UAE Clarifies In-Country Visa Extension Rules, Maximum Stay Caps and Associated Fees

The United Arab Emirates permits eligible visitors to extend certain visit and tourist entry permits without having to exit the country, according to a report by Mwakilishi.com. Under rules overseen by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), tourist permits can be renewed multiple times, provided the cumulative duration of stay does not exceed 120 days. Visit visas issued for family visits, business exploration, or job searching carry an extended upper threshold of up to 180 days. Certain permits, including border-area passes, truck driver permits, and passes for tourist vessel crew, are strictly non-extendable.

Extension applications cannot be submitted directly by visitors and must instead be handled by their official sponsors. Tourism agencies typically submit applications on behalf of tourist visa holders, while personal visit visa extensions must be processed by hosting family members or private sponsors. Required documentation includes a valid passport, a recent photograph, and the supporting paperwork submitted during the initial entry permit application. In Dubai, entry permit extensions fall under the jurisdiction of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

Extension fees vary depending on the issuing authority and permit type. Under the ICP, standard tourist visa extensions require a Dh100 application fee alongside a Dh500 extension fee, while 14-day extensions cost Dh250. Specialised categories, such as entry permits tied to Golden or Blue Residency procedures, carry a Dh1,000 fee. In Dubai, GDRFA levies a Dh600 extension fee plus VAT, with applicants potentially subject to Knowledge and Innovation Dirham fees as well as an additional Dh500 fee for applications processed from within the country.

Visitors must depart the UAE or secure an approved extension before their authorised stay lapses. Overstaying an entry permit incurs a fine of Dh50 per day, and authorities do not grant an automatic grace period. Separately, the UAE offers a dedicated jobseeker visa valid for 60, 90, or 120 days, which permits skilled professionals and graduates from the world's top 500 universities to enter without a sponsor to seek employment, though holders must obtain a formal work permit before taking up any job.