Dubai, the marvellous capital of the United Arab Emirates, is the ultimate tourist hub, drawing millions of visitors every year. With the lavish lifestyle, modern architecture holding the perfect essence of culture and world-class etiquette, one will never feel a moment of discomfort or disappointment on their visit to Dubai. The city not only encourages unforgettable leisure but also boasts a flexible and great environment for the best talents worldwide.
Like any country, Dubai requires a visa permit to enter the country. While the visa application process is easy and accessible, one should always remember to follow the visa policies and rules before planning to apply for one.
Dubai visa categories
You can opt for a Dubai tourist visa category that best syncs with your travel plans and the purpose of your travel. For approval, every visa application must be supported with correct and legitimate information.
This tourist visa category entitles you to travel to the UAE once within 30 days of validity. This can be used for short recreational visits, tourism visits, leisure, and visiting family and friends.
This tourist visa category entitles you to travel to the UAE once within 60 days of validity. This can be used to explore Dubai’s fascinating landscapes, culture, and traditions for longer.
This tourist visa category entitles you to travel to the UAE multiple times within 30 days of validity. This can be used if you must exit Dubai and re-enter several times.
This tourist visa category entitles you to travel to the UAE multiple times within 60 days of validity. This can also be used if you must exit Dubai and re-enter several times.
You can learn more about the guide and Dubai visa fees at onlydubaivisa.com. Right from selecting the visa type to entering and staying in the country and abiding by the laws, Dubai has a precise and well-organised immigration system, and this includes the overstaying law as well.
Image Credit: blog.wego.com/
Dubai visa expiry and overstaying
The Dubai visa expiry validity period is stated on your issued visa. Travelers are expected to exit Dubai before the visa validity period expires. Else, it can lead to complications and fines for the applicant’s candidature. Overstaying is a punishable crime, and there could be various consequences as per the overstaying period, traveler’s nationality, and candidature. The fines applicable for overstaying are applicable for each day overstayed. The overstaying of the traveler is not applicable if they cannot leave the country due to airport closures or flight cancellations.
The United Arab Emirates welcomes millions of tourists worldwide for tourism, leisure, business, study, work, recreational, and medical purposes. The only expectation that the immigration authorities have is that the traveler abides by the law of the land. The laws for visa validity are introduced to bring discipline and regulate a peaceful society, which features immigration laws as well.
News Alert!! :UAE Visit Visas: 6 Recent Changes
The customer service representative at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, as well as various Emirati travel agencies, confirmed that anyone who has overstayed their entry permits and tourist visas in the United Arab Emirates must obtain an out pass or leave permit at the airport or immigration offices at the land borders.
The out pass or leave permit may also be obtained at the Al Awir Immigration office. The visitor must also pay the overstaying fines for the extended days after the expiry of the entry permit in the country.
According to travel industry expert news, the announcement was updated a few days ago, and most visitors who overstayed in the UAE were required to obtain a leave permit by paying twice the previous sum. The current leave permit is obtainable for AED 200 to 300.
“An out pass or leave permit is required for those visitors who continue to reside in the country after visa expiry or after the grace period offered by the emirates,” said Mir Wasim Raja, manager of MICE and Holidays at Galadari International Travel Services.
While Deepak Kaushik, marketing manager of Rooh Travel and Tourism said, “Without our knowledge, a few of our clients overstayed their specified period of stay on their visa. When their visa expired, they contacted us to pay the overstay fines. But they did not know the out pass or leave permit.” “At the airport and land borders, they had to pay for the number of days overstayed and for a leave permit.”
Many visitors have been obtaining an out pass for overstaying, including to pay for the number of days of their extended stay in the UAE.
Problems of overstaying
Overstaying beyond your visa expiry is considered a punishable criminal offense in the UAE. The UAE immigration authorities offer a grace period of 10 days, beyond which there could be serious complications to the traveler’s candidature. Below are the complications or the problems of overstaying that you are likely to face:
Fines
Each traveler must pay a fee of AED 50 for each day they overstayed beyond their visa expiry. If the offense is repeated multiple times, it can lead to complications in the applicant’s candidature, such as blacklisting.
Criminal charges
Overstaying is considered a punishable criminal offense. Criminal proceedings charged against you which could lead to imprisonment, a hefty fine, or both.
Deportation
You could be deported to your home country for overstaying in the UAE. If caught or charged guilty, you could face imprisonment, a hefty fine, or both.
Travel ban
If the traveler is deported from the UAE for overstaying, they can be banned from further travel to the UAE or the GCC countries. If caught or charged guilty, you could face imprisonment, a hefty fine, or both
General Rules against overstaying in the UAE / Dubai
The United Arab Emirates welcomes visitors from across the world for tourism, business, work, study, or even medical purposes. The only need for the individuals is to stay and abide by the law of the land. The law is meant to bring discipline and regulate a peaceful society, and this includes immigration laws as well.
Foreign nationals who stay longer than their visa period must pay to overstay fines in the UAE and obtain an out pass to leave the country.
If you ask about the consequences of overstaying in the country, let us remind you that overstaying in any country is a punishable crime, and different countries deal with such cases according to their immigration laws.
Overstay fines in the UAE
Whether you are in Dubai on a long-term residency visa or a short-term tourist visa, it is crucial to note when the visa expires. Remember to apply for a visa renewal or modification before the deadline. If you fail to meet the rules, as mentioned above, you will have to pay penalties and may also end up in unfavourable circumstances.
Formerly, fines depended on the type of visa the visitor held. However, with the changes to the visa system launched in October 2022, the fine for overstaying has been standardised regardless of the visa type.
Dubai visa overstay fines charges is AED 50 per day, and the new visa system issues the same fine amount for any offenders.
Note that the overstaying fine will not be imposed on visitors unable to leave the country due to airport closures or flight cancellations.
Visitors who visit Dubai must follow the rules set for foreign nationals, as at the end of the day, these rules are for the well-being of the public, ensuring safety and security. Alert
Steps to consider post-visa expiry
Once your visa has expired, you must take swift action, as the fine and penalty tolerance will also increase. Going forward, you could also be banned from entering the UAE and the Gulf countries.
As the first action step, you should connect with the UAE immigration authorities at the embassy or consulate either over the phone or through their online portal. They will advise you on the next steps regarding exit and financial assistance if required.
If your travel purpose is still unfulfilled, you should look to renew or extend your UAE visa, which can be done either online or via phone.
Visa renewal process
The visa documentation required for a renewal or extension may vary depending on the visa category you have applied. In general, you should follow the following steps:
- Head to the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (ICA) online portal and create an account.
- You will have to head to the visas section and select the action – renew visa
- Select the visa category you have applied for, enter your visa details, and upload the supporting documentation.
- Each traveler will have to pay a fee of AED 100 and an issuance fee of AED 100.
- Your extension will be processed in another 1-2 working days after submitting your visa extension or renewal application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a visa expiry, and what is the grace period after expiry?
2. What are the problems you can face for overstaying in the UAE?
3. What is the validity period of the Dubai tourist visa?
4. Is there a limit defined in terms of Dubai visa extension?
5. Can I extend or renew my tourist visa after my Dubai visa expires?
Visa Type
Validity Period
Validity of Stay
