa?
You’ll need to apply for a tourist visa if you wish to explore Dubai as a tourist. With a tourist visa, you can stay in Dubai longer than you’re allowed to with a transit visa. Tourist visas, in most cases, are valid for 30 days. Occasionally, they can be extended as well. If you need to stay back longer than you had planned to, make sure to extend your visa before it expires.
Who Needs a Tourist Visa?
You’ll need a tourist visa if:
- You intend to explore Dubai as a tourist
- You plan to stay longer than a typical transit visa allows one to
- You belong to a country that’s not on the UAE’s visa exempted list
How You Can Apply for a Tourist Visa?
You shall need to go through a few steps when you apply for a tourist visa.
- Decide on the Visa Type: choose between the 30 day visa and the 90 day visa depending on how long you plan to explore Dubai and the UAE
- Prepare the Documents: you’ll need to furnish certain documents including your passport, photographs and an itinerary of your stay in the UAE.
- Submit Your Application: you can submit your application through airlines or through travel agencies. You may also do so online. You may choose us at Travel Saga. Arranging Dubai tourist visas is a part of our international visit visa services.
- Pay the Fee: you’ll now need to pay the fee which depends on how long you plan to stay and which visa type you need
The Major Differences Between Transit and Tourist Visas
When you understand how the two differ, you can know which to apply for even better. Here’s how the two differ.
- Duration of Stay
Transit Visa: not more than 96 hours
Tourist Visa: 30 days in most cases with the option of extension available
- Purpose of Visit
Transit Visa: only for brief stopovers
Tourist Visa: for exploring Dubai and the UAE for tourism purposes
- Application Process
Transit Visa: quick and easy mostly through airlines
Tourist Visa: a lengthy process that requires detailed documentation and long planning. You may need professional help from experts like us at Travel Saga, a leading travel agency in Dubai.
When Should You Choose a Transit Visa?
You’ll need a transit visa to Dubai when:
- Your layover is brief
- You needn’t stay in Dubai for longer than 96 hours
- Dubai is only a stopover enroute to some other destination
When You Should Choose a Tourist Visa
You should apply for a tourist visa when:
- You arrive to explore Dubai as a tourist
- You intend to stay pretty long, around 30 days
- You plan to visit Dubai to meet friends and family
The Costs Involved
There are costs involved in acquiring the visas and there are differences.
- Transit Visa: since they allow only a brief stopover, they cost you only around AED 100
- Tourist Visa: depending on how long you intend to stay, the cost may vary from AED 300 to AED 1000
FAQs
Is switching from transit visa to tourist visa possible?
No, it isn’t. You can’t do so when you’re in Dubai. You’ll need to leave the UAE and then apply for a fresh tourist visa.
How am I to know if I’m allowed visa free entry?
Check the official UAE government website or confirm with the airlines to see if your country is visa exempted.
Are transit visas extendable?
No, transit visas can’t be extended. You’ll have to reapply for a tourist visa if you need to stay back in Dubai for longer than 96 hours.
Conclusion
Your travel plans decide whether you need a transit visa or a tourist visa. You can do it with a transit visa if you only need to make a stopover in Dubai. To explore the city, you’ll need a tourist visa. Decide on your itinerary and stay duration before choosing the visa type. Since visa policies keep changing, keep checking the latest regulations. You can approach us at Travel Saga, top travel agency in Dubai if you need assistance. We’ll be more than happy to help. Happy travelling!
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