Apply for UAE Visa Extension
Contact us
If you’re already in the UAE and want to get to stay more, learning about a visa extension policy in the UAE will be key. But whether you’re on a tourist visa, visit visa, or the visa on arrival, excessive overstaying without an extended visa could result in paying a fine, travel restriction and visa hardship down the road. In the last few years the UAE also made visa extension easier for most visitors to pursue a stay within the destination without traveling abroad.
Let us know more about what’s required to extend visas in the UAE, the procedure for applying, timing requirements and conditions, penalties related to overstaying and major limitations.
Visa Extension in the UAE
A visa extension from UAE in simple words means visitors can live in the country legally while their original visa is extended. Extensions are offered for most tourist or visit visa applicants, subject to a timely application and proper visa status verification. UAE immigration officials must approve the extension, and overstaying without them imposes daily penal fees.
Who Can Apply for An Extension of a UAE Visa?
The UAE visa Extension can be reached if you are a tourist holding a tourist visa (pre-booked visa).
On- Arrival Visitors on 30-day visa
The GCC nationals do not require a visa nor an extension due to the fact that they are visa-exempt, and can reside in the UAE without visa requirements.
UAE visa extension or visa on arrival
Travellers from some countries are granted a 30-day visa on arrival, which is free at Dubai immigration. This visa is usually granted a single extension.
Key points:
- May be extended without departing UAE
- Extension is to be applied for before expiry, to avoid being fined
- Received visa 90 day on arrival: significant restriction
The visa that is available with a 90-day period on arrival is a multiple‐entry visa that is valid for six months, and total stays only in the travel period is 90 days.
Important to note:
- No grace period is provided
- Fines can be handed out for overstaying longer than just a day
- Extension choices are minimal; people should pay attention and get in advance to be careful and in check
People who use this document on this visa shall plan their stay accurately and not act on automatic extended periods without realizing they are only expecting to be extended.
UAE visa extension for pre-arranged visa
Most Emirates tourists on the holiday to get visa extension are from countries for which it is prearranged, like India, Pakistan, Philippines and many others. These visas:
- May be extended within the UAE
- No mandatory exit to be performed upon extension approval
- Early application should be strongly recommended to prevent accidental overstays
How to Increase Your Visa to UAE?
The visa extension procedure in the UAE is easier to obtain and it is faster than ever prior.
Where to Apply?
Visa extensions are for the most part done via :
- Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)
- GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai)
- Your original visa’s travel agency/sponsor
We have an online application process that minimizes the paperwork and time required.
Documents Required
- Original passport
- Copy of existing UAE visa
- Proof of onward or return flight ticket
- Completed extension application
On-the-spot immigration authorities seek extra documents depending on visa type.
When Should You Use a Visa Extension?
Applicants for an UAE visa extension must be informed of the timing of application.
- Apply prior to your visa expiry date
- Do not depend on grace periods alone
Visas without a grace period should be extended beforehand. By applying early, it will ensure uninterrupted legal stay and prevent last-minute complications.
Grace Period Explained
A grace period is the additional time granted after visa expiry, during which no overstay fines apply. Most tourist visas include a grace period. Numerous pre-planned visit visas also have grace periods. No grace period is provided on a 90-day visa on arrival.
Always check if your visa type itself contains a grace period because assumptions can be expensive. In case, you do not extend, you get fined for overstaying.
- Financial penalties for failure to extend, or to maintain, any length of time with a UAE visa
- Current Overstay Fine
- AED 50 per day for visitors and visit visas
The fine is collected daily and applicable for a visa to travel out of the UAE.
Effects of Long Overstays
If overstaying persists without an end, travellers may confront:
- Immigration blacklisting
- Ban on temporary or permanent entry
- Problems in future UAE visa approvals
- In very severe cases detained or facing legal actions
Such short overstays usually carry fines alone, but repeated violations damage immigration records.
Can you work while on an extended tourist visa?
No. The purpose of your visa does not change with visa extensions. Work is banned from being on tourist or visit visas. Illegal working can lead to fines and deportation and entry bans. Extensions permit only more tourism or approved activities. Please always fulfil all visa conditions, including during a long period of time.
Financial Requirements for Long-Term Tourist Visas
The conditions faced in the application for a 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa include:
- Minimum bank balance or equivalent of USD 4,000
- Bank statements in the last six months
This is a criterion only for long-term tourist visas, not normal ones, short-term extensions.
The UAE visa extension is the safest and easiest way of legally staying in Dubai and legal lengthening your stay in Dubai. With easy online processes and the option to apply from within the country, extensions avoid unnecessary fees on top of the country’s existing ones by giving travellers more straightforward applications from within.
They limit tax, stress, and avoid facing potential immigration or visa penalties and their related problems in the UAE for the long haul and ensure you don't end up with unnecessary fines. The important step is planning ahead-you need to know what kind of visa you are applying for, check your grace periods, to apply and confirm, apply before expiry and fulfill visa conditions.