When your UAE visa (whether residency or visit) ends or is cancelled, you are given a visa grace period to exit the country, apply for a new visa or change your visa status. Postponing action during this limit makes you liable for overstay fines of AED 50 a day and could result in legal matters that include being blacklisted or sent home.
If you understand the grace period, you will not face penalties and still be permitted to stay legally in the UAE.
Table of Contents:
- What does a Grace Period mean?
- Within What Grace Periods Can Visas in UAE Be Cancelled (2025)?
- Visa Types and their Graces Periods (according to 2025 rules)
- Tourist/Visit Visa
- Employment Visa
- Golden Visa
- Green Visa
- Investor Visa
- Retirement Visa
- Student Visa
- Women who are Divorced or Widowed
- Learn How You Can Avoid Paying Fines for Overstaying Your UAE Visa
What is a Grace Period?
The law lets you stay in the UAE for a few days after your visa expires or is cancelled before you are charged a penalty. You can spend your time on:
- Leave the country.
- Apply for new visa.
- Change your visa status.
AED 50 will be charged per day if you don’t leave the UAE by the grace period.
UAE Visa Cancellation Grace Periods Table
| Visa Type | Grace Period | Overstay Fine (Per Day) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist/Visit Visa | 0 days | AED 50 | Must exit before expiry. No grace period. |
| Employment Visa | 30 days | AED 50 | Find new job or exit within 30 days. |
| Golden Visa (10-Year) | 180 days (6 months) | AED 50 | Longest grace period; family sponsorship allowed. |
| Green Visa (5-Year) | 180 days (6 months) | AED 50 | For freelancers and skilled professionals. |
| Investor/Partner Visa | 180 days (6 months) | AED 50 | Maintain business ownership to remain valid. |
| Retirement Visa | 180 days (6 months) | AED 50 | For retirees 55+ with property/savings criteria. |
| Student Visa (University) | 180 days (6 months) | AED 50 | Time to change status or exit after graduation. |
| Student Visa (School) | 30 days | AED 50 | Grace period begins after cancellation. |
| Divorced/Widowed Women | 180 days + 1 yr ext. | AED 50 | Self-sponsorship available; 1-time extension possible. |
Grace Period Lengths by Type of Visa (Classified by the 2025 Rules)
- Tourist/Visit Visa
You won’t be billed for 0 days.
You will pay AED 50 each day.
People who have a tourist visa are expected to move out before its expiration. There will be no grace period under the 2025 law. Fines for overstays will start being charged the day after you overstay.
You should move your money out a few days earlier, as system backlogs may cause delays.
2. Employment Visa
The grace period is 30 days.
You will pay AED 50 each day.
Should your work visa be cancelled or come to an end, you will have 30 days to do the following
- Look for a company that will make you an offer and be your sponsor.
- Request a new visa.
- Leaving the country.
3. Golden Visa (10-Year)
You have 180 days from the date of the registration for your grace period.
You will pay AED 50 each day.
When a Golden Visa holder’s visa ends or is cancelled, they have a grace period of 6 months. During this period, you are able to continue your stay in the UAE or apply for exit.
4. Green Visa (5-Year)
You have 180 days from the date of the registration for your grace period.
You will pay AED 50 each day.
Green Visas are specially made for freelancers, those who invest money and skilled expert workers. Similarly to the Golden Visa, you are given 6 months after the stay finishes to leave.
5. Investor/Partner Visa
You have 180 days from the date of the registration for your grace period.
You will pay AED 50 each day.
After learning their visa will be cancelled, entrepreneurs and business partners will have 180 days to choose from options including renewing the visa or selling the business.
6. Retirement Visa
You have 180 days from the date of the registration for your grace period.
You will pay AED 50 each day.
Anyone 55 and older with acceptable savings, property or income has 6 months after their visa expires to leave the country.
7. Student Visa
University students have a total of 180 days.
School students have a period of 30 days to consider any recommendation.
You will pay AED 50 each day.
Once studies are done or a visa is cancelled, students must either change their immigration status or leave the UAE within the grace period.
8. Divorced or Widowed Women (on Husband’s Visa)
First, you have 6 months without making any payments and if you’re eligible, you have another year to extend your grace period.
You will pay AED 50 each day.
Divorced or widowed women can sponsor themselves and get an extra year’s stay immediately after applying.
How to Avoid UAE Visa Overstay Fines
To make sure you are not fined or taken to court:
- Regularly see when your visa expires by accessing the ICA or GDRFA website.
- Check if you are able to renew your visa and do it ahead of expiration.
- Go back to your home country when your grace period is almost over.
- Don’t simply take a verbal promise, get your information from trusted sources instead.
- If you accidentally stay for more than your permit, pass the fine through the airport or immigration counter before leaving the country.
If you stay in the country beyond a year without proper reason, you may be blacklisted and deported.
