UAE Overstay Fine Waiver 2026: 30-Day Grace Period Ends July 9

Last updated: Jun 19, 2026

The UAE has granted a 30-day grace period, running June 10 to July 9, 2026, for travelers who were stranded by regional airspace closures and exempted from overstay fines.

This is the final window to either regularize your status or leave the country without penalty. After July 9, standard overstay fines apply.

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What the Grace Period Means

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) waived overstay fines for travelers who could not leave the UAE because of airspace closures and flight suspensions that began on February 28, 2026.

With regional flights now stabilizing, the ICP has set a 30-day grace period to close out that relief. You don’t need to take any preliminary steps to qualify — if you were covered by the exemption, the grace period applies automatically.

During this window you have two options:

Regularize your status and stay — adjust your residency or employment status to continue living or working in the UAE.
Depart without penalty — leave the country directly under standard procedures, with no overstay fine.

Who Qualifies

The relief covers people whose overstay was caused directly by the flight disruptions from February 28, 2026 onward:

Visa and visit visa holders whose visa expired while waiting for a canceled or suspended flight.
Departure permit (out-pass) holders who exceeded their grace period because flights were grounded.
Cancelled residency permit holders who were in the process of leaving but could not physically depart.

This is not a general amnesty. Anyone already overstaying before February 28, 2026 is not covered.

What Happens After July 9

Once the grace period closes, the UAE’s standard overstay penalties resume:

AED 50 per day accrues from the first day a tourist or visit visa is expired. There is no longer a 10-day grace period for these visa types.
Cancelled residency holders keep their standard grace period before fines begin — typically 30 days for standard employment visas, and up to 180 days for Golden Visa, Green Visa, and MOHRE Skill Level 1 and 2 holders, investors, and students.
An exit permit is required if you overstay by more than 30 days, costing roughly AED 220–320 depending on the emirate.
Unpaid fines are flagged automatically at airport smart gates and can trigger a one-year re-entry ban.

For a full breakdown of how long you can stay and what overstaying costs, see our UAE tourist visa validity guide.

What to Do Before July 9

If you are still in the UAE on an expired or cancelled visa, act within the grace period:

To stay: apply for a visa extension, switch to an employment visa through a sponsor, or apply for a Green or Golden Visa if eligible.
To leave: book your flight and depart before July 9. Search current fares for flights from Dubai on Wego.
If your visa is cancelled, confirm your remaining grace period first — our guide on canceling a UAE visa explains the timelines.

Keep evidence of your canceled or postponed flights. The ICP advises affected travelers to retain proof and present it when exiting or applying for a new visa.

Stranded elsewhere in the Gulf? Our GCC visa overstay and extension guide covers the rules across the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the grace period end?

The 30-day grace period runs from June 10 to July 9, 2026. After that, standard AED 50-per-day overstay fines apply to expired tourist and visit visas.

Do I need to apply to use the grace period?

No. The ICP says beneficiaries do not need to take any preliminary steps. The grace period applies automatically if you were covered by the fine exemption. You only act if you want to regularize your status or leave.

Does it apply if I was already overstaying before February 28?

No. The relief only covers fines caused directly by the flight disruptions that began on February 28, 2026. Pre-existing overstays are not covered.

What if I’m still in the UAE after July 9?

You will start accruing AED 50 per day in overstay fines. Settle any fines at least 48 hours before departure through the ICP Smart Services or GDRFA Dubai portal, or call the ICP helpline at 600 522 222 for guidance on your situation.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.