The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has introduced a single, nationwide penalty of AED 50 (US $13.60) for every day a foreign visitor or resident remains in the country after the expiry or cancellation of a visa.
Announced on 11 February 2026 and confirmed by ICP and Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), the move replaces a patchwork of different tariffs that previously applied to tourist, visit and residence visas and often varied by emirate. Immigration portals have already been updated with the new fine matrix, and travellers can now see and settle penalties instantly through the ICP or GDRFA apps using UAE Pass.
The reform brings long-requested clarity for global mobility managers. Companies can now budget for a single rate across all assignees and dependants, regardless of where in the UAE they are based. At the same time, authorities have removed the 10-day grace period that once applied to most tourist visas, meaning fines start accruing immediately after expiry. Visitors who overstay by more than 30 days must also obtain an exit permit (out-pass) costing about AED 250–300 before leaving the country.
![UAE Unifies Visa-Overstay Fine at AED 50 Per Day Across All Emirates]()
For companies and travelers seeking practical assistance with navigating these updated requirements, VisaHQ offers a one-stop online solution through its UAE page (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/). The platform provides up-to-date visa information, streamlined application filing, and real-time status tracking, helping users stay compliant and avoid unnecessary overstay fines.
Compliance enforcement is being tightened in parallel. Smart-gate systems at UAE airports flag passengers with outstanding fines, and employers receive automatic prompts to file “absconding” reports if a sponsored worker fails to regularise status. Immigration lawyers warn that chronic overstayers now face departure bans, future entry bans, or blacklisting across the wider GCC.
Practical tips for HR teams include scheduling automated reminders well ahead of visa expiry, using the new online dashboards to verify fine balances 48 hours before travel, and instructing business travellers to retain a small buffer of time in the country in case their file is temporarily blocked for technical reasons. The ICP has indicated that humanitarian fine waivers will remain available but only via a formal online petition supported by documentary evidence such as hospital reports or flight-cancellation notices.
Announced on 11 February 2026 and confirmed by ICP and Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), the move replaces a patchwork of different tariffs that previously applied to tourist, visit and residence visas and often varied by emirate. Immigration portals have already been updated with the new fine matrix, and travellers can now see and settle penalties instantly through the ICP or GDRFA apps using UAE Pass.
The reform brings long-requested clarity for global mobility managers. Companies can now budget for a single rate across all assignees and dependants, regardless of where in the UAE they are based. At the same time, authorities have removed the 10-day grace period that once applied to most tourist visas, meaning fines start accruing immediately after expiry. Visitors who overstay by more than 30 days must also obtain an exit permit (out-pass) costing about AED 250–300 before leaving the country.
For companies and travelers seeking practical assistance with navigating these updated requirements, VisaHQ offers a one-stop online solution through its UAE page (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/). The platform provides up-to-date visa information, streamlined application filing, and real-time status tracking, helping users stay compliant and avoid unnecessary overstay fines.
Compliance enforcement is being tightened in parallel. Smart-gate systems at UAE airports flag passengers with outstanding fines, and employers receive automatic prompts to file “absconding” reports if a sponsored worker fails to regularise status. Immigration lawyers warn that chronic overstayers now face departure bans, future entry bans, or blacklisting across the wider GCC.
Practical tips for HR teams include scheduling automated reminders well ahead of visa expiry, using the new online dashboards to verify fine balances 48 hours before travel, and instructing business travellers to retain a small buffer of time in the country in case their file is temporarily blocked for technical reasons. The ICP has indicated that humanitarian fine waivers will remain available but only via a formal online petition supported by documentary evidence such as hospital reports or flight-cancellation notices.
