Overstay Fines in the UAE: What You Need to Know

If you find yourself overstaying your visa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it’s essential to understand the rules and consequences. Whether you’re on a visitor, tourist, or resident visa, here’s what you should be aware of:

• Daily Fine: Under the new regulations, if you overstay your visa, it will cost you AED 50 per day. So, the longer you stay beyond your visa’s validity, the higher the fine accumulates.
• Residents: Even residents who overstay will now be charged the same AED 50 per day. So, whether you’re a tourist or a resident, the fine remains consistent.
• Deportation and Bans: Overstaying can have serious consequences. If you exceed your visa duration by more than 30 days, you risk being deported and banned from re-entry for five years. For overstays exceeding 60 days, the ban extends to ten years.
• Checking Overstay Fines: To check your overstay fines, you can follow the guidelines provided by UAE authorities. It’s crucial to stay informed and avoid any unnecessary penalties.

Also Read: How to Book a Tasheer Appointment to Stamp Saudi Visa 2024

How can I extend my visa in the UAE?

If you need to extend your visa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), here are the steps you can follow:

• Tourist Visa Extension:
  • Digital Channels (Website/Smart Application):
    • Log in to the smart services system using your UAE Pass or username.
    • Search for the visa extension service.
    • Fill in the application data, if applicable.
    • Pay the service fee (if any).
  • Amer Service Center:
    • Visit the nearest Customer Happiness Center.
    • Get an automated turn ticket and wait.
    • Submit the application along with all required documents (if any) to the customer service employee.
    • Pay the service fee (if any).
  • Fees:
    • Visa extension fee: AED 600 (plus 5% value-added tax).
    • Additional fees (if the sponsored person is inside the country):
      • Knowledge dirham: AED 10
      • Innovation dirham: AED 10
      • Fee inside the country: AED 500
    • Note: The total amount may vary based on individual circumstances.
• Terms and Conditions: The visa may be extended by a decision of the issuing authority for one or more times, not exceeding a total of 120 days.

Over staying fine for visitors – Explained

Understanding the overstay fines in the UAE is crucial for any visitor to ensure compliance with the country’s visa regulations. Here’s a detailed explanation:

30 Days on Arrival Visitors from certain countries are granted a 30-day stay in the UAE upon arrival without needing a pre-arranged visa. If you belong to this category and overstay, you are liable to pay a fine. The UAE has a 10-day grace period for individuals on a 30-day visa. After this period, a fine of AED 50 for the first day and AED 50 for each subsequent day will be charged.

Vatican City	United States of America	United Kingdom and Northern Ireland
Ukraine	Singapore	San Marino
Republic of Ireland	New Zealand	Monaco
Mauritius	Malaysia	Macau, China
Kazakhstan	Japan	Hong Kong, China
China	Canada	Brunei
Australia	Andorra

Also Read: How to Check Your Saudi Visa Online by Passport Number

90 Days on Arrival Some nationalities are allowed a 90-day stay in the UAE without a pre-arranged visa, based on bilateral agreements. Overstaying this visa also incurs a fine, with no grace period mentioned, implying that fines start accruing immediately after the visa expires.

Uruguay	Switzerland	Sweden	Spain	South Korea
Solomon Islands	Slovenia	Slovakia	Seychelles	Serbia
San Marino	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Russian Federation	Romania	Portugal
Poland	Peru	Paraguay	Norway	Netherlands
Montenegro	Malta	Maldives	Luxembourg	Lithuania
Liechtenstein	Latvia	Kiribati	Italy	Iceland
Hungary	Honduras	Greece	Germany	France
Finland	Estonia	El Salvador	Denmark	Czech Republic
Cyprus	Croatia	Costa Rica	Colombia	Chile
Bulgaria	Brazil	Belgium	Barbados	Bahamas Islands
Austria	Argentina

Prepaid Visa Holders Those who enter the UAE with a visa obtained prior to their arrival must also adhere to the expiry date of their visa. Overstaying results in fines similar to the on-arrival visa holders, with no grace period, starting from the day after the visa expires.

Indian Passport Holders with Certain Visas Indian passport holders who have a valid USA Visa, EU Residency visa, or UK Residency visa may be granted a specific period of stay in the UAE. Overstaying beyond this permitted period will result in fines, ensuring that even those with additional privileges are subject to the same overstay rules.

