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Updated January 2025

Key takeaways

A transit visa is needed only if you plan to leave the airport.

Transit visas are available for 48 or 96 hours but must be applied for in advance.

The application requires a valid passport, a photo, and an onward ticket via Etihad Airways.

Table of Contents

What are the rules for transiting through Abu Dhabi?

The following are the rules to keep in mind while transiting through Abu Dhabi in terms of transit visa:

You will not require a visa if you do not plan to leave the airport. There are plenty of activities and facilities to enjoy at Zayed International Airport if you decide to stay inside.
You will require a transit visa only under the following circumstance:
- You plan to leave the airport.
  - The duration of a transit visa is either 48 hours or 96 hours. Please keep in mind that neither is extendable.
  - The transit visa for Abu Dhabi can only be applied for in advance through Etihad Airways or agent.
- You are not a citizen of a nation that can get UAE visa on arrival. In this case, you will need to apply for transit visa ahead of your journey.

How do I get a transit visa for Abu Dhabi?

Requirements

The following are the basic documents needed to apply for a transit visa for Abu Dhabi through Etihad Airways:

Completed application form
6x6cm photograph in colour (minimum of 600×600 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

Depending on your nationality, you may be requested to provide additional documents in support of your visa application.

If you intend to stay for longer than 24 hours, you may be required to 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.

Application process

Please note that to obtain a transit visa in Abu Dhabi, you must have a ticket from one of the following Etihad Airways as it a

For Etihad Airways, you can apply for a UAE visa via the Etihad visa page. Note that transit visas requested via Etihad website can only be used to enter the UAE through Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.

Hover over to “Apply now” for the duration that you want
Fill in the information, proceed to uploading documents, and make payment
- 48 hours (valid for entry within 30 days) – AED 55
- 96 hours (valid for entry within 30 days) – AED 216