Only if you leave the airport. South Africans don't need a visa for a Dubai layover as long as they stay airside — including moving between Terminals 1 and 3 through the transit corridor at Dubai International Airport. You do need a visa if you leave the airport, pass through immigration, or collect your luggage to change airlines.
If you'd like to step out and see Dubai during a stopover, the simplest option is a 30-day tourist visa, which works with any airline — from R1,800 through Dubai Visa South Africa.
Do South Africans Need a Transit Visa for Dubai?
It depends on what you do during your layover:
- Staying inside the airport (airside) until your next flight — no visa needed. This includes transferring between Terminals 1 and 3 through the transit corridor.
- Leaving the airport to visit Dubai or stay at a hotel outside the airport — you need a visa.
- Changing airlines and collecting your luggage — you will pass through immigration, so you need a visa.
What Is a UAE Transit Visa?
A UAE transit visa lets you leave the airport for a short stopover on your way to a third country. Transit visas are issued for 48 hours or 96 hours, cannot be extended, and generally have conditions like these:
- Dubai must be a stopover, not your final destination — you need a confirmed onward flight to a third country.
- They are typically arranged through a UAE airline such as Emirates or Etihad, as part of your booking.
- A 48-hour transit visa can't be upgraded to 96 hours once it has been issued.
Please note: Dubai Visa South Africa no longer issues transit visas. If you are flying Emirates or Etihad and want one, check with your airline.
The Easier Option: A 30-Day Tourist Visa
If you want to leave the airport during a stopover, a 30-day tourist visa is usually the most flexible choice:
- Works with any airline — not only Emirates or Etihad.
- No onward-flight conditions — Dubai can be a stopover or your destination.
- Time to spare — stay a few hours or a few weeks, and change your plans if you like.
- From R1,800, processed in 5 working days (2 with express).
See the full price list on our UAE visa cost page, or read how to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a layover in Dubai?
Not if you stay airside until your connecting flight. You only need a visa if you leave the airport or pass through immigration.
Do I need a visa to change terminals at Dubai airport?
Not if you use the transit corridor between Terminals 1 and 3 and stay airside. If changing airlines means collecting your luggage, you will pass through immigration and need a visa.
Can South Africans get a visa on arrival for a Dubai stopover?
Only if you also hold a valid residence permit from the USA, UK, an EU country or a few other countries (see who qualifies). Otherwise, if you plan to leave the airport you must have your visa before you fly.
How long can I stay in Dubai on a stopover?
On a transit visa, 48 or 96 hours. On a 30-day tourist visa, up to 30 days — useful if you want more than a quick look at the city.
For everything else South Africans need to know, see Do South Africans need a visa for Dubai?
