Get Your UAE Visa Through Etihad (2026): Eligibility, Prices & Procedure

Planning a trip to the land of 'eternal' sunshine? Featuring beaches, deserts, futuristic buildings and dozens of different nationalities, the UAE is on the bucket list of thousands of tourists across the globe. There is no random reason behind the love and excitement international tourists feel as they plan a trip to this country. If you are also one of them, this guide is surely going to make your experience more seamless. One of the first steps of planning for an international destination is understanding the visa procedure. You need to check if you are eligible for to travel to the UAE visa free or visa on arrival. If this is not the case, apply for the UAE visa through Etihad, the national airline of the country.

Etihad is one of the best airlines, both regionally and internationally. It effortlessly connects Zayed International Airport (AUH) to scores of cities in different continents, making it easier for tourists to explore the beautiful UAE, starting from its capital Emirate 'Abu Dhabi'.

If you just checked and found that you need to apply for a visa for UAE, please keep in mind that you cannot submit your application directly to the immigration department. There are three options: apply through airlines, apply through hotels, or apply through travel agencies. Etihad is one of the three UAE airlines involved in facilitating UAE visas for transit travellers. But in order to use Etihad, you must book your flights from Etihad. There are a couple of UAE Transit Visas to choose from and both of them offer single-entry access only. You can stay for 48 hours or 96 hours in the UAE, and leave carrying a lot of pleasant memories and great gifts. From required documents to the application process and tips to avoid UAE visa rejections, this guide to applying for UAE visa through Etihad has all the details.

What Types of UAE Visas Does Etihad Facilitate?

Though there are at least five different UAE tourist visas, ranging from single-entry and multiple-entry visas for 30 days and 60 days and a 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa, Etihad is not facilitating any of these. Instead, the UAE's national airline is busy handling UAE Transit Visas to make the experience of different transfer passengers at Abu Dhabi Airport more comfortable. One of the transit visas remains valid for 48 hours and the other for 96 hours.

But do you need to arrange a transit visa if you have a layover at the airport? Not necessarily. Only if you have plans to venture out of the airport's transit area, you need the visa. To apply for the visa through Etihad, just submit your completed application form, a colour photograph, and a copy of your passport. You definitely need a confirmed ticket to Abu Dhabi and further to a third destination.

Do I Need a UAE Transit Visa?

Since Etihad is currently handling UAE transit visas only, let's not discuss other types of visas, such as tourist visas valid for 30 days or 60 days. Coming to the question, do you need a UAE transit visa? Not all the time. If you have a layover in Abu Dhabi, it is not necessary to arrange a UAE transit visa of 48 hours or 96 hours validity, unless you are interested in getting out of the airport's transit area and exploring the capital Emirate.

If this is not the case, you mostly do not need a transit visa.

But Abu Dhabi is beautiful, culturally rich, and a true melting pot of cultures. Plus, the Emirate is easily connected to other parts of the UAE, such as Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Sharjah. You can also find Al Ain, a scenic and historic garden city, in the Abu Dhabi Emirate itself. Just get yourself a cab, Uber, Careem, bus or complimentary shuttle and you are all set for sightseeing. Therefore, it is highly recommended to get yourself a transit visa.

What Documents are Usually Required for UAE Transit Visa?

Though the list of documents required for a UAE Transit Visa could vary from person to person and nationality to nationality, some of the most common ones required are a colour photograph and a copy of passport. Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months at the time of travel. You also need to provide a confirmed ticket to Abu Dhabi and further to a third destination to apply for your transit visa. For better clarity on all the necessary documents, please contact your airline on their official phone number or email address.

How to Apply for UAE Transit Visa Through Etihad?

Etihad has kept the process quite simple. You need to get on Etihad's UAE Visa Platform and apply for a UAE Transit Visa in a handful of steps. It does not matter if you need a visa offering you access to the country for 48 hours or one that has 96 hours in the room. The process remains almost the same for both.

1. Provide general information

2. Attach necessary documents

3. Examine

4. Make the payment

These are the four steps of applying for a UAE Transit Visa through Etihad in 2026. The list of general information applicants often need to provide includes:

- trip details, such as coming from, arrival date and time, departure date and time, booking reference number and transit port

- applicant information, such as full name, birth country, nationality, religion, marital status, email and visit reason

- passport details, such as passport type, number, issue place, issue date and expiry date

- addresses outside the UAE

- the amount of money you intend to spend during your stay in the UAE

- if you plan to seek employment during your visit.

