As of September 2026, the UAE overstay fine is AED 50 for each day you stay after your visa or residence permit, and any grace period, has ended. The same rate applies to visit, tourist and residence visas. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) lists grace periods of 30, 60, 90 or 180 days after a residence permit is cancelled or expires, depending on your category. GDRFA Dubai's service page says 60 days, so confirm your own date before you plan.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for residents whose residence permit has been cancelled or has expired, for example after leaving a job. It also covers visitors whose visit or tourist visa is about to run out, and family members who help them. It covers administrative overstay fines only. Travel bans linked to court cases are a separate matter; see our guide on checking for a travel ban.
ICP handles residence and visa matters across the UAE. For Dubai-issued visas, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) runs the services.
How much is the overstay fine?
- AED 50 a day. ICP's fine payment service lists AED 50 per day when a foreigner's permitted stay ends. The same applies when an entry visa, residence permit, exit permit or newborn registration expires or is cancelled. The UAE Government portal says visit, tourist and residence overstay fines were standardised at AED 50 a day, replacing AED 25 for residence visas (page updated September 2026).
- When it starts. For residents, ICP's cancellation service says the fine runs from the day after the grace period for your permit type ends.
- Visit visas. The same ICP fine of AED 50 a day applies once the permitted stay ends or the entry visa expires.
- Emirates ID. This is a separate fine. ICP charges AED 20 a day for late renewal of the ID card, up to AED 1,000. ICP's FAQ says it starts after a 30-day grace period from the card's expiry.
How long is my grace period?
ICP's residence cancellation service page lists these grace periods after a residence permit expires or is cancelled:
| Grace period | Who it applies to (ICP) |
|---|---|
| 180 days | Golden, Green and Blue Residence holders and their families; widows or divorced women of residents; students after finishing their studies; foreign-passport holders who are relatives of UAE citizens |
| 90 days | Skilled workers at levels 1 to 3; property owners |
| 60 days | Residence permits issued with a guarantor or host |
| 30 days | All other categories |
The UAE Government portal says grace periods reach "up to 6 months" depending on category. ICP's FAQ describes the Green Residence grace period as flexible, up to six months.
Where the official sources differ. GDRFA Dubai's page for cancelling residence permits says there is a 60-day grace period after cancellation or expiry. It does not give categories. For many private-sector employees, ICP's list points to 30 days. Because the two authorities' pages differ, confirm your own grace period with ICP (600522222) or GDRFA Dubai before you book travel, apply for a new visa or let the date pass.
ICP and GDRFA Dubai compared
| Point | ICP (all emirates) | GDRFA Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Grace period stated | 30 to 180 days, by category | 60 days |
| Daily overstay fine | AED 50 | Fines paid through the GDRFA fine collection service |
| Cancellation fee | AED 50 application fee plus AED 100 smart services fee | AED 100 plus AED 20 in extra charges |
| Checking fines | Fine payment service with UAE Pass | Fines inquiry service online |
As of September 2026, ICP's exit fee service for land and sea ports lists a fee of AED 30. UAE and GCC citizens and tourist ferry arrivals are exempt. We did not find an official page setting a separate exit fee at airports, so ask ICP if you are unsure.
Was there a 2026 fine waiver?
Yes. On 4 March 2026, ICP announced that people unable to leave because of airspace closures and flight suspensions would be exempt from delayed-departure fines. This covered visitors on visit or tourist visas, exit permit holders, and residents who had cancelled their permits to leave. The exemption applied to fines incurred on or after 28 February 2026.
Later changes to that exemption, including a reported final window in mid-2026, were covered in the media. We could not confirm them on an ICP, GDRFA or UAE Government portal page. If you think a fine from that period affects you, ask ICP or GDRFA Dubai directly.
Step by step
- Find your exact end date. Check the permit's expiry or cancellation date in the ICP or GDRFA app.
- Identify your category. Match it to ICP's list, then confirm with ICP or GDRFA Dubai.
- Count the days. Put your last fine-free day in the legal deadline organiser.
- Settle job-related steps first. If your job ended, use the visa cancellation and final dues organiser and our final settlement checklist.
- Choose: leave, or change status. A new visa or permit must be issued before your grace period ends to avoid fines.
- Check for fines. Use ICP's fine payment service or GDRFA Dubai's fines inquiry.
- Pay before you travel. ICP's terms say you must adjust your status or leave the UAE after paying any fines.
- Keep receipts. Save proof of payment and of your exit or new visa.
Documents checklist
- Passport and Emirates ID
- Residence permit cancellation document, with its date
- Visit or tourist visa copy and entry stamp, if a visitor
- UAE Pass access to the ICP or GDRFA app
- Proof of your category, such as a Golden or Green Residence permit
- Fine payment receipts
- Flight booking or new visa or permit approval
Common mistakes
- Assuming everyone gets 60 days. ICP lists 30 days for many categories.
- Counting from the wrong date. The grace period runs from cancellation or expiry, not from your last working day.
- Forgetting family members. Their permits depend on yours. ICP lists an AED 5,000 guarantee to cancel a sponsor's permit without cancelling the family's, and it applies only in set cases, such as moving to a new employer.
- Using unofficial fine checkers. Use the ICP and GDRFA services only.
- Ignoring the Emirates ID fine. It is charged separately from the overstay fine.
When to speak to a licensed lawyer
Most overstay questions are solved directly with ICP or GDRFA Dubai. Advice may help if fines have built up over a long period, if an absconding report or a court case is involved, or if an exemption decision is disputed. See our guide on absconding reports. The free case check can help you set out the facts first, and CaseDaleel can introduce an independent licensed professional only if you choose.
Frequently asked questions
What is the overstay fine in the UAE?
As of September 2026, AED 50 for each day after your visa, permit or grace period ends, for visit, tourist and residence visas alike.
How long can I stay after my residence visa is cancelled?
ICP lists 30 to 180 days by category, while GDRFA Dubai's page says 60 days, so confirm your own period.
What is the Golden Visa grace period?
ICP lists 180 days for Golden, Green and Blue Residence holders and their family members.
Does the fine start on the day my visa is cancelled?
No, for residents ICP says it starts the day after the grace period for your permit type ends.
Can I pay overstay fines online?
Yes, through ICP's fine payment service with UAE Pass or GDRFA Dubai's fine collection service.
Can I leave the UAE if I have overstay fines?
ICP's terms say you must pay the fines and then either adjust your status or leave the country.
Is there an amnesty in 2026?
ICP waived fines from 28 February 2026 for people unable to leave because of airspace closures, and later changes should be checked with ICP.
Official sources
- ICP — Cancellation of residency permits
- ICP — Payment of visa or residence violation fine
- GDRFA Dubai — Cancellation of all types of residence permits
- UAE Government portal — General provisions for the residence visa
- ICP — Overstay fines waived for those affected by airspace closure (4 March 2026)
General information, not legal advice. CaseDaleel is not a law firm.