Overstay fines (visit and residence visas) and past amnesties
Checked on 8 October 2026
Overstay means staying in the UAE after a visit or tourist visa has expired, or after the grace period of a cancelled or expired residence permit has ended. The official UAE government portal (u.ae, updated 28 September 2026) states that overstay fees for visit, tourist and residence visas are standardised at AED 50 per day, and ICP's own service pages (checked 8 October 2026) list the same fine: AED 50 for each day after the permitted stay or the grace period ends. The fine counts every calendar day, including weekends and holidays. Service, smart-service or knowledge fees may be added when the fine is paid; our staff confirm the exact total from the official system.
How to check and pay: ICP smart services (icp.gov.ae or the UAEICP app) or, for visas issued in Dubai, GDRFA Dubai (gdrfad.gov.ae, Dubai Now app) and Amer centres. The fine must be settled before a new visa, a change of status or departure.
Waivers in recent years (only when officially announced): - 1 September to 31 December 2024: national grace period ('Towards a Safer Community'); first set to end 31 October, extended to 31 December 2024. Excluded: violations after 1 September 2024, absconding reports filed after that date, people with deportation orders, and illegal entrants. - June 2025: fines waived for Iranian nationals stranded by airspace closure, valid until 31 December 2025. - 2026: fines from 28 February 2026 waived for people unable to leave because of airspace closures; a final 30-day grace period ran 10 June to 9 July 2026. Normal fines apply again since 10 July 2026. No new waiver had been announced as of 8 October 2026.
What to do: check your file status before the visa ends, do not wait for an amnesty, and ask us to check and settle any fine.
Government rules and fees change. This guide was correct when our team checked it; a consultant confirms the details for your own case before anything is submitted.
Official sources
- u.ae – General provisions for the residence visa (updated 28 Sep 2026)https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Visa-information/general-provisions-for-the-residence-visa
- Khaleej Times (secondary) – overstay fine Dh50 per day (Aug 2023)https://www.khaleejtimes.com/life-and-living/visa-and-immigration-in-uae/uae-visa-overstay-fine-residents-visitors-to-pay-dh50-per-day-what-you-need-to-know
- Gulf News (secondary) – fines after expiry or cancellation (updated Feb 2025)https://gulfnews.com/uae/fines-imposed-on-visa-holders-if-they-dont-exit-or-adjust-status-upon-expiry-or-cancellation-1.500026962
- The National (secondary) – amnesty extended to 31 December 2024https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2024/11/01/uae-visa-amnesty-extension/
- Aletihad – ICP extends grace period for violators to 31 Decemberhttps://en.aletihad.ae/news/uae/4526143/grace-period-for-violators-extended-to-december-31--icp
- Khaleej Times (secondary) – overstay fines waived for Iranians (June 2025)https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/mena/israel-iran-conflict-uae-iranians-waived-overstay-fines
- Khaleej Times (secondary) – fines waived after airspace closure (March 2026)https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/uae-waives-visa-overstay-fines-visitors-residents-affected-by-airspace-closure-amid-us-israel-iran-conflict
- Khaleej Times (secondary) – 30-day grace period 10 June to 9 July 2026https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/uae-grants-30-day-grace-period-individuals-with-expired-visas-regularise-status
- EY tax alert (secondary) – ICP cancels overstay waiver, 30-day grace periodhttps://www.ey.com/en_gl/technical/tax-alerts/uae-cancels-waiver-of-overstay-fines-and-introduces-30-day-grace-period-for-individuals-to-regularize-status-or-exit
- ICP – Issuance of a Visa (fines list)https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e60
- ICP – Cancellation of residency permitshttps://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e68
- WAM – ICP grants a 30-day grace period (located via a Wego summary; the page did not open on 2026-10-08)https://www.wam.ae/en/article/c0scyu2-icp-grants-individuals-affected-exceptional
Related services
Visit visa extension
Extends your current visit visa through GDRFA Dubai (Amer) so you can stay longer in the UAE.
Entry permit extension
Extends the validity of your entry permit through GDRFA Dubai (Amer) so you can stay longer.
Out pass (exit permit)
Obtains an out pass, the permit that allows you to leave the UAE, from GDRFA Dubai (Amer).
Change of status (inside the country)
Changes your visa status from inside the UAE, without leaving the country, through GDRFA Dubai (Amer).
Visa cancellation (inside country)
Cancel an employment or family residence with the sponsor's consent.
Visa cancellation (outside the country)
Cancels an employment or family residence for a holder who is outside the UAE, through GDRFA Dubai (Amer).
New residence for a newborn
Arranges a first residence visa for your newborn child through GDRFA Dubai (Amer).
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