Mexican Passport Holders Mexican citizens can enjoy a longer stay of up to 180 days on arrival in the UAE. However, overstaying this generous period will incur fines, emphasizing the importance of tracking the length of stay accurately.

Brazilian Passport Holders Brazilian nationals are permitted a 90-day stay on arrival in the UAE. Similar to other visitors, overstaying this period will lead to fines, underscoring the need for all visitors to monitor their visa validity closely.

In addition to the daily fines, there is an exit permit fee ranging from AED 250 to AED 350 that must be paid when leaving the UAE after overstaying. It’s also possible to extend your stay legally through immigration or a tourism company, which will incur a daily charge of AED 50 as an overstay fine.

Overall,

Visa Type	Duration	Grace Period	Daily Fine	Exit Permit Fee
30 Days on Arrival	30 days	10 days	AED 50	AED 250-350
90 Days on Arrival	90 days	None	AED 50	AED 250-350
Prepaid Visa Holders	As per visa	None	AED 50	AED 250-350
Indian Passport Holders with Certain Visas	As per agreement	None	AED 50	AED 250-350
Mexican Passport Holders	180 days	None	AED 50	AED 250-350
Brazilian Passport Holders	90 days	None	AED 50	AED 250-350

 

Also Read: Check Your Saudi Arabia e-Visa Status

Overstaying fine for residents

If you’re a resident in the UAE and your residence visa expires, you have a 30-day grace period. During this time, you can change your status, apply for a new visa, or leave the country without any fines. However, if you overstay beyond the grace period, you’ll be charged 50 AED for the first day and 50 AED for each subsequent day. After six months of overstaying, the daily fine remains 50 AED, and the same applies after one year. If your new employer is taking a while to process your residence visa, you can apply for a tourist visa (with or without exit) to change your status.

Where to pay the fine

• Settling Overstaying Fines:
  • You can pay your overstaying fines at various locations, including entry ports (airports, land borders, and sea ports), immigration offices, Amer offices, and typing centers.
  • If you’re extending your stay, the tourism company can handle the payment for you.
• Exiting UAE:
  • Most UAE residents and visitors settle their overstaying fines while leaving the country through airports, ports, and land borders in any of the 7 Emirates.
  • Trained immigration officers and streamlined processes ensure a smooth exit process.
• Local Offices and Centers:
  • To save time during the exit process, consider paying any outstanding overstaying dues at local immigration offices, Amer offices, or typing centers.
• Extending Stay via Tourism Companies:
  • Tourists with 30-day or 90-day on-arrival visas, prepaid visas, or Mexicans can extend their stay through local tourism firms.
  • During the extension, they can settle any fines from their previous visa.
  • Visit visa holders extending their stay must pay 50 AED per day of overstay, while residence visa holders pay 50 AED per day plus an additional service charge of 50-100 AED after recent reforms.

How to avoid paying fines

To avoid overstay fine in UAE, it is important to monitor your visa validity and plan your return before it expires. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Check your visa validity regularly: Make sure to regularly check the validity of your visa, especially if you are on a visit or tourist visa. You can check your visa status online or through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) website.
• Plan your return before your visa expires: Plan your return journey before your visa expires to avoid overstaying. If you need to extend your stay, apply for a visa extension before your current visa expires.
• Avoid overstaying without a valid reason: If you need to stay beyond your visa validity, ensure you have a valid reason and apply for a visa extension or a new visa before your current visa expires.
• Check the grace period: The UAE provides a 10-day grace period for overstaying a tourist visa. However, it is essential to note that overstaying beyond this period will result in fines and penalties.
• Monitor your overstay fines: Regularly check your overstay fines to avoid any penalties and ensure you are in compliance with UAE immigration laws.
• Avoid ignoring overstay fines: Ignoring overstay fines can lead to legal consequences, including fines, penalties, and even deportation.
• Plan ahead for visa applications: Ensure you have all the necessary documents and requirements for your visa application, and apply well in advance to avoid any delays or complications.
• Check the UAE government’s visa regulations: Familiarize yourself with the UAE government’s visa regulations and requirements to avoid any misunderstandings or oversights.

