Extend Your UAE Visit Visa Without Leaving the Country
Many UAE visit visas can be extended from inside the country. Whether yours can depends on the type of entry permit and the emirate that issued it. Dubai-issued visas go through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, and visas from other emirates go through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
How Long You Can Stay in Total
Tourist entry permits can be extended once or several times, as long as the total stay does not pass 120 days. If you came to visit a relative or friend, or to look for work or set up a business, the total can reach 180 days. Border-area entry permits, truck drivers, and workers on tourist ships and pleasure boats cannot be extended.
Extension Fees
| Authority | Fee | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ICP | Application fee | AED 100 |
| ICP | Extension fee | AED 500 |
| ICP | Extension of certain 14-day visas | AED 250 |
| GDRFA Dubai | Extension fee | AED 600 plus 5% VAT |
| GDRFA Dubai | Inside-country fee | AED 500 |
| GDRFA Dubai | Knowledge and Innovation Dirhams | AED 10 each |
Typing centres may add a service charge on top of these fees.
Who Applies
You cannot file the extension yourself as a visitor. For a tourist visa, the travel agency or tourism company that issued it submits the request. For a visa sponsored by a family member or another individual, the sponsor applies.
Overstay Fine
The overstay fine is AED 50 for each day you remain beyond your permitted stay, and there is no automatic grace period after expiry, so apply for the extension before the visa expires. If you are staying on for a longer visit, our guide to the special 60-day family visa covers another entry option.
