A new set of amendments to visit/tourist, and residence visas was approved by the ICP UAE (Federal authority for identity and citizenship, customs, and port security) on October 13. A few changes have been made to the rules related to overstay fines, grace periods, and tourist and residency visas. Both have been explained in detail in this article.
Visit visas and the residency systems in the UAE have undergone big changes. Both residence visa holders and visitors with tourist or visit visas are subject to the same overstay fine this time around. It has also been decided to extend the grace period after visa cancellation to 2, 3, and 6 months.
New Overstay Fine Rules in UAE:
The UAE has implemented a new overstay penalty for both tourist and residency visa holders. According to the latest updates, the fine for overstaying a visa on a visit is halved, while the fine for overstaying a visa on a residence is doubled.
Overstay fine for Tourist/Visit visa holders in UAE:
In the past, tourists who overstayed their visas had to pay 100 AED a day, but now they only have to pay 50 AED. The grace period for a visit/tourist visa is 10 days which is automatically provided to the visa holder upon entry into the UAE. Fines for overstaying visit visas are as follows:
AED 100 for the first day of overstay.
AED 50 for each consecutive day.
AED 50, as service fees.
Overstay Fine for Residence visa holders in UAE:
Previously, residence visa holders who overstayed the visa had to pay a fine of 25 AED per day, which has now increased to 50 AED. Overstaying on a residency visa means paying double instead of 25 AED a
Furthermore, the fine grace period after visa expiry or cancellation has increased as well. Previously, it was 28 days, but it may change to 58 or 88 days. It is mandatory for the visa holder to leave the UAE or change status within the grace period. By exceeding the number of days allowed, the residency holder becomes a violator and will be charged 50 AED per day.
Extended Grace Period as per the updated rule in UAE:
Another significant change made by GDRFAD was the extension of the grace period after a visa has been cancelled. The grace period for residency visas after visa cancellation or expiry used to be 28 days, but now it can be 58 days or 88 days. As per the professions mentioned in the visa, the grace period has been explained below.
6 Months (180 days )Grace Period:
The following professions will have 180 days (6 months) of grace after their visas are cancelled. These professions come under categories 1 and 2 or skill levels 1 and 2.
List of professions at Skill Level 1:
Golden visa holders, green residency visa holders, widows and divorcees, and students who have finished their studies are all skill-level 1 professional. The following is a full list of professions at skill level:
1. Accountants
2. Accounts Clerk
3. Administration Officer
4. Advertising designer
5. Clinicians
6. Doctors
7. Draughtsman
8. Engineer
9. Executive Secretary
10. Finance Manager
11. Graphics Designer
12. HR Officer
13. Lawyers
14. Management Staff
15. Marketing Specialist
16. Pharmacist
17. Physicians
18. Professors
19. Public Relations Officer
20. Quantity Surveyor
21. Reservation Officer
22. Sales Manager
23. Surgeons
24. Teachers
List of professions at Skill Level 2 (Having a diploma):
1. Architectural Technicians
2. Technicians
3. Telecom Technicians
4. Web Developers
5. Auto Mechanics
6. Computer Operator
7. Mechanics
8. Software Developers
3 Months (90 Days) Grace Period:
1. Administration Clerk
2. Archive Clerk
3. Call centre agents
4. Cash Desk Clerk
5. Cashier
6. Clerk Assistant
7. Customer Service Representative
8. Customs Clearing Agent
9. Customs Clearing Clerk
10. Customs Representative
11. Documentation In charge
12. Documents Controller
13. Property Owners
14. Receptionist
15. Sales Executive
16. Sales Representative
17. Sales Staff
18. Sales Supervisor
19. Site Supervisor
20. Storekeeper
21. Switch Board Operator
22. Ticketing Clerk
23. Tourist Guide
1 or 2 Months (30 to 60 Days) Grace Period:
1. Barber (Hairdresser)
2. Beauty Saloon
3. Blue-collar worker
4. Cleaner
5. Construction worker
6. Domestic staff
7. Drivers
8. Labourer
9. Loading & Unloading workers
10. Messenger
11. Nannies & Maids
12. Office Boy
13. Office Girl
14. Ordinary Labourer
15. Painters
16. Plumber
17. Steel Fixer
18. Other General Labours
The new rule clarifies that some may get a 1 month grace period, some may get 6 months, and some may get 3 months.
This concludes our guide to the grace period in the UAE. Let us know how much grace period you received when your visa expired or was cancelled. Feel free to comment below or email us at info@arablocal.com if you have any questions.
Also Read:
Complete Guide About UAE Overstay Fine | Grace Period | How To Pay Overstay Fine Online 2022
Overstay Fines In UAE Are Reduced For Tourists But Increased For Residents