UAE reduces overstay fines for tourists, visit visa holders

Millions of tourists arrive in the UAE each month. Picture for illustrative purposes only.

PHOTO BY ARCHIVE

UAE reduces overstay fines for visit visa holders

The UAE has reduced by half the fine for overstaying tourist visa holders or visit visa holders, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security announced.

Holders of tourist visa or visit visa who overstay their visa in the country will now pay a fine of Dh50 per day instead of Dh100.

The change was implemented since October 3 when the UAE imposed a wide-ranging reform of its visa laws to attract more visitors to the country. In Dubai alone, the total number of visitors to the emirate from January to May this year was 6.1 million.

According to a spokesperson for the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, “the new system unified the amount of overstay fines to Dh50 per day for any type of visa violator.”

“The overstay fine payment can be paid either by visiting happiness centres or online through the authority website and smart application,” the spokesperson added.

ALSO READ: UAE doubles fine for residence visa violators

Days spent processing documents or updating information are counted in the days accumulating the fine.

If an application to renew the visa is started, but the correct documents are not uploaded within 30 days, the application will be revoked, and a new one must be started.

Once the permission has been canceled or expired, applicants have a six-month grace period to leave the country or change their status. Staying in the UAE after this becomes a crime.

Without a visa renewal, an offender with an expired visit visa or tourist visa can be arrested after 30 days. Inspection campaigns are regularly carried out to catch offenders.

The new UAE visa restrictions, which went into force in October, allow visitors to stay in the country for up to 60 days. BKM/ICA/ Expat Media

ALSO READ: UAE increases tourist visa validity to 60 days 

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