UAE Scraps 30-Day Visa Grace Period as New Overstay Fines Take Effect

The UAE has officially terminated the 30-day grace period previously granted to certain visa holders, requiring all visitors to exit the country or renew their status before their permit expires. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) confirmed that the standardisation of visa regulations now applies across all emirates, removing the additional window for stay extension. Fine Structure and Overstay Penalties Travellers who exceed the duration of their entry permit without renewal will face immediate financial penalties. The standard overstay fine in the UAE is AED 50 per day. This penalty applies to both tourists and those on visit visas who fail to amend their status or depart before the printed expiry date on their documents. The move to eliminate the grace period aims to streamline immigration procedures and ensure uniform enforcement of visa durations. Previously, some visa types or entry permits allowed for a 10-day or 30-day buffer, but these discrepancies have been resolved under the unified system. Digital systems at airports and land borders now automatically trigger fines upon the first day of overstay. Impact on Visa-on-Arrival…