(UNITED ARAB EMIRATES) Tourists and business travelers in the United Arab Emirates can now extend their visit visas without leaving the country, under visitor policy changes that took full shape in 2025 and are now in effect across most short-term categories. The shift, which removes the old practice of “visa runs” to nearby countries, is designed to make trips for tourism, business, medical care, study, and training more flexible while tightening penalties for overstays, especially in Dubai.
How to apply for an extension
Under the updated system, visitors are allowed to apply to extend their visit visas online or in person while they remain inside the UAE.
- Online: Applications can be filed through the ICP Smart Services Portal or mobile app using UAE Pass.
- In person: Applications may be submitted at Amer Centres and Customer Happiness Centres.
This removes the need to exit and re-enter the country just to add more days to a stay, cutting both cost and travel stress for people who want or need extra time.
Extension lengths and limits
Each visa extension generally adds 30 days to the permitted stay. Many common visit visas are first issued for 30, 60, or 90 days, and the new rules let most of these be extended up to two times, creating a maximum stay of 120 days in a year for typical tourist and business visitors.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this expanded flexibility is especially helpful for travelers juggling meetings, events, or family visits that do not fit neatly inside a single 30- or 60-day visit.
Some categories allow longer stays:
- Special visit visas (including the 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa)
- Medical treatment visas
- Job exploration visas
These can now be extended to allow a total stay of up to 180 days. These longer limits support people who need extended time to seek jobs, complete treatment plans, or spend longer periods with family, while still staying on a visit status instead of a residency permit.
Fees and documentation
The new extensions are not free.
- Base fee: 600 AED plus 5% VAT for each extension.
- Additional charges may apply depending on the type of visa and which emirate or authority issued it.
Required documents and steps:
- Upload a copy of the passport and the current visa.
- Pay fees either through the online system or at service centres.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) provides official details on its website at https://icp.gov.ae.
Which visa categories benefit
The policy applies to most short-term visit categories, including:
- Tourism
- Business meetings
- Medical visits
- Study
- Training
Visitors from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can also renew their visit visas once, though these extensions remain subject to approval, reflecting existing border arrangements for GCC citizens.
Officials say these measures support the country’s push to stay attractive for short-term visitors while keeping a tighter record of who is in the country and for how long.
Dubai’s stricter overstay rules
Alongside the new flexibility, Dubai has tightened overstays:
- The emirate has removed the previous 10-day grace period that used to apply after a visit visa expired.
- An overstay fine of 50 AED per day starts immediately once the visa’s final date passes.
In Dubai, there is no grace period after a visa ends. Overstay fines begin immediately at 50 AED per day, so file extensions promptly to avoid accumulating penalties and potential entry restrictions.
Travel agents report that this change has made visitors more careful about checking their visa end dates and filing extension requests early, rather than assuming they have a short buffer after expiry.
Passport validity requirement
To qualify for an extension, a visitor’s passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the visa expiration date being requested.
This means a traveler hoping to reach a maximum stay of 120 days may need to renew their passport sooner than expected if it is already close to expiry. Border and immigration officers stress that this rule is strict, and visitors cannot rely on exceptions at the counter.
Rules for long-term permit holders
Different rules apply to people holding long-term residency-style permits:
- Golden Visa and Green Visa holders and their dependents may stay in the country for up to 180 days after permit expiry before fines start.
- After those 180 days, overstay fines do apply, bringing them in line with enforcement for standard visit visas.
Practical effects and user experience
Travel planners and immigration agents inside the country say the biggest practical effect of the 2025 changes is the end of routine “visa runs” to nearby airports such as Muscat or Bahrain just to reset a visit period.
- Families visiting relatives, small business owners attending trade shows, and people seeking medical care can now extend their visit visas from their hotel room or host’s home.
- The removal of the grace period in Dubai has increased the urgency for timely extension applications.
The process typically follows these steps:
- Log into the ICP Smart Services system with UAE Pass.
- Choose the relevant extension service.
- Upload passport and current visa page.
- Confirm address and contact details.
- Pay the required fee.
Those who prefer face-to-face help can go to Amer Centres or Customer Happiness Centres, where staff submit the application on their behalf. Approval periods may vary, but visitors are strongly advised to apply before their visa end date to avoid daily fines.
Key takeaway: Visitors are welcome to stay longer, but they must do so through official channels and within clear limits.
Current status (as of December 2025)
As of December 2025, the core message from UAE authorities is clear: visitors may extend their stays, but they must use the official online or in-person channels and adhere to the limits.
- Many visitors can extend up to a maximum stay of 120 days in a year.
- Special categories may reach 180 days.
- Ensure passport validity (at least six months beyond the requested extension) and pay the applicable 600 AED + 5% VAT fee per extension.
For travelers, this means more time to finish deals, recover from surgery, attend training, or enjoy family holidays—so long as they keep a close eye on their visa stamp and passport expiry date.
The UAE’s 2025 visitor policy lets tourists and business travelers extend visit visas from inside the country via the ICP Smart Services portal or in person. Most extensions add 30 days and can be used twice for a 120-day annual maximum; some special visas allow up to 180 days. Each extension costs 600 AED + 5% VAT and requires a passport valid at least six months beyond the requested extension. Dubai removed a 10-day grace period and fines 50 AED per day for overstays.
