Quick summary
As of December 4, 2025, the UAE allows holders of 30-day and 60-day tourist, business, medical, training, and family visit visas to extend their stay from within the country via the ICP online portal. The flat fee is AED 600 plus 5% VAT, with processing taking 1–3 days. No 10-day grace period exists—overstay fines of AED 50 per day apply immediately upon expiry.
Tourist visas can be extended once or multiple times up to a maximum of 120 days total, or 180 days per calendar year. Applications require passport copies, accommodation proof, return tickets, and must be filed at least 5 days before the current visa expires.
The UAE has eliminated the border-run requirement for most short-term visitors. Travelers on 30-day or 60-day tourist, business, medical, training, or family visit visas can now apply for extensions without leaving the country—a policy shift that took effect on December 4, 2025.
The change removes the logistical burden and cost of flying to Oman, Bahrain, or another neighboring country to reset visa status. Extensions are processed online through the official ICP (Identity and Citizenship Portal) at icp.gov.ae, with approval typically granted within 1–3 days.
The policy applies to most nationalities, including travelers from the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It does not cover certain free-zone entry permits or holders of Golden, Green, or residency visas, who retain separate grace periods.
How the in-country extension works
The extension process is entirely digital. Applicants log into the ICP portal or mobile app, upload required documents—passport copy with at least 6 months validity, current visa, accommodation booking, return or onward flight ticket—and pay AED 600 plus 5% VAT. Processing takes 1–3 days, with real-time tracking via SMS or email.
Extensions match the original visa duration: a 30-day visa extends by 30 days, a 60-day visa by 60 days. Tourist visas can be extended multiple times, but total stay cannot exceed 120 days in a single stretch or 180 days per calendar year. The system flags applications that breach these limits.
| Visa type | Extension duration | Fee (AED) | Max total stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day tourist | 30 days | 600 + VAT | 120 days |
| 60-day tourist | 60 days | 600 + VAT | 120 days |
| 90-day tourist | 90 days | 600 + VAT | 180 days/year |
| Business/medical/training | Matches original | 600 + VAT | Varies by type |
There is no grace period. The previous 10-day buffer was removed under the new rules. Overstay fines of AED 50 per day begin accruing the moment a visa expires, making it critical to file extensions at least 5 days before the expiry date.
Flight deals
most people never see
Our AI monitors 150+ airlines for pricing anomalies that traditional search engines miss. Air Traveler Club members save $650 per trip per person on average: see how it works.
Each deal saves 40–80% vs. regular fares:
What this replaces—and what it costs
Before December 2025, extending a UAE tourist visa required a border run: a same-day flight to Muscat or Manama, an overnight stay, and a return flight the next morning. The logistics alone cost AED 500–1,000 per trip—budget airline tickets, hotel, ground transport—plus the time lost to travel.
The new AED 600 flat fee is cheaper and eliminates the friction. For digital nomads, retirees wintering in Dubai, or families visiting relatives, the ability to extend online without leaving the country removes a major planning headache.
The policy also pairs with expanded visa-on-arrival eligibility introduced in 2025. Indian and Pakistani nationals holding US green cards, UK residency, or Schengen visas now qualify for UAE visa-on-arrival, reducing the need for pre-approved visas. Combined with in-country extensions, this opens the UAE to longer, more flexible stays for a broader traveler base.
Remote workers can bypass the 120-day tourist visa cap entirely by applying for the UAE’s 2-year Remote Work Visa, which requires proof of $3,500 monthly income and health insurance. That option suits those planning extended stays beyond the tourist visa framework.
For travelers routing through Dubai or Abu Dhabi on their way to Asia-Pacific destinations, the extension policy makes multi-week stopovers more practical. Flights to the UAE from Europe often include long layovers—this policy turns a connection into a deliberate visit without the border-run penalty.
Steps to extend your UAE visa online
The UAE’s in-country extension policy removes the border-run requirement, but the application must be filed before your current visa expires—overstay fines begin immediately with no grace period.
- Check eligibility first: Log into icp.gov.ae and use the visa status tool to confirm your visa type qualifies. Free-zone permits and some business visas are excluded.
- Gather documents 7 days out: You need a passport scan (6+ months validity), current visa copy, UAE accommodation booking, return or onward flight ticket, and health insurance if requested. Missing documents delay approval.
- File via ICP portal or app: Upload documents, pay AED 600 plus 5% VAT digitally, and submit. Processing takes 1–3 days with SMS/email tracking. Do not wait until the last 48 hours.
- Download and carry the updated permit: Once approved, save a digital copy to your phone or print it. Police checks are common in tourist areas—your updated visa is proof of legal status.
- Track your annual total: Tourist visas cap at 180 days per calendar year across all visits. The ICP system flags breaches automatically, but you should track your own days to avoid rejected extensions mid-trip.
Watch: The UAE is expected to announce further visa liberalization in Q2 2026, potentially expanding the Remote Work Visa eligibility or introducing a 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa for additional nationalities.
Questions? Answers.
Does this apply to Dubai free-zone visas?
No. Some free-zone-sponsored entry permits are excluded from the in-country extension policy. If your visa was issued through a Dubai or Abu Dhabi free zone, verify eligibility on the ICP portal before applying. Golden Visa and Green Visa holders retain their 180-day grace period and do not use this extension process.
What if my passport has fewer than 6 months of validity?
The ICP portal will reject your extension application. UAE immigration requires at least 6 months of passport validity for all visa extensions, regardless of the extension duration. Renew your passport before filing the extension request.
Can I extend my tourist visa beyond 120 days?
No. Tourist visas cap at 120 days total per visit, though you can make multiple visits up to 180 days per calendar year. For longer stays, apply for the UAE’s 2-year Remote Work Visa, which requires proof of $3,500 monthly income and health insurance, or explore Golden Visa eligibility if you meet investment or professional criteria.
What happens if I overstay my visa by accident?
Overstay fines of AED 50 per day begin accruing immediately upon visa expiry—there is no grace period under the new rules. If you overstay, you must pay the accumulated fine when exiting the UAE or applying for a new visa. Repeated overstays can result in entry bans.
Can I apply for an extension after my visa has already expired?
No. The ICP portal only accepts extension applications filed before the current visa expires. If your visa has already expired, you cannot extend it—you must exit the UAE, pay any overstay fines, and apply for a new visa if you wish to return.
