UAE visa information | Etihad Airways

Do I need a visa to visit the UAE?

If you’re eligible for a visa on arrival, or you’re a GCC citizen, you do not need to apply for a visa before you travel to the UAE. If you’re not eligible for a visa on arrival, you will be required to apply for a visa. This also applies if you’re transiting through Abu Dhabi and plan to leave the airport.
If you’re a GCC citizen, you can simply present your passport or national ID card when you arrive in Abu Dhabi; you do not require a visa or permit, or to be sponsored by a UAE national or resident.
If you're visiting the UAE for the first time, you can download the UAE Fast Track app from the App Store or Google Play to easily submit your details before you arrive at the airport and speed up your arrival and departure in the UAE.
All visas are valid for entry into the UAE from the date of issue. Entry into the UAE is subject to the verification of your documents by UAE authorities at the point of entry.
For visas to any destination other than the UAE, we recommend checking the IATA Travel Centre or asking our chat bot for 'travel guidelines..

Valid as of 18/10/2024

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Need a transit visa?

If you’re eligible for a visa on arrival, you don’t need to apply for a visa before you travel to the UAE. If you’re not eligible for a visa on arrival, you will be required to apply for a visa if you are planning to visit the UAE.

Transit visas only permit guests to stay in Abu Dhabi for up to 4 days (96 hours).

For longer stays we recommend contacting a tour operator or your local UAE embassy for alternative ways to apply.

For guests transiting through Zayed International Airport for eight to 48 hours and travelling onward to a third destination from Abu Dhabi.

Valid for entry within: 30 days

Valid for: 48 hours

Number of entries: Single entry

Visa fee: AED 55

Extendable: No

Mandatory requirements
- Completed application form
- 6x6cm photograph in colour (minimum of 600x600 pixels) with a white background (at least 80% of your face should be visible)
- Colour copy of your passport showing your full name, nationality, date and place of birth, passport number, date of issue and expiry, name of father / legal guardian, and the name of your mother
- Valid passport with at least six month’s validity at the time of travel
- Confirmed ticket travelling into Abu Dhabi Airport and onwards from Abu Dhabi to a third destination
Children
- Children under 18 are only eligible to apply for this visa when travelling with their parents holding the same visa type sponsored by Etihad Airways. In addition to the mandatory requirements listed above, you must also submit a birth certificate for your child, in English or Arabic. Translated documents should be attested on the front page.
Dependents
- Dependents are defined as a spouse, children below the age of 18 and parents above the age of 60. You must submit supporting documents that prove the status of the relationship, for example, marriage certificate or birth certificate.
Minors (under 18 years old)
- For minors, including married females under the age of 18:
- Photo ID of parents or husband is required
- Copy of one of the parents’ tourist visa sponsored by Etihad Airways.
- Etihad Airways reserves the rights for sponsorship
- Etihad Airways will not sponsor unaccompanied minors and students
- Females under the age of 18 or students must travel with their parents
- Only machine-readable passports will be accepted (handwritten passports will not be accepted)
Submitting your visa application
- Documents must be submitted in JPEG format only and must not exceed 1MB.
Additional documents
- Depending on your nationality, you may be requested to provide additional documents in support of your visa application. If these documents cannot be provided, the visa application may be rejected. The visa fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
Apply

For guests transiting through Zayed International Airport for eight to 96 hours and travelling onward to a third destination from Abu Dhabi.

Valid for entry within: 30 days

Valid for: 96 hours

Number of entries: Single entry

Visa fee: AED 216

Extendable: No

Mandatory requirements
- Completed application form
- 6x6cm photograph in colour (minimum of 600x600 pixels) with a white background (at least 80% of your face should be visible)
- Colour copy of your passport showing your full name, nationality, date and place of birth, passport number, date of issue and expiry, name of father / legal guardian, and the name of your mother
- Valid passport with at least six month's validity at the time of travel
- Confirmed ticket travelling into Abu Dhabi Airport and onwards from Abu Dhabi to a third destination
Children
- Children under 18 are only eligible to apply for this visa when travelling with their parents holding the same visa type sponsored by Etihad Airways. In addition to the mandatory requirements listed above, you must also submit a birth certificate for your child, in English or Arabic. Translated documents should be attested on the front page.
Dependents
- Dependents are defined as a spouse, children below the age of 18 and parents above the age of 60. You must submit supporting documents that prove the status of the relationship, for example, marriage certificate or birth certificate.
Minors (under 18 years old)
- For minors, including married females under the age of 18:
- Photo ID of parents or husband is required
- Copy of one of the parents’ tourist visa sponsored by Etihad Airways.
- Etihad Airways reserves the rights for sponsorship
- Etihad Airways will not sponsor unaccompanied minors and students
- Females under the age of 18 or students must travel with their parents
- Only machine-readable passports will be accepted (handwritten passports will not be accepted)
Submitting your visa application
- Documents must be submitted in JPEG format only and must not exceed 1MB.
Additional documents
- Depending on your nationality, you may be requested to provide additional documents in support of your visa application. If these documents cannot be provided, the visa application may be rejected. The visa fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
Apply

