Introduction
If you’re applying for a UAE Transit Visa through etihad.visaonline.ae and see a big red “Request Submission Failed” message during payment, don’t panic! You’re not alone.
As we did some research, we found out that many travelers have faced this issue when applying for the 24-hour or 96-hour transit visa.
Here’s a quick guide to help you fix it and get your visa processed in time.
Related: Dubai Transit Visa – Travel To Dubai Visa Free
The Problem
We were transiting through Abu Dhabi using Etihad. While applying for the visa, everything seems to go smoothly at first. You enter your:
- Passport details
- Nationality
- Where you live
- Profession and religion
- And more details
But once you try to make the payment, you get an error:
“Request Submission Failed” (with a big red X on the screen).
At first, this can feel like your visa application is being denied, but that’s not the case.
It’s actually a payment processing issue on the platform.
Related: Countries That are Eligible for Visa on Arrival for UAE
What Doesn’t Work
Like many travelers, you might try these first:
- Clearing your browser cache
- Switching to a different browser (e.g., from Chrome to Firefox)
- Using a different device (e.g., laptop instead of phone)
- Turning on or off your VPN
- Trying different bank cards
Unfortunately, none of these steps seem to solve the issue.
Related: Having Trouble Getting a Refund For your Etihad Flight? Here is What to Do
The Real Fix
After lots of trial and error—and even reading through online forums – one thing worked: making the payment from a different country.
Here’s how it worked:
- We asked a friend in South Korea to help process the payment by completing the draft.
- We sent them the draft visa application link that is shared on email.
- They completed the payment using a local card.
- The payment went through instantly.
- The 96-hour transit visa was received within an hour!
Why This Works
It appears that the payment system on visaonline.ae sometimes blocks or fails payments made from certain regions or bank cards, especially from Africa, Americas or Europe. However, Asian bank cards (like those from Japan, South Korea, or possibly India) seem to work just fine.
Final Tips
- Ask a friend or family member in another country (especially Asia) to help with the payment.
- Send them the visa application draft link.
- Let them complete the payment on your behalf.
- Your transit visa should arrive within 1 to 5 business days, though it can come much faster.
Conclusion
The “Request Submission Failed” error is frustrating, but it doesn’t mean your visa has been denied. With a little help from someone abroad, especially in Asia, you can complete your UAE transit visa application successfully.
We hope this has helped. If so, we would like to hear from you. Reach out to us using our contact form.
