What changed with the June 2026 grace period?
Earlier in 2026, ICP waived overstay fines for people who could not leave the UAE because of regional airspace closures and flight suspensions. In June that blanket relief was replaced by a final 30-day window, from 10 June to 9 July 2026, to leave or regularise status without fines. The window has now closed. For the current position, see what applies now that the waiver has ended.
| Before | During the window | After 9 July |
|---|---|---|
| Overstay fines waived for people stranded by the airspace closures | Final window to leave or regularise status without fines, 10 June to 9 July 2026 | Standard overstay rules, with a fine of AED 50 a day |
What did employers and travel managers have to do?
Companies with visitors, contractors or staff who had relied on the waiver had to identify each case, decide whether the person would leave or change status, and book exits or submit the status change before the window closed. Cases that were not settled in time moved to normal enforcement, which means fines that add up daily and possible problems with future entry or visa issuance.
Where can you check an individual case?
Eligibility for a status change depends on visa type, entry emirate and immigration record, so each case needs to be checked through the official ICP or GDRFA Dubai channels. Our guide to the UAE overstay fine explains how fines are calculated and paid, and the report on who qualified for the waiver covers the eligibility rules.
