emirates stopover visa 2026 | apply dubai transit visa online 48 & 96 hours

Emirates Stopover E-Visa Guide 2026: How to Apply Online and Requirements

15-Sep-2025 0 0

Planning a long journey and want to make the most of your stop in Dubai? With an Emirates Stopover E-Visa (also called a Transit Visa), travelers can turn a simple layover into an unforgettable mini-vacation in the UAE. This guide explains everything you need to know about Dubai stopover visas, including eligibility, required documents, validity, fees, and how to apply easily through Emirates Visa Online.

What is a Stopover Flight?

A stopover refers to a planned halt in a country between your origin and final destination. It differs from a layover, which can last just a few hours.

  • Layover: Usually less than 24 hours, often just for changing flights.

  • Stopover: A longer break (more than 24 hours) that allows travelers to explore the stopover city before continuing their journey.

For passengers flying through Dubai with Emirates, a stopover visa gives the perfect opportunity to discover the city’s world-famous attractions, shopping malls, and cultural heritage even in just a few days.

Why Choose an Emirates Stopover Visa in 2026?

A Dubai transit visa transforms your waiting hours into a short holiday. With this visa, you can:

  • Visit Dubai’s landmarks like Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and Palm Jumeirah.

  • Enjoy luxury shopping, cultural sites, and desert adventures.

  • Relax in world-class hotels before resuming your onward journey.

This is ideal for travelers connecting between long-haul flights and wishing to add Dubai to their itinerary.

Types of Emirates Stopover E-Visas

Dubai offers two main types of transit visas for 2026:

  • 48-Hour Transit Visa (h3)

    • Valid for 2 days from entry.

    • Perfect for a short city tour and a night stay.

    • Non-extendable and single entry only.

  • 96-Hour Transit Visa (h3)

    • Valid for 4 days from entry.

    • Ideal for exploring more attractions or attending short business meetings.

    • Non-extendable and single entry only.

⚠️ Note: Stopover visas are not renewable or extendable. If you need a longer stay, you must apply for a tourist visa instead. [Link to Dubai Tourist Visa Article]

Required Documents for a Dubai Stopover Visa

When applying for a 48-hour or 96-hour Emirates transit visa, prepare the following documents:

  • Passport copy (valid for at least 3 months).

  • Recent passport-size photo (white background, full face visible).

  • Confirmed onward ticket to a third destination (different from your origin).

  • Hotel booking in Dubai OR relative’s address details where you will stay.

📌 Tip: Make sure all scans are clear and visible to avoid rejection.

How to Apply for an Emirates Stopover E-Visa Online

Applying online through Emirates Visa Online is quick and hassle-free. The process takes less than 10 minutes:

  1. Visit the official portal: https://emiratesvisaonline.com.

  2. Select your citizenship and living country.

  3. Click on “Apply Emirates Visa”.

  4. Choose Transit Visa (48 or 96 hours).

  5. Fill in the online application form with personal and travel details.

  6. Upload the required documents.

  7. Pay the visa fee securely online.

  8. Receive a confirmation email with your Application ID (useful for tracking your Emirates Visa Status).

Once approved, your visa will be sent directly to your registered email.

Processing Time & Fees

  • Processing time: Typically 24–72 hours.

  • Visa fee: Varies depending on type (48h or 96h). Fees are displayed during application checkout.

  • Validity: Entry must be within 14 days of visa issuance.

Travel Tips for Stopover Visitors

  • Book your airport transfers in advance to save time.

  • Keep copies of your visa approval and onward flight tickets with you.

  • Plan visits to nearby attractions like Dubai Marina or Desert Safari based on your visa duration.

  • If traveling during peak season (like Expo, New Year, or Eid), apply at least 1–2 weeks before departure.

 

Conclusion

An Emirates Stopover E-Visa in 2026 is the smartest way to make your Dubai layover memorable. Whether you choose a quick 48-hour transit visa or a 96-hour short stay, you can experience the highlights of Dubai without altering your long-haul travel plans. Apply today at Emirates Visa Online for a smooth and secure visa process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, after you have fulfilled all the requirements of the Emirates transit visa. You can leave the transit zone with an approved Emirates transit visa. The process of acquiring a transit visa for Emirates is now more simple. Check where you need to get Emirates Visa for transit, tourism, and other purposes or not. When you are flying through national airlines of UAE like Emirates airlines or Dubai fly you can get a stopover visa through your airlines.

