A recent development in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has eliminated the grace period for visit visas issued in Dubai. This means that visitors and tourists must exit the country before their visas expire, or they will face overstay fines. This article provides an overview of the changes and offers guidance for travelers to avoid penalties.
Effective from May 15, the grace period for visit visas in Dubai has been eliminated. Previously, visitors were granted a 10-day grace period to exit the country after their visa expired. However, this provision no longer applies, and travelers must now adhere to the designated stay duration indicated on their visa, either 30 days or 60 days.
It’s important to note that the elimination of the grace period applies not only to Dubai but also to all other emirates in the UAE. The Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) have confirmed that there is no grace period for visit visas issued anywhere in the country. Overstay fines will be imposed immediately once the visa expires.
Previously, the grace period was automatically added to the duration of visit visas upon entry into the country. This additional period of 10 days allowed visitors to stay beyond the original visa duration. However, the system no longer includes the grace period, and travelers must exit the UAE before their visa expires.
Overstaying a visit visa is now considered a serious offense and can result in penalties and complications at immigration checkpoints. Travelers should be aware of their visa validity status and ensure they exit the country on or before the last day of their visa.
Overstaying visitors will be subject to fines. The daily overstay fine is AED 50, and additional charges of AED 320 for relevant fees and exit permits apply. For example, overstaying for 10 days would result in a total penalty of AED 500 plus AED 320, amounting to AED 820. Travelers have the option to pay these fines online through the ICP website before departing or at the airport’s immigration counter.
Previously, travel agents were responsible for paying overstay fines on behalf of visitors and later recovering the amount from them. However, under the new regulations, travel agents are no longer involved, and visitors must pay the penalties directly.
The elimination of the grace period for visit visas in the UAE signifies a stricter approach towards visa regulations. Travelers should be well-informed about their visa duration and make sure to exit the country before their visa expires to avoid overstay fines. Staying in touch with travel agents and monitoring visa validity status is crucial to ensure compliance with the updated rules.
Summary of article by: SM Ayaz Zakir / Sahim Salim, Khaleej Times
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