All you need to know about overstay fines in the UAE

• Overstay Fines
• Check UAE Overstay Fine
• FAQs

The UAE is a multicultural country, welcoming tourists, families and professionals from around the world. Overstay fines in the UAE are enforced to maintain a well-regulated visa system and ensure legal residency for all.

AT A GLANCE:

• Legal Compliance: Residents must follow a specific set of rules for expats in Dubai to stay compliant.
• Public Benefit: These regulations are designed to ensure public safety and security.
• Overstay Fines: Implemented in Dubai and across the UAE to support this goal and maintain order.

GENERAL RULES AGAINST OVERSTAYING IN THE UAE

The UAE welcomes tourists and business professionals from around the world, but it requires all visitors to comply with local laws. Staying beyond your visa period, results in the UAE visa overstay penalties.

• Overstay Fines: Visitors who exceed their visa period must pay fines.

• Common Concern: “What happens if I overstay my UAE visa?” is a frequent question among expats.

• Legal Consequences: Overstaying in any country is a punishable offence and each country has its own regulations to address it.

OVERSTAY FINES IN THE UAE

Whether you’re in the UAE on a short-term tourist visa or a long-term residence visa, it’s crucial to keep track of your visa expiration date. Apply for a renewal or modification before your visa ends to avoid penalties. Here’s how to renew tourist visa Dubai.

• Standardised Overstay Fines: As of October 2022, the fine for overstaying is AED 50 per day, regardless of visa type. This includes days used to request documents or update information.
• In addition to the UAE overstay fine per day, an Exit Permit Fee of AED 250–350 is also levied.

• Grace Period for Residency Visa Holders: After visa cancellation, you have a grace period of 60 to 180 days to change your status or leave the UAE, depending on your circumstances. Overstaying beyond this period can lead to arrest.

• Visit Visa Changes: The previous 10-day grace period for visit visas is no longer offered. Now, a fine of AED 50 per day applies from the day your visa ends.

• Renewal Process: If you apply for renewal but fail to upload the correct documents within 30 days, or if incorrect documents are uploaded more than three times, the renewal request will be cancelled, requiring a new application.

Remember, UAE visa overstay fines and grace periods depend on the type of visa you hold.

UAE OVERSTAY FINE CHECK

UAE overstay fine check is can be done in two ways.

1. GDRFA FINES INQUIRY SERVICE

• Visit the GDRFA Fines Inquiry Service
• Enter personal details. You can search by Emirates ID, passport number, File number, or UDB number.
• Select whether you have an entry permit or are a resident.
• Provide additional information based on your selection, such as date of birth, nationality, emirate of issuance, or gender.
• View your overstay fine.

2. ICP SMART SERVICES

For the UAE visa fine inquiry online, you can visit ICP Smart Services.

• Visit the ICP Smart Services website.
• Go to Fines > Pay fines > Violations of entry permissions or residences > Pay new fine.
• Choose File number or Citizens of Certain Countries.
• Enter the required details:
  • File number: Visa File number, date of birth, nationality.
  • Passport number: Passport number and type, date of birth, nationality.
• View any outstanding fines.

Now you know how to check and pay overstay fines in the UAE.

FAQS ABOUT THE UAE VISA OVERSTAY RULES

HOW CAN I PAY OVERSTAY FINES?

Overstay fine payments can be made in one of the following ways:

• In-person: Happiness centres
• Online: ICA website or smart application

HOW TO CHECK OVERSTAY FINE IN THE UAE ONLINE?

How to check overstay fine in the UAE online is a common question. Here’s how you can do that:

• Visit the ICA website
• Search for violations under the entry permission or residences section
• Enter your personal details to view and pay the fine

WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF THE UAE OVERSTAY FINE CHECK FOR TOURISTS?

UAE overstay fine check for tourists is possible via the GDRFA website.

HOW TO AVOID OVERSTAYING FINES IN THE UAE?

• Apply for a visa status modification before your current visa expires
• Meet the conditions of the new visa and pay the necessary fees

IS THE FINE FOR OVERSTAY IN THE UAE SAME ACROSS EMIRATES?

Yes, Dubai overstay fine amount is the same as the UAE overstay fine amount. As per the UAE visa overstay rules, the fine is AED 50 per day regardless of the emirate. In addition, you will have to also pay for the UAE visa overstay exit permit as discussed above.

CAN I GET THE UAE OVERSTAY FINE REDUCED OR WAIVED-OFF?

Yes, one can apply to avoid paying UAE visa overstay penalties. Here’s the process.

• Apply at customer happiness centres with the following documents:
  • Passport copy
  • Letter stating reasons for the violation or inability to pay
  • Other documents as requested by the Fines Committee
• Fee: AED 15.75

Please note that the chances of reduction are usually fairly low unless there has been an error made.

How to avoid UAE visa overstay consequences?

Here is what you need to be careful about.

Tips to Avoid Overstay Fines

• Check your visa status online regularly
• Apply for visa modifications within the given time frame
• Leave before your visa term ends if you cannot apply for a new visa

Government Efforts

• Amer Centres in Dubai provide clarity on visa and overstay status

For more information on the UAE visa rules and regulations, subscribe to MyBayut – UAE’s leading real estate blog.