UAE Overstay Fines 2026: What Happens and How Much It Costs

The UAE overstay fine is AED 50 per person for each day you stay beyond your permitted period, and the same rate applies to visit, tourist and residence visas. For most visit and tourist visa holders the fine starts the day after the visa expires, because the old 10-day grace period was withdrawn in 2023. You must pay the full amount, and in many cases obtain an exit permit, before immigration will let you leave. Figures are as of September 2026; check the ICP website before you travel.

How much is the UAE overstay fine per day?

ICP's published fee for "expiry of permitted stay or cancellation/expiration of visa/residence permit" is AED 50 per day. The UAE government portal confirms that visit, tourist and residence visa overstay fees were standardised at this rate; residents used to pay AED 25 a day.

The fine is simple multiplication, counted for each calendar day and each person:

These totals cover the daily fine only. Paying through ICP's smart services carries a separate AED 100 service fee, and visitors who overstay can be asked to buy an exit permit with its own government fees. Budget above the table figure, not at it.

Is there a grace period after my UAE visa expires?

For most visitors, no. In June 2023 immigration authorities across all emirates stopped applying the 10-day grace period to visit and tourist visa holders who failed to leave on time, so the fine now starts on the first day after expiry. Many travellers still assume the 10 days exist, which is one of the most common reasons for an accidental fine.

• Visit and tourist visa holders: no grace period. Treat the expiry date as your last day in the country.
• Visa on arrival: immigration advisories at the time said the 10-day grace period still applied to visa-on-arrival entries. This is not clearly stated on the government portals, so do not plan around it.
• Residence visa holders: after a residence permit is cancelled or expires, residents get a grace period of up to 6 months depending on their category. The AED 50 daily fine starts once that grace period ends.

If you entered visa-free or with a stamp on arrival, the list of countries that get a UAE visa on arrival shows how long your stamp normally allows.

What happens if you overstay your UAE visa?

A short overstay that you settle promptly is normally handled as a fine. The overstayed days are recorded against your visa file and must be cleared before you can leave or change status. ICP's condition is clear: "the status must be adjusted or the individual must leave the UAE after paying any fines incurred."

• Daily fines accumulate at AED 50 per day until you pay and leave or regularise your status.
• You cannot leave with an unpaid fine. Immigration checks your record on exit.
• An exit permit may be needed. Visitors who overstay can be required to obtain one, with extra government fees on top of the fine.
• Your sponsor is affected. Travel agencies and hotels that sponsor visit visas face penalties and quota cuts when visitors overstay, so they may file an absconding report if you go quiet.
• Absconding is far more expensive. Once a sponsor files an absconding case, fines and fees rise sharply and future entry can be refused. Talk to your sponsor before your visa runs out.

How to pay a UAE overstay fine

Pay the fine before you head to the airport if you can. It saves time at the counter and lets you see the exact amount in advance.

• ICP smart services: the "Payment of visa or residence violation fine" service on the ICP website or app, open 24/7. You log in with UAE Pass, check the application details and pay. ICP lists processing as up to 2 days, so do not leave it to the morning of your flight.
• GDRFA Dubai: if your visa was issued in Dubai, GDRFA's fine collection service is available online around the clock and at Amer service centres during business hours, with no service fee beyond the fine itself.
• In person: ICP customer happiness centres and Amer centres can review your case and take payment during working hours. Immigration at the airport can also settle outstanding cases on departure.

ICP's call centre is on 600 522222. Keep your payment receipt with your passport until you have cleared immigration.

Can overstay fines be waived?

Sometimes. ICP runs an "apply for exemption from delay fees" service, and GDRFA Dubai has an equivalent for Dubai visas. Approval is case by case and you should not count on it.

ICP also waives fines in special circumstances. In March 2026 it announced that overstay fines incurred from 28 February 2026 would be waived for visitors, exit permit holders and residents who could not leave because of airspace closures and flight suspensions. The UAE has also run time-limited amnesty programmes for residency violators in the past. Check the ICP media centre for anything currently active; do not assume one will be announced.

How to avoid a UAE overstay fine

Most overstays happen because travellers count from the wrong date, believe the old 10-day grace period still exists, or miss a delayed flight on their final day. A few habits remove nearly all of the risk:

• Check the exact expiry date on your e-visa or entry stamp, not your planned flight date.
• Book your departure at least one or two days before the visa expires, so a cancelled flight does not push you over.
• If you need more time, apply to extend your UAE visit visa before it expires, where your visa type allows extension.
• Keep your sponsor (hotel, airline or travel agency) informed if your plans change.
• If your flight is cancelled, keep the airline's cancellation notice. It supports any waiver request.
• Set a phone reminder three days before expiry.

Before you book, compare the validity rules for your visa type in our UAE tourist visa guide. Our Dubai airport guide covers departure timings so you reach immigration with time to spare.

Frequently asked questions about UAE overstay fines