The new initiative provides reprieve and relief to over-stayers.
The UAE has introduced a two-month visa amnesty starting September 1st, offering relief to those who have overstayed their visas. During this grace period, individuals whose visas have expired can regularise their status without facing hefty fines, exit fees, or travel bans.
Announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, this new policy covers all types of visas, including tourist and residency visas. Even individuals without documentation can fix their status during this amnesty period.
Decision-makers met in Abu Dhabi to finalise the procedures, and on August 28th, the new rules were confirmed in a press conference. This is a welcome move for those who may have missed renewing their visas, providing a chance to address their status without penalty.
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the UAE government announced the introduction of a grace period for visa violators as an act of compassion. The post by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) stated, “This initiative offers violators a fresh opportunity to regularise their status in line with the law, reflecting the UAE’s values of compassion and tolerance.”
Last year, the UAE standardised the overstay fines at AED 50 per day for expired resident, tourist, or visit visas, down from the previous AED 100 per day penalty.
