The Dubai visa expiry validity period is stated on your issued visa. Travelers are expected to exit Dubai before the visa validity period expires. Else, it can lead to complications and fines for the applicant’s candidature. Overstaying is a punishable crime, and there could be various consequences as per the overstaying period, traveler’s nationality, and candidature. The fines applicable for overstaying are applicable for each day overstayed. The overstaying of the traveler is not applicable if they cannot leave the country due to airport closures or flight cancellations.
The customer service representative at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, as well as various Emirati travel agencies, confirmed that anyone who has overstayed their entry permits and tourist visas in the United Arab Emirates must obtain an out pass or leave permit at the airport or immigration offices at the land borders.
The out pass or leave permit may also be obtained at the Al Awir Immigration office. The visitor must also pay the overstaying fines for the extended days after the expiry of the entry permit in the country
Problems of overstaying
Overstaying beyond your visa expiry is considered a punishable criminal offense in the UAE. The UAE immigration authorities offer a grace period of 10 days, beyond which there could be serious complications to the traveler’s candidature. Below are the complications or the problems of overstaying that you are likely to face:
Fines
Each traveler must pay a fee of AED 50 for each day they overstayed beyond their visa expiry. If the offense is repeated multiple times, it can lead to complications in the applicant’s candidature, such as blacklisting.
Criminal charges
Overstaying is considered a punishable criminal offense. Criminal proceedings charged against you which could lead to imprisonment, a hefty fine, or both.
Deportation
You could be deported to your home country for overstaying in the UAE. If caught or charged guilty, you could face imprisonment, a hefty fine, or both.
Travel ban
If the traveler is deported from the UAE for overstaying, they can be banned from further travel to the UAE or the GCC countries. If caught or charged guilty, you could face imprisonment, a hefty fine, or both
General Rules against overstaying in the UAE / Dubai
The United Arab Emirates welcomes visitors from across the world for tourism, business, work, study, or even medical purposes. The only need for the individuals is to stay and abide by the law of the land. The law is meant to bring discipline and regulate a peaceful society, and this includes immigration laws as well.
Foreign nationals who stay longer than their visa period must pay to overstay fines in the UAE and obtain an out pass to leave the country.
If you ask about the consequences of overstaying in the country, let us remind you that overstaying in any country is a punishable crime, and different countries deal with such cases according to their immigration laws.
Overstay fines in the UAE
Whether you are in Dubai on a long-term residency visa or a short-term tourist visa, it is crucial to note when the visa expires. Remember to apply for a visa renewal or modification before the deadline. If you fail to meet the rules, as mentioned above, you will have to pay penalties and may also end up in unfavourable circumstances.
Formerly, fines depended on the type of visa the visitor held. However, with the changes to the visa system launched in October 2022, the fine for overstaying has been standardised regardless of the visa type.
Dubai visa overstay fines charges is AED 50 per day, and the new visa system issues the same fine amount for any offenders.
Note that the overstaying fine will not be imposed on visitors unable to leave the country due to airport closures or flight cancellations.
Visitors who visit Dubai must follow the rules set for foreign nationals, as at the end of the day, these rules are for the well-being of the public, ensuring safety and security. Alert