🛂 UAE Transit Visa for Sri Lankan Citizens (2026)
Eligibility, documents and process — plus a free fee calculator on the main /visa page.
Quick answer
Sri Lankan passport holders are not eligible for UAE visa-on-arrival. A pre-arranged Transit Visa is required before travel, obtainable through an airline, licensed travel agency, or UAE-based sponsor.
Eligibility for Sri Lankan passport holders
Sri Lankan passport holders are not eligible for visa-on-arrival. A pre-arranged visa is required.
Sri Lanka has a significant expatriate community in the UAE.
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 Sri Lankan citizens typically apply
Applications for Sri Lankan passport holders are typically routed through the following authorized channels:
- Licensed Sri Lankan travel agencies
- Emirates Airlines
- UAE-based sponsor
Nearest UAE diplomatic mission: Colombo (Embassy).
Notes specific to Sri Lankan applicants
- Sri Lanka is on the UAE's mandatory Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) list for residence visa applications (effective April 2026).
- Tourist visas are typically offered in 30-day and 90-day single-entry variants.
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
Sri Lankan passport holders are not eligible for visa-on-arrival. A pre-arranged visa is required.
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.
Yes. Sri Lanka is on the UAE's mandatory PCC list for residence visa applications (effective April 2026). The PCC must be attested before submission.
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.