FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Real questions about how Layover's visa checks, time math, and data actually work — see the About page for the full breakdown.
Does Layover work for DWC (Al Maktoum International)?
No — Layover only models Dubai International (DXB) and its three terminals (T1, T2, T3). DWC isn't in the data.
What if I don't have a standard biometric passport?
Layover's visa results apply to standard biometric citizen passports only. If you hold a different passport type, the tool routes you to a general "advance visa required" message and asks you to check gdrfad.gov.ae directly, since it can't give a reliable answer for your case.
My layover is under 4 hours — why doesn't Layover suggest anything to do outside?
Below a 4-hour layover, exit processing plus the 90-minute return buffer usually leaves no meaningful time outside, so Layover keeps you airside rather than suggesting a risky exit. Above 48 hours, it's treated as a different kind of trip, not a layover.
Should I check the "DXB Smart Gates" box?
If you're eligible for DXB's biometric e-gates, checking it can meaningfully increase your usable time outside, since it skips the immigration counter. If you're unsure whether you qualify, leave it unchecked — Layover will use the standard (slower) exit-time estimate.
How current is the visa eligibility data?
It's verified against UAE GDRFA as of July 2026. A few nationalities carry an explicit "check manually" flag because their rules have changed recently — Layover surfaces those on screen rather than guessing.
What do the green, amber, and red badges on each spot mean?
They show how comfortable the timing is: green means a healthy buffer after travel and visit time, amber means it's tight, and red means it's genuinely risky. Spots that don't fit at all aren't shown.
What happens if the sign-in gate fails to load?
Layover falls back to a "continue without live data" static mode. Core visa and time-math results still work — only live traffic, weather, and taxi-time data stay unavailable until the gate loads normally.
Is my data safe? What does Layover actually collect?
Just your email and name at sign-in, a simple visit counter, and — only if you generate a share link — your trip details. No cookies, no ad tracking. Full detail is on the Privacy Policy page.
Can I use my saved plan without signal at the airport?
Yes — a saved plan link (or its QR code) reopens your full itinerary, including cached weather and route data, with no network connection needed. It's built for exactly that moment.
Fastest, Taxi, or Metro — which travel mode should I pick?
"Fastest" automatically picks whichever is quicker per leg. Choose "Taxi" or "Metro" directly if you already know which one you'll actually take — it changes the timeline and comfort badges to match.