UAE Visa Overstay Fine Calculator

The UAE imposes strict fines for overstaying any type of visa. Fines are calculated from the day after your visa expires, not from when you were caught.

Tourist / Visit Visa: AED 25 per day from day one of overstay, plus an AED 100 exit fee. There is no grace period — fines start the day after expiry.

Residency Visa: AED 25 per day. You may also face a visa cancellation fine of AED 100–500 depending on emirate and circumstances.

Ban risk: Overstays under 30 days rarely trigger a ban but are recorded. 30–6 months may result in a 1–6 month entry ban. Over 6 months can result in a 1–5 year ban. Over 1 year overstay has resulted in permanent bans in serious cases.

How to pay: Fines must be paid before departure at the airport immigration counter, or at any GDRFA/ICA service centre. You can also use the ICA Smart Services app or GDRFA Dubai app.

General information only. This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. For your specific situation, consult a licensed UAE immigration consultant or the official GDRFA/ICA portals. Also see: Visa Document Generator and UAE Driving License guide.

UAE visa overstay — staying beyond your permitted visa validity — is one of the most common immigration concerns for expats and visitors in the UAE. Understanding the fine structure, your options, and how to resolve the situation through official channels helps you act confidently and avoid making the situation worse. The UAE has a zero-tolerance policy, and the consequences range from significant daily fines to multi-year entry bans. Whether you're on a tourist visa, residency visa, or employment visa, understanding the rules and your options is essential.

UAE Visa Types and Their Validity Periods

Entry Ban Rules for UAE Overstay

How to Regularise UAE Overstay — Step by Step

1. Calculate your total fine: Use the Overstay Calculator above to see how much you owe. Check both GDRFA (Dubai) and ICA (other emirates) portals for the exact fine amount.
2. Don't attempt to leave via minor borders: All UAE exit points — airports, Oman border crossings — are connected to the same immigration system. Fines must be paid before any departure.
3. Option A — Pay and leave: Go to an ICA/GDRFA service centre, pay all fines, and depart within the grace allowed after payment.
4. Option B — Apply for status change: If you have a prospective employer or sponsor, it may be possible to change status from overstay to a new visa category, though this requires specific authorisation.
5. Option C — Amnesty programs: UAE periodically announces amnesty programs allowing illegal residents to depart without paying fines or facing bans. Watch for official announcements from ICA/GDRFA during these periods.

Common Situations That Cause Accidental Overstay

• Employer delay in renewing residency visa: If your employer is slow with renewal, you may overstay. Your employer is legally responsible for this — they should cover fines and cannot penalise you for it.
• Cancellation without departure: When your residency visa is cancelled (e.g., you quit a job), you typically have 30 days to depart or change status. Many people don't know this countdown starts at cancellation, not the original visa expiry date.
• Medical emergency: If hospitalized, immigration authorities can grant waivers with supporting documentation from the hospital. Apply through GDRFA/ICA with medical certificates.
• Visa validity vs. entry validity confusion: A visa valid for 6 months means you have 6 months to enter, not 6 months from entry. Once you enter, the stay duration (stamped in your passport) is what counts.