The United Arab Emirates allows eligible visitors to extend their stay without leaving the country, but the rules differ depending on the visa type. According to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), tourist entry permits are extendable once or multiple times, as long as the cumulative stay does not surpass 120 days. This applies to visitors who wish to prolong their stay in the UAE.
Visit visas issued for the purpose of seeing relatives or friends, as well as those granted for job hunting or setting up a business, carry a higher cap of 180 days in total. However, certain categories are excluded entirely, including border-area entry permits, permits for truck drivers, and those covering workers aboard tourist ships or pleasure boats. The extension application must be submitted by the visa's sponsor, not the visitor personally.
For tourist visas, the travel agency or tourism company that arranged the original visa is responsible for filing the request. Supporting documents may include a valid passport, a personal photograph, and any paperwork submitted at the time of the original visa application. The extension fees under ICP are structured, with a Dh100 application fee and a Dh500 extension fee applying in most cases.
The total amount payable for extending a UAE visa will vary according to the applicant's circumstances and visa category. For example, extensions on certain 14-day visas cost Dh250, while extensions linked to Golden or Blue Residency procedures attract a Dh1,000 fee. Applicants who need to extend the validity of an entry permit before arrival pay Dh50.
Visitors whose visas expire without an approved extension should not assume any grace period applies automatically. The ICP lists an overstay fine of Dh50 per day for exceeding the permitted duration of stay or the validity of an entry permit. This fine applies to visitors who remain in the country beyond their authorised period.
In other news, the UAE introduced a jobseeker visit visa allowing Kenyan professionals and other foreign nationals to enter the country without a sponsor and search for employment. The visa is available for 60, 90 or 120 days, with total costs ranging from about KSh 52,300 to KSh 63,500, including a refundable security deposit and other charges.
To be eligible for the jobseeker visa, applicants must have a bachelor's degree and qualify either as skilled workers in specified professional categories or as recent graduates from universities ranked among the world's top 500. The visa does not permit employment, meaning successful applicants must secure a separate work permit before starting a job in the UAE.
Key points
- The UAE allows eligible visitors to extend their stay without leaving the country, but the rules differ depending on visa type.
- Tourist visa holders can extend their stay for up to 120 days, while visit visas for relatives or job seekers allow up to 180 days.
- Visitors who overstay their UAE visa face a fine of Dh50 per day, with no automatic grace period after expiry.
