How to Extend a Tourist Visa in the UAE
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UAE Tourist Visa Extension
The UAE is a magnet for foreign tourists, offering a perfect blend of heritage, tradition, and modern luxury. The country has several historical sites, museums, iconic landmarks, shopping centers, and entertainment zones. The Emirati society is multicultural and has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
The UAE is a magnet for foreign tourists, offering a perfect blend of heritage, tradition, and modern luxury. The country has several historical sites, museums, iconic landmarks, shopping centers, and entertainment zones. The Emirati society is multicultural and has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
Millions of foreign tourists visit the UAE every year and they often lament the lack of time to experience all that the country has to offer. However, overstaying your visa can land you in deep trouble, and you must opt for a UAE tourist visa extension before your visa expires. This guide will take you through the entire process of extending your tourist visa from the comfort of your desk.
What is a UAE Tourist Visa?
A UAE tourist visa is a legal permit for foreign nationals who want to visit the country for leisure travel and recreation purposes. A tourist visa does not permit foreign visitors to take up any other activity in the UAE such as work, study, business, or medical treatment.
Types of UAE Tourist Visas
The UAE government grants several types of tourist visas to suit the requirements of foreign travelers. The list is as follows:
Single-Entry Tourist Visa
This visa permits visitors to enter the UAE only once during its validity period. The visa is valid for 30 or 60 days and expires immediately after you exit the UAE.
Multiple-Entry Tourist Visas
A multiple-entry visa allows you to enter and exit the country many times during its validity period of 30 or 60 days.
This visa is valid for 5 years and allows visitors to enter the UAE multiple times on self-sponsorship. You can stay in the country for up to 90 days on every visit. The applicants have to fulfill certain additional requirements to obtain this visa.
Requirements for a UAE Tourist Visa Extension
Eligibility Criteria
To obtain a UAE tourist visa extension, the applicant must be a citizen of any of the eligible countries and hold a passport with a minimum validity of six months.
Documents Required for the Visa Extension
A copy of the passport
Passport-sized photographs with a white background
A copy of the existing tourist visa
Confirmed return tickets
Proof of accommodation
A valid health insurance policy
How to Extend the UAE Tourist Visa?
The applicants can choose any of the following channels to apply for a UAE tourist visa extension.
1 . Through the GDRFA Website
Visit the official website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA)
Sign up or log into your account using your credentials
Click on the ‘Services Guide’ and select the ‘Entry Permissions’ option. Click on the ‘Entry Permissions Services’
Scroll down and click on the ‘Extension of Entry Permit’ option
Select the relevant service from the options and click on ‘Start the Service’
2 . Through the ICP Smart Services Portal
Visit the official website of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP). Navigate to the ‘Smart Services’ page.
Find the relevant option for visa extension such as your passport number, visa file number, or the unified ID (UID) number.
Make the payment online. After processing and approval, the visa extension will be communicated through your registered email address.
3 . Through the Amer Website
Visit the official website of Amer Dubai
Select the ‘UAE Tourist Visa’ option on the home page. A new page opens to show the list of tourist visa options
Select the relevant tourist visa option and click ‘Apply Now’
Enter your personal information and travel details in the online application form
Pay the visa extension fee online and click ‘Submit’
4 . Through the Amer Service Centers
You can also apply for a UAE tourist visa extension by visiting an Amer service center in Dubai. Submit the application at the center along with copies of your passport and the original visa. Pay the visa extension fees at the counter and wait for your application to be processed.
How to Renew a Tourist Visa in the Other Emirates of the UAE?
The ICP/ICA portal provides a platform for the applicants to renew their tourist visas from the other Emirates of the UAE. The procedure is as follows:
Visit the official website of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP)
Click on the ‘Services’ tab and select ‘Individual Services’ from the dropdown menu
Scroll down and click on the ‘Extension of a Tourist Visa’ option
Click on ‘Start Services’. Register through the UAE pass
Pay the visa extension fees online.
Note: You can also visit any of the nearest ICP-approved typing centers to apply for a tourist visa extension.
UAE Tourist Visa Extension Fee
The details of the UAE tourist visa extension fees are given in the table below:
| Duration of Extension | Cost ( in AED) |
|---|---|
| 30 Days | 500 |
| 60 Days | 1,000 |
What is the New Law for a Tourist Visa in the UAE?
According to the latest rules (2024), a 30-day or a 60-day UAE tourist visa can be extended up to a maximum of 60 days at a time. Further, the government has reinstated the in-country visa extension and visitors can now extend their visas from within the UAE.
Penalties for Overstaying a UAE Tourist Visa
The UAE has a standardized fine for foreign visitors who overstay their visas. The overstay fine is AED 50 per day and it is the same for holders of tourist, visit, or residence visas.
The overstay fine is cumulative too. If you overstay your visa for 10 days, you pay a fine of 50*10 = AED 500. If you overstay for 20 days, you pay a fine of 50*20 = AED 1,000.
How to Pay a Visa Overstay Fine?
The step-by-step procedure to pay a visa overstay fine in the UAE is given below:
Visit the ICP Smart Services website and navigate to the ‘ICP Fine Payment’ page.
Enter the relevant details in the dashboard. Separate sections are provided here for residents and visitors. Under the visitors section, select the ‘Citizens of Other Countries’ module. Then enter the details of your passport, date of birth, and nationality.
Enter the captcha code. Click the ‘Search’ button after verifying the details.
The overstay fine amount details are displayed on the screen.
Pay the full fine amount online. Note the transaction number displayed on the page upon successful payment.
Things to Keep in Mind During the Visa Extension Process
Do not wait till the last date of your visa. Please apply for an extension well in advance to avoid last-minute hassles related to documentation and processing of your application.
Gather the requisite documents and keep them handy. The immigration authorities will not process your application without proper documents to support it.
Choose the online mode for your application. This is faster and more convenient than applying in person at a visa application center.
The visa extension fee is not refundable. So ensure that you pay the correct amount while making the online payment.
The processing of your visa extension application usually takes 3 to 5 working days. It may take longer during peak seasons. Kindly stay calm and patient during this period.
Frequently Asked Questions on UAE Tourist Visa Extension
Tourists can make the visa extension process smooth by applying at least 3 to 5 days before the visa expiry date and ensuring that all the required documents are in order.
As per the new visa rule, the validity of a UAE visit visa has been increased from 30 days to 60 days. Further, a new 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa has been introduced allowing visitors to stay for at least 90 days on every visit (without sponsorship).
The UAE government has recently scrapped the 10-day grace period provided to foreign visitors. So, you cannot stay even a day after your tourist visa expires. You will be liable to pay a fine of AED 50 for every day you overstay in the UAE.
The UAE tourist visa can be extended for a maximum of two times. The maximum extension allowed is 60 days.
The procedure to check the UAE tourist visa status using the passport number is as follows:
- Visit the official website of GDRFA
- Navigate to the ‘Services’ section and select the ‘Check Visa Status’ option
- Select the option to check the visa status using the passport number
- Enter all the required details and click ‘Search’ to view your tourist visa status
The cost of extending a UAE tourist visa depends on the duration of the extension. While the 30-day extension costs AED 500, the 60-day extension costs AED 1,000.
Yes. The overstay fine can be paid at the immigration control office located at the Dubai airport.
