The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) confirmed on 7 April that a blanket waiver of overstay fines is now in force for anyone who could not depart the UAE on or after 28 February because of regional air-space closures. The policy, first announced on 4 March, removes daily penalties that would otherwise accrue at AED 50–100 per day and applies to visitors on tourist visas, residents who have cancelled their permits, and holders of exit permits caught by flight suspensions.
![UAE waives overstay fines for travellers stranded by conflict-related flight cancellations]()
Travellers and employers looking for help navigating these temporary rules—or arranging future visas once flights resume—can turn to VisaHQ. The company’s UAE portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) provides real-time updates, document checklists and expedited filing services, making it easier to stay compliant amid changing travel conditions.
ICP officials told local media the exemption is automatic—travellers need only present proof that their original flight was cancelled or rescheduled due to the conflict. Dedicated help-desks have been set up at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports as well as at Customer Happiness Centres nationwide. Agents can regularise status, re-issue exit permits or file fresh visa applications without the normal fine clearance step. For corporates, the waiver averts a significant compliance headache. Employees on cancelled outbound rotations can remain in the country legally while employers rearrange travel, and HR departments avoid unplanned fine reimbursements that often hit mobility budgets. Airlines also benefit, as passengers are less likely to be denied boarding over unresolved immigration penalties. ICP said the rule will stay in place until aviation regulators declare regional skies fully safe. The authority will then give at least seven days’ notice before reinstating normal overstay penalties, giving travellers a final window to exit or renew. Mobility managers should therefore track bulletin dates closely and advise staff to keep evidence of cancelled itineraries.
Travellers and employers looking for help navigating these temporary rules—or arranging future visas once flights resume—can turn to VisaHQ. The company’s UAE portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) provides real-time updates, document checklists and expedited filing services, making it easier to stay compliant amid changing travel conditions.
ICP officials told local media the exemption is automatic—travellers need only present proof that their original flight was cancelled or rescheduled due to the conflict. Dedicated help-desks have been set up at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports as well as at Customer Happiness Centres nationwide. Agents can regularise status, re-issue exit permits or file fresh visa applications without the normal fine clearance step. For corporates, the waiver averts a significant compliance headache. Employees on cancelled outbound rotations can remain in the country legally while employers rearrange travel, and HR departments avoid unplanned fine reimbursements that often hit mobility budgets. Airlines also benefit, as passengers are less likely to be denied boarding over unresolved immigration penalties. ICP said the rule will stay in place until aviation regulators declare regional skies fully safe. The authority will then give at least seven days’ notice before reinstating normal overstay penalties, giving travellers a final window to exit or renew. Mobility managers should therefore track bulletin dates closely and advise staff to keep evidence of cancelled itineraries.
