UAE Announces Two-Month Grace Period for Visa Overstay Fines

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) has announced a two-month grace period starting September 1, 2024, for UAE residents with visa overstay fines to “regularise their status.”

The two-month visa amnesty will allow violators to correct their visa status, transfer to a new sponsor, or leave the country without penalties or fines. Those with expired visas can leave the country between September 1, 2024, and October 31, 2024, to get their existing fines waived without receiving a “no-entry” stamp.

ICP’s Announcement:

The announcement made by the ICP on Thursday read: “The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) aims to provide violators with a new opportunity to regularise their status by the law, as a gesture that reflects the values of compassion and tolerance upon which the UAE is built.”

Overstay Fines Information:

In November 2022, visa overstay fines were standardized to a fixed fee of Dhs50 a day for tourist and resident visas.

Previously, the penalty was calculated depending on the type of expired visa. For those on a tourist visa, the fine was Dhs100 per day, so it was reduced by 50 percent. However, expired residency visas previously accrued a fine of Dhs25 per day, so this doubled.