The UAE officially calls this document an “entry permit,” though most travellers know it as a tourist visa. Both terms refer to the same thing: the authorisation issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) that lets you enter and stay in the UAE for a set period.
Two types of tourist visa (permit) validity
How Long You Have to Enter the UAE
Entry permit validity is the window you have to actually use your visa by entering the UAE through any airport, seaport, or land border.
If you don’t enter the country before this window closes, your visa expires unused and you’ll need to apply again.
For most UAE tourist visas, the entry permit validity is 60 days from the date of issue, according to the official UAE Government portal.
This means if your visa is issued on 1 May, you must enter the UAE by 30 June, regardless of how long your permitted stay is.
Here’s how entry permit validity breaks down by visa type:
- Single-entry tourist visa (30 or 60 days): 60 days to enter from the date of issue
- Multiple-entry tourist visa (30 or 60 days): 60 days to enter from the date of issue for each entry
- 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa: valid for 5 years from issue — you can enter any time within that window
- Transit visa: 14 days to enter from the date of issue
- GCC residents’ eVisa: 30 days to enter from the date of issue
If you hold a visa on arrival (available to citizens of eligible countries), entry permit validity doesn’t apply. Your visa is stamped at the border and your stay period starts immediately.
How Long You Can Stay in the UAE on Each Tourist Visa
Once you enter the UAE, a separate clock starts: your permitted stay period. This is the number of days you’re allowed to remain in the country before you must either leave, extend, or change your visa status.
The UAE Government portal lists the following stay periods for tourist visas:
- 30-day single-entry tourist visa: 30 days from the date of entry
- 60-day single-entry tourist visa: 60 days from the date of entry
- 30-day multiple-entry tourist visa: 30 days per visit
- 60-day multiple-entry tourist visa: 60 days per visit
- 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa: up to 90 days per visit, with a maximum of 180 days total in any 12-month period
For the 5-year visa, the 12-month period is calculated from the date of your first entry, not from the calendar year or visa issue date. Unused days from one year cannot be carried over to the next.
How to Extend Your UAE Tourist Visa
You can extend most UAE tourist visas without leaving the country, which is particularly useful after a period of flight disruptions and airspace uncertainty across the Middle East.
According to the ICP, tourist visa extensions follow these rules:
- Tourism entry permits can be extended once or multiple times, provided the total stay does not exceed 120 days
- Visit visas (for visiting relatives, friends, job-seeking, business exploration, medical treatment, or study) can be extended up to a total of 180 days
- Transit visas and certain special-category permits are not extendable
For the full process, see our UAE visa extension guide.
What Happens If You Overstay Your UAE Tourist Visa
The UAE applies a unified overstay fine of AED 50 per day (approximately USD 13.60) across all visa types and all emirates. This applies to tourist visas, visit visas, and expired residence permits alike.
Additional consequences of overstaying include:
- Exit permit requirement: if you overstay by more than 30 days, you’ll need an exit permit (approximately AED 250–300) on top of the daily fine
- Potential re-entry ban: failure to settle overstay fines can trigger a one-year ban on re-entering the UAE
- Airport blocks: officials advise settling penalties at least 48 hours before departure to avoid technical blocks at immigration
You can pay overstay fines online through the ICP Smart Services portal, the GDRFA Dubai website, or the UAE Pass mobile app.
How to Check Your UAE Tourist Visa Validity Online
You can check your visa status and remaining validity through two official channels, depending on which emirate issued your visa.
For visas issued in Dubai:
- Visit the GDRFA Visa Status page
- Enter your visa or passport details to see your current validity and expiry date
- For enquiries, call the GDRFA toll-free number: 800 5111 (inside the UAE)
For visas issued in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, or Umm Al Quwain:
- Visit the ICP Smart Services portal and log in via UAE Pass
- You can also call the ICP toll-free number: 600 522 222
The official UAE Government portal also provides a visa tracking tool that works for all emirates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between entry permit validity and permitted stay?
Entry permit validity is the window to enter the UAE; permitted stay is how long you can remain after entry. For most tourist visas, entry permit validity is 60 days from issue, while the stay period (30, 60, or 90 days) starts only when you land.
Can I extend my UAE tourist visa without leaving the country?
Yes, most tourist visas can be extended from inside the UAE. Apply through the ICP Smart Services portal or visit an Amer Service Centre. The fee is AED 600 plus VAT and additional in-country charges.
Is there still a grace period after my UAE tourist visa expires?
No — as of February 2026, the standard grace period for tourist visas has been removed, and the AED 50 daily fine starts the day after your visa expires. One temporary exception applies to travelers stranded by the 2026 regional flight disruptions; see our UAE Overstay Fine Waiver 2026 guide.
How much does it cost to extend a UAE tourist visa?
The base fee is AED 600 plus 5% VAT. If you’re already inside the UAE, additional charges bring the total to approximately AED 1,150 — still far cheaper than accumulating daily overstay fines.
What do I need to apply for a 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa?
You need a bank statement showing at least USD 4,000 (or equivalent) over the past six months, valid UAE health insurance, and a return ticket. The visa allows stays of up to 90 days per visit, with a maximum of 180 days in any 12-month period.
Sources
- UAE Government Portal — Entry Permit Information
- ICP — Issuing Entry Permits
- UAE Government Portal — Tourist Visa
- UAE Government Portal — Multiple Entry 5-Year Tourist Visa
- ICP — New Visit Visa Categories and Updated Conditions
- ICP — Visa Extension Service
- GDRFA Dubai — Visa Extension
- UAE Government Portal — Do You Need a Visa to Enter the UAE
- Gulf News — UAE Unifies Daily Overstay Fine
- Khaleej Times — UAE Waives Overstay Fines for Airspace Closure
- UAE Government Portal — Track Visa Application and Validity
- GDRFA Dubai — Visa Status Check
