UAE visit visa expired after Mar 1? Here's how to regularise your status

Dubai - KT speaks to typing centres and travel agents to understand the options visitors have.

Tourists in the UAE whose visit visas expired after March 1 have a one-month grace period to exit the country or get a fresh visa to avoid fines. The 30-day grace period started on July 12, Brig Khamis Al Kaabi, spokesperson of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), said in a TV interview recently.

This came after the UAE Cabinet cancelled the automatic extension of expired visas and IDs until December 31.

Khaleej Times spoke to multiple typing centres and travel agents in the country to understand the various options tourists have to regularise their status and avoid fines.

Here is all you need to know:

Q. Can I get a fresh visit visa online?
A. No. You have to get a fresh visa through a travel agent. You can also do this through typing centres.

Q. What will be the validity of the new visit visa?
A. Visitors within the country can get visit visas with a validity of one or three months.

Q. How much does it cost to get a fresh visit visa?
A. One-month validity: Dh1,700. Three-month validity: Dh2,200 (The amounts mentioned above include a Dh670 charge it costs to get a visa without leaving the country).

Q. If I am on a cancelled residence visa, can I apply for a visit visa?
A. Yes.

Q. Can I convert my tourist visa into a residence one?
A. Yes, you can do this if you find a job and an employer to sponsor your visa.

Q. When is the last date to exit the country without incurring fines?
A. The ICA has given a one-month grace period starting from July 12 for visit visa holders to exit the country.

Q: How much is the fine for overstaying?
A: As per the immigration rules of the UAE, visitors will incur Dh100 per day as overstay fines.