UAE Visa Overstay Fines: Your Complete Guide to Penalties and Exit Procedures

4 min read | Immigration & Residency Series

Understanding Visa Penalties

Staying in the UAE beyond the validity of your visa results in fines calculated on a daily basis. Whether you hold a tourist visa, visit visa, or are cancelling a residency visa, understanding the UAE Immigration regulations is crucial to avoiding hefty penalties or travel bans.

Fines are standardized across the country, though administrative procedures for settling these fines may vary slightly between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates.

The Penalty Structure

For tourists and visitors, the Visa Penalty system follows a cumulative structure. Once your grace period (if applicable) expires, the fines begin immediately:

First Day of Overstay A flat fee of 200 AED is charged for the first day you exceed your stay limit.
Subsequent Days A continuing fine of 100 AED is applied for every single day thereafter.

Service fees (typically 100 AED) may also be added by typing centers or immigration offices during payment.

Key Terms to Know

Grace Period

A specific timeframe (often 30 days for cancelled residency visas) allowed for you to either exit the country or change your status without fines. Note: Tourist visas typically do not have a grace period.

Overstaying

The act of remaining in the UAE after your visa expiry date. This is a violation of Residency Law and requires settlement before exit.

Absconding

If an employee or visitor goes missing, a report can be filed, leading to severe complications and potential bans.

Waivers & Exemptions

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) may grant waivers in specific humanitarian cases, though these are not guaranteed.

Medical Emergencies: Travelers unable to fly due to certified medical conditions.
Aviation Issues: Flight cancellations or airport closures.
Minors: In certain amnesty periods, fines for minors may be reduced or waived.

Disclaimer

Visa rules in the UAE change frequently. This guide provides estimates based on general tourist visa regulations. Always check your specific file status via the ICP or GDRFA website for the exact official fine amount.

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