UAE introduces new unified overstay fine for all visa categories

2026-02-11 - 07:26

DUBAI – The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) has introduced a simplified penalty system for individuals overstaying in the UAE, effective this week. Under the new regulations, a uniform fine of AED 50 per day will be charged to anyone who remains in the country beyond their visa’s expiration date. Previously, fines for overstaying varied depending on the type of visa—tourist, visit, residence, and cancelled-residence permits—which often caused confusion among travelers. The new flat-rate penalty is designed to streamline the system, making it easier for people to understand how fines accumulate. How to Check and Pay Overstay Fines Visa holders who overstay can now check their fine status and make payments through the ICP platform. Dubai residents can also access real-time fine balances via the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) portal or Amer service centers. While immigration counters at airports and border crossings remain available for last-minute payments, authorities warn that travelers with unpaid fines may be prevented from boarding their flights. This change also benefits HR departments and global mobility teams, as the simplified fine structure will make compliance calculations more straightforward when issuing assignment letters or advising staff on visa deadlines. Tourist and visit visa holders will incur fines from the first day after their visa expires. However, residents with cancelled visas are still granted a 30-day grace period before the AED 50 daily penalty begins.