What Happens If I Overstay My Tourist or Resident Visa in the U.A.E.?

تيم إليوت
Hello and welcome to another edition of لوجيكال, the weekly series from the Dubai-based law firm HPL Yamalova & Plewka, the Gulf region’s first and still the only legal podcast. I’m Tim Elliott, here with the firm’s managing partner, Ludmila Yamalova, 18 floors up in Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Ludmila, always good to see you.

لودميلا يامالوفا
Hello, Tim, and great to see you as always.

تيم إليوت
This time on لوجيكال, we’re talking about visas. The UAE is a pretty welcoming place, but what happens if you overstay your visa, whether you’re a tourist or an expatriate resident?

Now, Ludmila, the UAE offers visas on arrival for an increasingly expanding list of nations. Plenty of nationalities can just turn up and get a stamped visa at the airport. We’ll come to expatriate residents in a few minutes, but let’s start with tourists. What happens if you’re having such a great time in the sun that you overstay your visa?

لودميلا يامالوفا
Indeed. Unlike popular belief that overstaying your visa could lead to imprisonment, that is not the case. Overstaying is primarily a matter of fines, which can add up quickly depending on how many days you’ve overstayed.

For most nationalities, a visa on arrival is valid for 30 days. In the past, some nationalities had longer periods, like 60 or 90 days, but now the rule is generally 30 days across the board. There’s also a 10-day grace period, so if you leave by day 35, you won’t face a fine.

However, if you exceed that, fines are as follows:

• AED 200 for the first day.
• AED 100 for each additional day.
• AED 100 as a processing fee when you leave.

For example, if you overstay by 50 days, the fines can be substantial.

When exiting the country through the airport, you’ll need to settle these fines before you can leave. You can pay at the airport itself, but be prepared to do so before boarding your flight.

تيم إليوت
Are there ways to extend a tourist visa to avoid overstaying fines?

لودميلا يامالوفا
Yes, you can extend a 30-day visa on arrival twice, each time for an additional 30 days, for a total stay of 90 days. The cost to extend is AED 600 for each 30-day extension.

However, it’s critical to apply for the extension before the original visa expires. If you wait until day 35 to apply, it’s too late, and you’ll be subject to fines.

تيم إليوت
Let’s move to expatriate residents—people like you and me who have UAE residence visas. Most of these are tied to employment or are sponsored by a spouse or partner. What happens to a residency visa once your employment is terminated?

لودميلا يامالوفا
This is a common source of confusion. Employment and immigration are separate legal concepts in the UAE. Even though residency visas are often tied to employment, the visa itself does not automatically end when your employment does.

For example:

• During your notice period, which could range from one to three months, your visa remains valid even if you’re no longer actively working.
• Once the notice period ends, your employer must formally cancel the visa by submitting your passport to immigration authorities.

Even after cancellation, you have a 30-day grace period to remain in the UAE without fines.

تيم إليوت
And what happens if someone overstays beyond that 30-day grace period?

لودميلا يامالوفا
Overstay fines for residency visas are lower than for tourist visas:

• AED 125 for the first day.
• AED 25 for each subsequent day.

If you overstay for six months, the fine increases to AED 50 per day, and after a year, it’s AED 100 per day. These fines are listed on the UAE government’s immigration website and show that some residents choose to pay fines rather than leave or extend their status.

تيم إليوت
Can residents extend their grace period if they want to stay longer?

لودميلا يامالوفا
Other than paying overstay fines, there isn’t a formal mechanism to extend the grace period for residency visas. However, some residents opt to leave and re-enter on a tourist visa, effectively changing their status.

One common approach is the “visa run,” where individuals travel to a neighboring country like Oman and re-enter the UAE on a tourist visa. Upon re-entry, they receive a new 30-day tourist visa, which can also be extended twice.

تيم إليوت
The UAE is dynamic, and immigration rules can change rapidly. What’s the best way for people to stay informed?

لودميلا يامالوفا
The UAE government provides excellent resources:

1. Check the official naturalization and immigration websites regularly, as they are updated frequently.
2. Visit specialized immigration centers in your emirate if you need to extend your visa or clarify rules.
3. Call the immigration authority’s call center for assistance—they are knowledgeable and helpful.

تيم إليوت
Ludmila Yamalova, managing partner at Dubai-based law firm Yamalova & Plewka. As ever, appreciate your expertise.

لودميلا يامالوفا
Thank you, Tim. Always a pleasure.

تيم إليوت
That’s another edition of لوجيكال. Each week, we cover legal issues, news, and more. If you have a legal question or need a consultation, visit LYLawyers.com. You can also find us on social media or WhatsApp us at +971 52 525 1611.