You need to know the exact end date of your UAE visa. One or two days of inattention can bring a fine and trouble at the airport. The information in this article comes from the official pages of the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), checked on 24 October 2026.
The official fine
On its "issuing a visa" service page, ICP gives the fine for overstaying, or for holding an expired entry visa, as 50 dirhams for each day.
Keep two dates apart
- The entry deadline: according to ICP, the holder of an entry permit must enter the UAE within 60 days of the date of issue.
- The length of stay: counted from the day of entry and depends on the type of visa, for example 30 or 60 days for the Dubai tourist visa.
A 30-day visa means 30 days from entry, not 30 days from issue.
How to avoid it
- Note the day of entry and put the end date in your phone's calendar, with a reminder a few days earlier.
- If you want to stay longer, apply for an extension before the validity ends. ICP says most visas can be extended once or more, at that authority's discretion, provided the total period does not exceed the limit for that type of visa; for visit visas, the total period with extensions does not exceed 120 days.
- If your visa was issued through a tourism establishment, the extension is also made through that establishment or GDRFA's official extension service.
- Book your return flight with a safety margin before the end date; flights can be delayed or cancelled.
If you have passed the deadline
- Act as soon as possible; the fine grows every day.
- Check and pay the fine through the official ICP or GDRFA portals, or speak to the ICP contact centre on 600522222.
- If your visa sponsor is a tourism establishment, tell it so it can help with the official process.
- An overstay may show up in your later applications. Declare it correctly in later visa forms.
Warning
Use only the official portals, or the establishment that issued the visa, to pay a fine or to extend. Messages asking you for money to "remove a fine" are not official.
This article is general information and is not legal advice. Fines and decisions rest with the UAE authorities and may change.
Sources
- ICP UAE, issuing a visa (entry deadline, extension, fine, contact centre) — https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e60 (checked on 24 October 2026)
- ICP UAE, frequently asked questions (extension) — https://icp.gov.ae/en/faq/ (checked on 24 October 2026)
- GDRFA Dubai, issuance of a single-entry tourist visa (30 or 60 days) — https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/f9e586fe-0642-11ec-0320-0050569629e8 (checked on 24 October 2026)