Apply for a UAE transit visa or track your application

Transit visas take around four business days to be processed, so be sure to apply well in advance of your flight. If you’re eligible for a visa on arrival, there’s no need to apply before you travel. All fees are non-refundable. Ticket rebooking and cancellations will be subject to ticket conditions. We recommend booking a Deluxe fare for the best policy protection.

Please wait at least five days after submitting your application to track the progress of your visa. You’ll need your application and passport numbers.

If you’ve applied for a UAE visa through a travel agent, speak to them to follow up on your application.

Transit visas

Apply

Click here to track application

Get in touch

For UAE transit visas:

+971 60 056 0050
(Available 24/7)

info@visaonline.ae

Transit visas requested via etihad.com can only be used to enter the UAE through Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. All other visas apply to all airports in the UAE.

You are permitted to leave the airport if you have a transit visa. If your transit time is more than 24 hours, you must either arrange a confirmed hotel reservation or provide the Emirates ID card and UAE Residence visa copy of the person you will be staying with in the UAE.

No. If you hold a Diplomatic passport, you must apply for a visa through the diplomatic channel. If you hold a Service passport or Emergency travel documents, please visit the UAE Embassy in your country of residence to apply for a UAE visa before you travel.

The UAE Immigration department requires all visitors to have a passport that is valid for

To enter the UAE, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your date of arrival. If your passport expires before then, you must renew it before applying for a visitor or transit visa.

We recommend that you apply well in advance of your trip. It usually takes three to four business days (Monday to Friday) to process a visa application. Applications will not be processed at the weekend or during UAE public holidays.

Additional credit or debit card fees may apply for online visa applications.

Your visa is valid for entry from the issue date.

All visa applications are processed by the UAE immigration authorities. As an airline, we are unable to provide any information about why a visa application has been rejected.

Entry into the UAE is subject to the verification of your documents at the point of entry.

