🛂 UAE Transit Visa for Chinese Citizens (2026)
Eligibility, documents and process — plus a free fee calculator on the main /visa page.
Quick answer
Chinese passport holders receive 90 days visa-free entry to the UAE — no advance application required. For longer stays or different purposes, the Transit Visa is available under the standard process described below.
Eligibility for Chinese passport holders
Chinese passport holders receive 90 days visa-free entry within any 180-day period — extended from 30 days in April 2025.
China has a growing expatriate community in the UAE; Chinese tourist arrivals are also rising rapidly since the 2025 visa-free extension.
About the UAE Transit Visa
Short-stay visa for travellers transiting through a UAE airport (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah). Issued in 48-hour and 96-hour formats.
Typical documents
- Passport with at least 6 months validity
- Confirmed onward flight ticket departing the UAE within 48 or 96 hours of arrival
- Confirmed connecting flight on a UAE-based airline (Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia)
- Passport-size photograph
How Chinese citizens typically apply
For tourism, no application is needed. For other visa types like transit visa, applications are routed through the following sponsors:
- Not applicable for tourism — visa-free entry
Nearest UAE diplomatic mission: Beijing (Embassy); Shanghai and Guangzhou (Consulates).
Notes specific to Chinese applicants
- In April 2025 the UAE extended visa-free stays for Chinese citizens from 30 days to 90 days within any 180-day period.
- Chinese passport holders are not eligible for visa-on-arrival at UAE airports, but the 90-day visa-free policy makes this irrelevant for typical visits.
- For visits beyond 90 days, a pre-arranged visa is required.
Common rejection reasons
- Onward ticket date exceeds the transit visa validity window
- Connecting flight not on a UAE-sponsored carrier
- Passport validity below 6 months
- Previous UAE visa violation
Process notes
- Transit visas are sponsored by the UAE-based airline operating the connecting flight.
- Both 48-hour and 96-hour transit visas must be arranged in advance — they cannot be obtained at the airport on arrival.
- The 48-hour transit visa is generally free through UAE-based airlines; the 96-hour transit visa carries a government fee.
- Transit visas are not extendable. For longer stays, apply for a regular tourist visa.
- For an estimate of current fees, use the calculator on the main UAE Visa page.
Get current fees and currency conversion
Visa fees change periodically and are quoted in AED. Use these free tools to estimate costs in your currency:
Planning the move itself?
FAQ
Chinese passport holders receive 90 days visa-free entry within any 180-day period — extended from 30 days in April 2025.
Short-stay visa for travellers transiting through a UAE airport (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah). Issued in 48-hour and 96-hour formats.
A UAE Transit Visa is typically valid for 48 hours or 96 hours from arrival. It cannot be extended; for longer stays, a different visa category is needed.
Typical documents include: Passport with at least 6 months validity; Confirmed onward flight ticket departing the UAE within 48 or 96 hours of arrival; Confirmed connecting flight on a UAE-based airline (Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia); Passport-size photograph. Specific requirements may vary by sponsor and emirate.
Fees vary by visa duration, sponsor, and processing speed. For an up-to-date estimate, use the free UAE Visa Fee Calculator on the main /visa page.