48-hour Transit Visa: This visa is issued to travellers whose layover is between 8 to 48 hours. It is a single-entry transit visa. You'll need to apply for the transit visa for Indians in advance. 96-hour Transit Visa: The Dubai 96-hour visa is issued to travellers whose layover in Dubai is between 8 to 96 hours.

To be eligible for a transit visa in Dubai in 2026, your layover must typically be at least 8 hours. If your layover is shorter than this, you are generally expected to stay within the airport's transit area. For those with a layover of 8 to 96 hours, you can apply for a 48-hour or 96-hour transit visa through your airline (like Emirates or flydubai). It is important to note that for certain nationalities, such as Indian passport holders without a U.S. or UK visa, the requirement to exit the airport and obtain a transit visa applies if the layover exceeds 4 hours. In 2026, many travelers with long layovers utilize the "Dubai Connect" service provided by Emirates, which often includes a complimentary transit visa, hotel stay, and meals if your connection time falls within the qualifying 8-to-26-hour window.