When you travel with Etihad Airways, you are our Guest. This document uses the reference "Guests" by which we define "passengers"
1. Etihad Airways provides this facility for Etihad Airways, Partner Airlines and any other Airline Guests. Etihad Airways do hereby declare that they have no role whatsoever in the assessment of a visa application, which is the sole prerogative of the Government of UAE / Immigration Department. Therefore, Etihad Airways will not in any manner be liable or responsible for any delay in the processing or rejection of any visa applications.
2. This facility is open for Guests visiting the UAE travelling on Etihad Airways and Partner Airlines, and also to Guests with valid tickets issued by any Airlines and fulfilling the eligibility conditions announced from time to time by the UAE Authorities. 
3. Issuance and approval of a visa is solely regulated by the Government of the UAE and governed by their rules and regulations. These may be amended from time to time. Etihad Airways will sponsor the Guest application subject to Guest fulfilling the eligibility conditions. 
4. Visa fees will not be refunded under any circumstances. 
5. Guests who request a Transit Visa sponsored by Etihad Airways should hold a valid ticket to travel into Abu Dhabi Airport, and onwards from Abu Dhabi Airport. This ticket can be issued by any airline. 
6. Guests who request any type of Tourist Visa sponsored by Etihad Airways should hold a valid ticket to travel into any airport in the UAE, and onwards from any of the airports in the UAE. 
7. Etihad Airways will not be responsible for - and will not be liable for - Guests not being allowed to travel due to being denied boarding, offloading, cancellation of flight, delays and any other cause or circumstances beyond Etihad Airways' control. Etihad Airways shall not be liable in the case of any change in the date of travel not being communicated to us. 
8. The Guest will be required to fill in a Visa Application Form accurately and submit it, along with the applicable visa fees, valid passport and necessary documentation as specified in the Visa Application Form. Guests must hold valid travel documents and comply with the requirements of the Government of UAE / Immigration Authorities. 
9. The decision to grant or refuse a visa is the sole prerogative of the Immigration Authorities and it is final. In case of rejection of visa application, the applicant will be informed of such, no correspondence will be entertained, no visa fees will be refunded and no reasons will be required to be given. It is understood that whenever the processing of the visa application is prevented, delayed, restricted or interfered with for any reasons whatsoever by UAE Immigration Authorities to process Guest visa application, then Etihad Airways shall not be liable to any Guest for any loss or damage which may be suffered as result of such causes and Etihad Airways shall be discharged of all its obligations hereunder. 
10. Issuance of a visa or approval of the visa application does not in any way guarantee the Guest the right to enter UAE. The entry is at the sole discretion of the Immigration officer at the Airport. In case of denial of visa or entry into UAE by the Government, Etihad Airways shall in no way be liable to Guest in any manner whatsoever. 
11. Etihad Airways shall not be liable for any losses or damages which the Guest may suffer, arising from delay in processing or receiving the visa. 
12. The visa is valid as per the Government of UAE / Issuing Authorities' rules and regulations, as amended from time to time. The visa must be used within its period of validity. 
13. Etihad Airways will not be liable to a Guest for any changes or cancellations to Government Regulations that may result in a Guest not being able to travel to or enter the UAE. 
14. Guests will be solely responsible to ensure they fulfil UAE Government requirements for travel, which may include police clearances, medical insurance etc. 
15. Etihad Airways shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that information provided by the Guest in its application form shall remain confidential. However Etihad Airways shall not be liable for any unauthorised access by any means to that information. 
16. Etihad Airways reserves the right to add, alter or vary these Terms and Conditions at any time without notice or liability, and all Guests availing themselves of this facility shall be bound by the same. 
17. Guest expressly declares that they have read and understand these Terms & Conditions and that they are in compliance thereof. 
18. The processed visa will be sent to Guest by email with JPEG or PDF format in attached files. 
19. Guest is responsible for ensuring the information you have provided, including your email address, is accurate. 
20. After receiving visa, Guest must print visa for boarding. 
21. Guests are requested to check their visa is correct, and bring any discrepancy to our notice immediately. 
22. Guest are advised to carefully go through the “Note” printed on your visa for “validity of permit” and “duration of stay”. 
23. Only machine-readable passports will be accepted. Handwritten passports will not be accepted. 
24. Etihad Airways hereby declares that the applicant data collected by us will be used for the intended purpose only, and it will not be shared with any unauthorized person. 
25. Etihad Airways will not be liable for any damages occurred due to discrepancies in visas if Guest does not revert back to us within 24 hours of receiving the visa.

UAE transit visa information

Do I need a visa to visit the UAE?

Eligible list of countries for a visa on arrival

Need a transit visa?

Transit Visa – Single Entry – 48 hours

Transit Visa – Single Entry – 96 Hours

Apply for a UAE transit visa or track your application

Transit visas

Get in touch

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to travel through Zayed International Airport on a Transit Visa?

Can I leave the airport if I have a Transit Visa?

I have a Diplomatic / Service / Emergency passport. Can I apply for a visa through Etihad Airways?

My passport expires soon. Can I still apply for a visa?

How far in advance should I apply for a UAE visa?

Do visa fees include all charges?

When will my visa be valid for entry?

Why has my visa application been rejected?

Am I guaranteed entry into the UAE if I have a visa?

Terms and conditions

Applying for a UAE transit visa with Etihad Airways

UAE transit visa information

Do I need a visa to visit the UAE?

Eligible list of countries for a visa on arrival

Need a transit visa?

Transit Visa – Single Entry – 48 hours

Transit Visa – Single Entry – 96 Hours

Apply for a UAE transit visa or track your application​

Transit visas

Get in touch

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to travel through Zayed International Airport on a Transit Visa?

Can I leave the airport if I have a Transit Visa?

I have a Diplomatic / Service / Emergency passport. Can I apply for a visa through Etihad Airways?

My passport expires soon. Can I still apply for a visa?

How far in advance should I apply for a UAE visa?

Do visa fees include all charges?

When will my visa be valid for entry?

Why has my visa application been rejected?

Am I guaranteed entry into the UAE if I have a visa?

Terms and conditions

Applying for a UAE transit visa with Etihad Airways

Apply for a UAE transit visa or track your application