A visa permits you to stay in a certain country for a certain time. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), staying beyond the period allowed by your visa will lead to fines and other legal consequences. Keep reading to learn about the overstaying fine in UAE.
What is an overstaying fine in UAE?
An overstaying fine in the UAE is a penalty imposed on individuals who stay in the country beyond the validity of their visa.
Previously, the country charged various fees based on visa types. However, effective October 14, 2022, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) standardized these fines. Whether you hold a visit, tourist or residency visa, you must pay AED50 daily for your overstay.
Overstaying in the UAE explained
Overstaying occurs when an individual remains in the UAE beyond the expiration date of their visa or the grace period provided. Now, the question is: What counts as overstaying?
If you have a 30-day-on-arrival tourist visa, you will enjoy a 10-day grace period. It means you will only incur a fine if you stay beyond the grace period. People from Canada, Japan, China, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, the US, the UK and Northern Ireland enjoy this privilege.
If you have a 90-day-mulitple-entry-on-arrival visa, you will have no grace period, but you can stay in the UAE for six months from the date of the visa’s issue. Overstaying beyond the cumulative 90 days will result in a fine. Countries eligible for such a visa include Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Finland, Australia, Honduras, Argentina and the Maldives. Check your eligibility here.
Indian passport holders with a US visa, US Green Card, EU residency visa or UK residency visa can get a UAE visa on arrival, valid for 14 days. It’s extendable once for another 14 days. If you fail to extend, you still have a grace period of 10 days. After that, it will count as overstaying.
Meanwhile, Mexican passport holders can obtain a 180-day multiple-entry visit visa for the UAE, valid for six months from the issue date, allowing a total stay of 180 days. Overstaying incurs standardized fines.
There’s also no grace period for those holding prepaid visas or needing to apply for entry visas before arriving in the UAE. Overstaying fines are imposed from the first day after the visa expires. These visas can be for 30, 60, or 90 days. With a multiple-entry permit, overstaying fines apply if you exceed the days your visa allows.
The UAE issues residence visas with varying durations of 1, 3, 5, or 10 years. Regardless of the visa’s length, overstaying results in a daily fine of AED 50 for each day beyond the permitted stay.
Read: UAE tourist visa requirements and process
Ways to settle your overstay fine in UAE
Need to pay your overstay fines? First, you must check how much your payable is.
If you’re a tourist, visit the ICP or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA – Dubai) website. Enter your passport number, visa number and date of birth to view your visa details and any applicable fines.
Alternatively, you can check your visa copy to see the expiration date and compute the fines based on how long you overstayed. If you’re a resident visa holder, simply check the expiry date on your residence visa or Emirates ID. The expiry date on the Emirates ID is the same date your visa expires.
To pay your overstay fines, you have three methods.
Method 1: Online payment
Overstay fines can be paid through the ICP and GDRFA websites. After entering your visa details, you can pay using a credit or debit card.
Method 2: In person via typing or Amer centers
Registered typing centers also facilitate the payment of overstay fines. View the authorized typing centers here. Another in-person payment option is via an Amer center. Amer centers handle immigration paperwork for Dubai’s GDRFA. To see where these centers are in Dubai, visit their website.
Method 3: At exit points
Fines can also be settled at airports, land borders, or seaports when exiting the UAE.
Note that not paying your overstay fine can lead to serious problems. Apart from paying overstaying fines, you may face legal issues (with the possibility of being arrested, depending on circumstances) and have trouble getting new visas. Remember that getting banned from re-entering the UAE depends on how long you overstayed and other details, as decided by immigration authorities.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an overstay fine in UAE?
The overstay fine in the UAE is AED50 per day. This standardized rate applies regardless of whether you have a visit, tourist or residency visa.
How do I pay overstay fines?
You can pay your UAE overstay fines online via ICP and GDRFA websites, in person at registered typing centers or Amer centers or at exit points (e.g., airports, land borders and seaports).
Can overstaying lead to a re-entry ban?
Yes, overstaying can lead to a re-entry ban. However, the decision depends on the duration of the overstay and specific circumstances, as determined by immigration authorities. Paying the overstay fine doesn’t automatically prevent a re-entry ban.
How can I avoid incurring overstay fines?
To avoid overstaying fines, plan your return before your visa expires, verify your last day of stay with UAE Immigration’s systems, understand your visa’s conditions and grace periods and avoid last-minute travel.
Final thoughts
The UAE is a well-visited country in the Middle East. And adhering to visa regulations is critical to avoid overstaying fines in the UAE. It also ensures a hassle-free stay or visit and re-entry. So, be sure to know the specific conditions of your visa type, regularly check your visa validity and plan your return before your visa expires.
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