How to Apply for UAE Visa for Kids and Dependents?

If there are other people accompanying you on this layover in Abu Dhabi, such as children, minors and dependents, there are some rules that Etihad needs you to pay attention to. These are not really confusing or tedious tasks to accomplish. You can finish all of these formalities in a matter of minutes and get back your UAE packing checklist. Take a look at the bullet points for better clarity on the situation.

1. Children and Minors

If your children or minors (including unmarried females under the age of 18) are accompanying you on this trip, you can apply for the same UAE visa type as yours and include a birth certificate in English and Arabic. Please make sure to attest translated documents on the first page itself.

- parent or husband's photograph necessary

- copy of parents' tourist visa sponsored by Etihad

- no sponsorship of unaccompanied minors and students from Etihad

- females under 18 years or students must accompany their parents

- passports need to be machine-readable

2. Dependents

Dependents are defined as a spouse, a child under the age of 18 years, and parents older than 60 years. To apply for your UAE transit visa through Etihad, you need to submit supporting documents, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate, to prove the status of your relationship. It is quite important.

What is the Estimated Processing Time for UAE Visas?

UAE Transit Visas applied through Etihad typically take around four business days to be processed. Please track the progress of the application after at least five days. You need to use your passport number and application number to track. But if you sought the help of a travel agent, please contact the person for better clarity.

How to Add Abu Dhabi Stopover to the Experience?

Etihad's 'Abu Dhabi Stopover' is a complimentary Abu Dhabi escape. You can break up a long journey to include a stopover at the UAE capital and get a complimentary stay in one of the best hotels in Abu Dhabi or nearby Al Ain for a couple of nights. Sounds great, right?

There are plenty of amazing things to do in Abu Dhabi all year round, starting from exploring Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi to indulging in shopping, thrilling rides on Yas Island, desert safaris, beach clubs and leisurely strolls. You are not going to be disappointed. From architectural attractions to adrenaline-pumping adventures, Abu Dhabi offers meaningful and memorable experiences to people of all ages and preferences. You can have a transit visa of 48 hours or 96 hours, and Abu Dhabi is going to help you make every second count. Therefore, book Etihad's Abu Dhabi Stopover at all costs.

To book Abu Dhabi Stopover from Etihad:

1. Book a return Etihad flight connecting in Abu Dhabi

2. Add your hotel stay

3. Once your hotel is booked, get a voucher to present at check-in

In the beginning of this guide, you came across a simple question: Do I need a UAE transit visa? You are already at the conclusion and it seems this question has already been addressed, among other queries, too. Many people have layovers in Abu Dhabi and a good number of them apply for the UAE transit visa through Etihad, the national airline of the country. Starting from smoother visa processing to additional perks, Etihad is a top choice for thousands of passengers. Hope this guide has been useful in addressing some of your doubts. If you are still confused about some situations, take a look at the FAQs attached next or ask your airline. During peak tourist seasons in the UAE, the visa processing time could get affected. Therefore, apply for your appropriate visa as early as possible so that you don't miss out.

FAQs

1. When should I apply for UAE transit visa?

If you need a UAE transit visa as you feel like venturing out of Zayed International Airport's transit area to explore Abu Dhabi, book the service as early as possible. Your transit duration should be at least eight hours and both your arrival and departure need to be through Abu Dhabi Airport only, regardless of the selected airline for your flight booking.

2. Can I still apply for a transit visa if I arrive through Abu Dhabi Airport but need to depart from another Emirate's airport?

No, your arrival and departure need to happen through AUH only for your transit visa to be valid.

3. What is the minimum passport validity for UAE transit visa through Etihad?

Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months on the date of your travel.

4. If the transit duration at Zayed International Airport is less than 8 hours, can I still apply for a UAE transit visa?

For layovers shorter than 8 hours at Abu Dhabi Airport, there is no transit visa option.

5. Can I remain inside the airport during transit even if I have not applied for a transit visa and I have no intention of exiting the hub?

If you have booked an Etihad flight ticket and your layover in Abu Dhabi ranges from 8 to 24 hours, and you are not carrying any luggage, you can stay at the airport until your next flight and there is no need to apply for a transit visa for this. But if you have a flight from another airline, it is necessary to contact them beforehand and get all your queries addressed.