Dubai visit visa: 10-day grace period removed for travellers who overstay

Image: Dubai Media Office

Visitors to Dubai should be cognisant of the consequences of overstaying their visit visas in the country. Doing so can result in fines for the additional days past the visa’s expiration date.

Speaking to a leading national daily, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security confirmed that the grace period of 10 days granted to visitors holding Dubai visit visas has been eliminated.

Visitors who overstay their visa will have to pay a fine of Dh50 per day.

Before this policy was announced, the grace period was automatically added upon the visitor’s arrival, extending the duration of both 30-day and 60-day visit visas by 10 days. However, with the new update, visitors are now required to depart before the visa expires.

Travel agents have also been notified about the change.

Munas Moony, MD of Tourmate Tours, confirmed: “We have been notified that the free 10-day grace period is no longer valid for those granted tourist visas by Dubai.”

Visitors applying for visas should be aware that the days spent filing information or documents are still considered as ‘overstay’ days, and as such will add to the ‘fined’ days.

According to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) individuals who have overstayed their visit in the country must obtain an outpass or leave permit at the airport or immigration offices at land borders.

Visit visa options

In October last year, the validity of Dubai tourist visas was extended from 30 days to 60 days. This can be renewed for a further 30 or 60 days upon application, giving tourists up to 120 days to enjoy the UAE.

Read: UAE announces updates to 15 services linked to visa, entry permits