The short answer
Yes, most UAE tourist and visit visas can be extended from inside the country without leaving. The request goes through the authority that issued the visa: GDRFA Dubai for Dubai-issued visas, and ICP (the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) for visas issued in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the other emirates. ICP allows a tourist entry permit to be extended once or several times, as long as your total stay stays within 120 days.
In practice, the extension is filed by your visa sponsor: the tourism company, airline partner, hotel or UAE resident relative who applied for the original visa. If a travel agent got you the visa, contact that agent first. Fees below are as of September 2026; check the official ICP or GDRFA service page before you pay.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who handles it | GDRFA Dubai for Dubai-issued visas; ICP for all other emirates |
| Who applies | The sponsor who issued the original visa (tourism company, airline partner or relative) |
| Maximum stay | 120 days in total on a visit or tourism entry permit |
| ICP fees | AED 100 application + AED 500 extension |
| GDRFA Dubai fees | AED 1,150 in total when you are inside the UAE (breakdown below) |
| Processing time | 2 days (ICP); 48 hours (GDRFA Dubai) |
| Exit required | No, the extension is done in-country |
| Overstay fine | AED 50 per day after expiry |
Which visas can be extended, and which cannot
Eligibility depends on the visa category printed on your permit, not just on the fact that you are a tourist. ICP publishes separate limits for each type.
| Visa type | Can it be extended? |
|---|---|
| Visit or tourism entry permit | Yes, once or several times, up to 120 days in total |
| Visit visa for a relative or friend | Yes, up to 180 days in total |
| Medical treatment entry permit | Yes, up to 180 days in total |
| 14-day visa for certain nationals living outside their home country | Once, for the same period (AED 250) |
| 60-day visa for certain nationals living outside their home country | No |
| Border-area and truck-driver permits | No |
Not sure which visa you hold? The permit PDF or the ICP and GDRFA apps show the category and expiry date. Our overview of the 30-day and 90-day tourist visa options explains how each type is issued, and the UAE visa guide covers the other categories.
How to extend your UAE tourist visa step by step
- Check your expiry date and visa type. Note both from your visa copy or the ICP or GDRFA app. The extension must be filed before the permit expires.
- Identify the issuing authority. A Dubai-issued visa is extended through GDRFA Dubai. Visas from the other emirates go through ICP.
- Contact your sponsor. Ask the agency, airline partner or relative who arranged the visa to file the extension. Agencies usually charge a service fee on top of government fees, so ask for the full price in writing.
- Prepare documents. ICP asks for your passport, a personal photo and the documents used for the original visa. GDRFA Dubai asks for a passport copy.
- Submit and pay. ICP applications go through the ICP smart services website or app. GDRFA Dubai applications go through its website or app (login by UAE Pass or username) or an Amer service centre.
- Download the approval. Keep the extended visa on your phone and as a PDF until you leave the UAE. Airport immigration can check it on exit.
UAE visa extension fees in 2026
Government fees differ between ICP and GDRFA Dubai, and agencies add their own charges on top. The figures below are the official fees listed as of September 2026.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | AED 100 |
| Extension fee | AED 500 |
| 14-day visa extension (eligible nationals only) | AED 250 |
| Overstay, per day | AED 50 |
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa extension | AED 600 |
| VAT at 5% | AED 30 |
| Knowledge Dirham | AED 10 |
| Innovation Dirham | AED 10 |
| Inside-country fee | AED 500 |
| Total | AED 1,150 |
GDRFA notes that the total can vary with individual circumstances. Compare the extension cost against the price of a fresh visa: if you know early that you will stay longer, a longer 90-day tourist visa booked from the start can work out cheaper than paying for extensions later.
Overstay fines and how to avoid them
ICP lists the overstay fine as AED 50 per day once your permitted stay or visa expires. Several 2026 reports say the old grace period for tourist and visit visas no longer applies and that fines start the day after expiry, so treat your printed expiry date as the last legal day.
- Save your visa expiry date in your phone calendar on the day you land.
- File the extension before expiry. A pending application is not a reason to stay past expiry without confirmation from your sponsor or the authority.
- Keep the payment receipt and the approved extension until you exit.
- If you have already overstayed, settle the fine before your flight, not at the gate.
Our guide to UAE overstay fines and how to pay them covers payment channels and what happens at the airport.
Visa on arrival: different rules by passport
If you entered on a visa-on-arrival stamp rather than a pre-issued visa, the extension route depends on your nationality.
- Indian passport holders with a valid US visa or Green Card, or a UK or EU residence visa, get a 14-day on-arrival visa. GDRFA Dubai runs a dedicated extension service for this group, and ICP says the 14-day visa can be extended once for the same period. Details for this group are in our UAE visa guide for Indian passport holders.
- Other visa-on-arrival nationalities should check the extension options for their passport with ICP or GDRFA Dubai before the entry stamp expires. Our list of UAE visa-on-arrival countries shows who qualifies for entry on arrival.
When extending is not the right option
An extension suits a short, unplanned addition to your trip. It is less suitable when your stay would pass the 120-day limit, when your visa category is non-extendable, or when you need to work or study. Leaving and re-entering on a new visa is possible for many travellers, but it is a fresh application and entry is always at immigration's discretion, so do not treat it as a guaranteed reset. Also check that your travel insurance covers the extra days.
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