Overstay Fines During Corona-virus in UAE

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the UAE government has implemented various measures to mitigate the spread of the virus, including waiving overstay fines for certain individuals.

According to the UAE government, individuals who overstayed their visa due to the pandemic will not be charged with overstay fines. This waiver applies to individuals who were unable to leave the country due to flight cancellations and travel restrictions.

However, it is essential to note that this waiver is only applicable for a specific period, and overstaying beyond that period will result in fines. The UAE government has not provided a specific date for the waiver to end, but it is recommended to check with the relevant authorities for the latest information.

In general, the overstay fine in the UAE is AED 50 per day for visit, tourist, and residence visa holders. For residents, the fine is AED 50 per day for the first 30 days and AED 100 per day after that.

It is important to ensure that you comply with the UAE’s visa regulations and immigration laws to avoid any fines or penalties. If you are unsure about your visa status or have overstayed your visa, you can contact the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or the UAE government’s official website for more information.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• The UAE government has waived overstay fines for individuals who overstayed due to the pandemic.
• The waiver applies to individuals who were unable to leave the country due to flight cancellations and travel restrictions.
• The waiver is only applicable for a specific period, and overstaying beyond that period will result in fines.
• The overstay fine in the UAE is AED 50 per day for visit, tourist, and residence visa holders.
• For residents, the fine is AED 50 per day for the first 30 days and AED 100 per day after that.
• It is essential to check with the relevant authorities for the latest information on overstay fines and regulations.

Is it criminal to overstay in UAE without any valid reason

According to the UAE’s laws and regulations, overstaying in the country without a valid reason is considered a serious offense. The UAE has strict laws in place to regulate the entry, stay, and exit of foreigners, and overstaying can lead to severe consequences.

If you overstay in the UAE without a valid reason, you may be subject to fines, imprisonment, and even deportation. The UAE’s immigration authorities take overstaying very seriously, and it’s essential to ensure you have a valid residence visa and comply with the terms of your stay.

It’s important to understand that overstaying can be a criminal offense in the UAE, and it’s not just a matter of paying a fine. You may face serious legal consequences, including imprisonment, if you’re found to be overstaying without a valid reason.

To avoid any legal issues, it’s essential to ensure you have a valid residence visa and comply with the terms of your stay. If you’re unsure about your visa status or have any questions, it’s best to consult with the relevant authorities or a qualified legal professional.

In summary, overstaying in the UAE without a valid reason is a serious offense that can lead to severe consequences. It’s essential to ensure you have a valid residence visa and comply with the terms of your stay to avoid any legal issues.

Overstaying affect my re-entry?

If you overstay in the UAE, it may affect your re-entry into the country. Here’s what you need to know:

• No grace period for some visas: If you have a 90-day multiple-entry visa, you won’t have a grace period, but you can stay for six months from the date of your visa’s issue. Overstaying beyond the cumulative 90 days will result in a fine.
• Fines and deportation: If you overstay, you’ll need to pay a fine, and there’s a chance you might be deported. The immigration department can deport you immediately if you’ve been staying for a long time after your visa expired.
• Applying for an extension: If you’re caught overstaying, you can try applying for an extension, explaining your reason for overstaying. However, overstaying is considered a violation in the UAE, and you’ll still need to pay a fine.
• Importance of following rules: The UAE has rules in place to ensure public safety and security. Overstay fines are enforced to support the well-regulated visa system and ensure that everyone follows the rules.

People May Ask

What is the fine for overstaying in UAE?

The fine for overstaying in the UAE varies depending on the duration of the overstay. For overstaying up to 14 days, the fine is AED 250. For overstaying between 15 to 30 days, the fine is AED 500. For each additional day after 30 days, the fine is AED 100.

How can I clear my overstay fine?

You can clear your overstay fine by paying the fine online through the ICA website or by visiting the Amer Centre. You can also apply for a fine waiver if you unintentionally overstayed.

Can I come back to the UAE after overstaying?

Yes, you can come back to the UAE after overstaying, but you will need to pay the fine and clear your overstay before you can re-enter the country.

How can I check my overstay fine in UAE online?

You can check your overstay fine online through the ICA website or the Smart Services website. You will need to enter your unified number and date of birth to access your fine information. You can also use online platforms and service providers to check your overstay fine, such as the Amer Centre or other online payment portals.