Sharjah International Airport Transit Visa 2026
Airside transit at SHJ is visa-free. To leave the airport, UAE visa rules apply — same list as Dubai + Abu Dhabi. Note: Sharjah is a "dry" emirate — no alcohol permitted anywhere including transit lounges.
Airside transit zone at Sharjah International Airport
SHJ is Air Arabia's hub. Airside transit is available but SHJ handles mostly point-to-point traffic, not long connections. Same UAE visa rules as Dubai/Abu Dhabi apply.
Usually need a transit visa
- • To enter UAE: nationals not on visa-free or visa-on-arrival list
Usually exempt
- • Airside transit — all nationalities
- • UAE visa-free / visa-on-arrival: 100+ countries including all EU/Schengen + UK + US + Canada + Australia + NZ + Japan + South Korea + Singapore + Malaysia + China (2024)
Visa types + cost
Airside transit (no visa)
Duration
Unlimited within layover
Price
Free
Process
None.
UAE visa on arrival
Duration
30-90 days
Price
Free or AED 100-350 depending on nationality
Process
At immigration on arrival — instant.
Real scenarios
Scenario 1
Any passport, SHJ airside layover 3 hours
No visa needed — SHJ handles Air Arabia short-turnaround flights
Scenario 2
US citizen arriving to visit Dubai (SHJ → Dubai by car)
Free UAE visa-on-arrival 30 days — 30 min drive to Dubai
Scenario 3
Indian citizen on Air Arabia SHJ transit + hoping to see Sharjah museums
UAE visa-on-arrival (paid AED 250) — Sharjah has world-class art museums
Official source
https://www.gdrfad.gov.aeVisa rules change frequently. Always verify with the official source before travel.