No, there is no need to cancel your Emirates transit visa if it is not used or still valid. The validity of Emirates transit visas is comparatively shorter than other visas. It will expire soon, therefore, you can apply for a new visa or leave the country without canceling it. Cancelation of Emirates residence visas must be done by expatriates who want to leave the country permanently. 

Passengers flying through international flights can plan a stopover in Dubai. Currently, Dubai has organized the 2020 Dubai expo, which is a great event. You can attend Dubai expo 2020 is staying in the country for a long stopover. Visit Al Shindagha Museum to get along the vibrant history, reverent tradition, culture, and historic water of Dubai creek. See the world's tallest tower, Burj Khalifa, in the mini-tour to Dubai during transit. Dubai is known for luxury cars and shopping you can visit Dubai Mall and other shopping malls. Visit Dubai beaches, you can also plan a desert safari tour if you have enough time. Dubai museum is the underground museum located at Al fahidi fort. You should visit this museum if you want to take a look at old Dubai and to visit one of the oldest buildings. If you are tired of your long flight then you can also rest in a nearby luxury and 5 stars hotel in Dubai with a transit visa.

Yes, after you have fulfilled all the requirements of the Emirates transit visa. You can leave the transit zone with an approved Emirates transit visa. The process of acquiring a transit visa for Emirates is now more simple. Check where you need to get Emirates Visa for transit, tourism, and other purposes or not. When you are flying through national airlines of UAE like Emirates airlines or Dubai fly you can get a stopover visa through your airlines.

Passengers traveling to Dubai from the UK with a valid passport must present negative RT PCR test results. The COVID test must be negative and taken 48 hours before their visit to Dubai. Certificate UK nationals will be showing should be RT PCR certificate with QR code. 

A stopover visa for Emirates is required for some foreign nationals. Visitors who have a stopover in Dubai and Sharjah are only required to apply for visas to stay more than 8 hours. Any intention of leaving the Emirates transit zone, stopover more than 8 hours, and leaving the airport. Applicants who are not in UAE visa-free countries have to get a transit visa for a stopover.

It depends on your choice and requirements whether you want an Emirates transit visa for a stopover or not. If you have enough time gap between your flight then you should leave the airport to enter Dubai. If the time gap for the next flight is just a few hours. Then you will also get many things to engage in at the airport in Dubai. For long transit hours, you can enter Dubai and enjoy a short tour. Visit some beautiful places explore tourist places and stay in the hotel until your next flight from Dubai airport.

The time you are allowed to stay in Dubai international airport Transit area depends on your Nationality. But mostly the maximum duration is between 8 to 10 hours only.

Yes, you can meet friends and visit relatives if you want. Take the transit visa first to legally enter Dubai and stay until the validity ends. At the same time, it is also possible to visit tourist places in Dubai. You can only attend guests and friends outside the Dubai airport. As outsiders who do not have flight tickets can not enter the transit zone of Dubai airport. If you are planning to meet then apply for an Emirates transit visa.

The stay in Dubai can be 48 hours, which means you will be able to visit or enter the country for two days. Another visa allows visitors to stay in Dubai for 96 hours which is the longer validity visa for transit purposes. 

The stopover e-visa is the transit Emirates visa. The main purpose of anyone applying for Emirates transit e-visa is that they have a stopover in UAE or want to stay for a few hours. This short-term transit visa service was initiated by the United Arab Emirates to make the process easier and fast.

The 96 house stopover visa cost USD 120 for UAE. The 48 hour Dubai visa for stopover costs around USD 70. 

If you do not have a transit visa for Emirates then you will be asked not to leave the transition area. You can not go through immigration points without an Emirates transit visa. You can catch the next flight after a short stopover in Dubai without having a transit visa. A transit visa is not required most of the time by foreign countries unless you have to enter the country for any reason.

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