Extending a UAE Visit Visa in 2026: Inside-Country Extension, Status Change, Oman Exit and Overstay Fines

Extending a UAE Visit Visa - 2026 Quick Answer

Many UAE visit and tourist visas can be extended from inside the country, but not all. The sponsor that issued the visa applies, and the issuing authority decides: GDRFA for Dubai-issued visas, ICP for the rest. Caps on the official service cards as of 4 November 2026:

• Tourist visas: up to 120 days in total.
• Relative or friend visits: 120-180 days in total depending on the authority, so confirm first.
• Job-exploration visas: up to 180 days in total.
• The 14-day visa for certain nationalities: once.
• The 60-day version and border-area permits: no extension.

Overstaying costs AED 50 a day, with no grace period to count on. Without an extension, the options are leaving on time, a new visa from inside, or exiting (often to Oman) for a new visa, and none is guaranteed. Visarun is an agency: we help compare options and prepare documents, while ICP or GDRFA decides.

Who Can Extend - Rules by Visa Type and Issuer

Tourist visas

ICP and GDRFA Dubai both allow one or more tourist visa extensions, decided by the issuing authority, up to 120 days in total. In Dubai only accredited tourism offices issue this visa, so the request goes back through that office.

Family and friend visits

GDRFA Dubai allows up to 180 days in total. ICP's extension card also says 180, but its issuance card says 120. Plan on 120-180 days depending on the authority and confirm with the issuer first.

The 14-day and 60-day visas for certain nationalities

These cover nationals of India, Kenya, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and South Africa holding a residence permit, valid at least six months, from the US, EU, UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. Indians also qualify with a valid US visa. The 14-day stay can be extended once for the same period. The 60-day stay cannot.

90-day visa-free entry and the 5-year visa

US citizens get 90 days within 180 days from first entry, non-renewable according to the UAE Embassy in Washington. British visitors get the same 90-in-180 rule, and the UK government refers those wanting longer to GDRFA or ICP, listing no fee. The 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa allows 90 days per visit plus a further 90, according to the UAE government portal.

Airline-issued visas

Airlines arrange tourist visas on their own conditions, such as flying with them, and we could not verify any airline's extension policy as of November 2026. According to applicant reports on Reddit in November 2026, a visitor on an Emirates visa issued through VFS was told it could not be extended without leaving, and an Amer centre said only the issuer could extend it. If the sponsor offers no extension, the options are leaving on time or a new visa through another sponsor.

Extension Fees and How to Apply

As listed on the official service cards on 4 November 2026, and subject to change:

ICP

• Application fee for any extension: AED 100
• Entry permit extension: AED 500
• One-time extension of the 14-day certain-countries visa: AED 250, plus the application fee

ICP requests go through the ICP smart app or website with UAE Pass. Applicants typically need the passport, a photo and the documents used for the original visa. ICP lists 2 days.

GDRFA Dubai

• Tourist visa extension: AED 600 plus 5% VAT
• In-country fee if the person is inside the UAE: AED 500
• Knowledge Dirham and Innovation Dirham: AED 10 each

That is about AED 1,150 if every item applies, by our arithmetic, and GDRFA notes the total may vary with the sponsored person's circumstances. Requests go through GDRFA smart services (UAE Pass or a username) or an Amer centre, 48 hours.

For the 14-day visa, Dubai's GDRFA lists AED 600 plus VAT on an older card, while ICP lists AED 250 plus AED 100. The issuing authority confirms the fee.

Changing Status Without Leaving the Country

A status change is not an extension but a move to a new visa without leaving, such as a new tourist visa or, after a job offer, residence. ICP says a tourist entry permit can only be cancelled after entry as part of a status-adjustment application, after which a new visa is issued.

• ICP Change of Status: AED 500, once the previous permit is cancelled and a new visa is issued
• GDRFA status amendment: AED 500, AED 10, AED 10 and AED 15 (individual sponsor) or AED 50 (company)
• New Dubai single-entry tourist visa: AED 200 for 30 days or AED 300 for 60 days, plus 5% VAT
• Applying from inside the UAE: GDRFA adds an AED 500 in-country fee plus AED 10 and AED 10

No official single total exists, since the bill depends on the new visa and the emirate. A new Dubai tourist visa needs a licensed tourism sponsor, so a visitor whose sponsor will not extend can ask another. Visarun helps check which visa fits and prepare documents, and approval is not guaranteed.

Exiting to Oman and Re-Entering on a New Visa

Some visitors leave the UAE, usually for Oman, and return on a new UAE visa. A single-entry visa is used up on exit, the new visa is a fresh decision, and re-entry is not guaranteed.

According to applicant reports on Reddit in October 2026, tour companies told one single-entry visitor she could not return after a Musandam day trip, and an Italian asked whether a same-day drive could bring a new 60-day visa. No official source confirms such a return.

For US and UK visitors, the 90 days count within 180 days from first entry, so a trip out does not reset them.

Entering Oman

• List 1, including Italy, the UK and the USA: 14 days visa-free, not extendable or convertible to residence.
• India and other List 2 countries: the same 14 days only with a valid US, Canadian, Australian, UK, Japanese or Schengen visa or residence, or GCC residence in an approved profession.
• Pakistan: on neither Omani list as of 4 November 2026, so a visa is needed first.
• The Philippines: the foreign ministry and Royal Oman Police lists disagree, so we recommend checking the ROP eVisa portal first.

Oman's foreign ministry (updated 22 September 2026) also expects a return ticket, a confirmed hotel, health insurance and enough funds.

Omani visas and border crossings

The ROP eVisa FAQ says road travellers apply online before reaching any legal border, ideally 4 days ahead, and payment does not guarantee a visa. Visa types 29A and 29B are only for GCC residents, and the undated FAQ's Dubai/Oman joint visa route may be outdated.

The sponsored tourist visa is open to all nationalities through licensed tourism companies. It lasts 30 days and is extendable for a similar period, at OMR 5 for 10 days or OMR 20 for 30 days, according to Oman's government portal (updated August 2025).

Gulf News reported in May 2026, writing for UAE residents, that drivers pay an AED 35 exit fee at the UAE border post and that Oman's Orange Card insurance starts at about AED 106 for five days. Crossings include Hatta/Al Wajajah, Khatmat Milaha, Al Darah, Dibba and Mezyad. Fees can change.

Grace Period, Overstay Fines and Exit Permits

ICP and the UAE government portal list AED 50 for each day after the permitted stay ends, for visit, tourist and residence visas alike. After paying, the person adjusts status or leaves.

ICP refers only to the grace period applicable to each permit type and gives no number of days for visitors. Gulf News advised in September 2026 not to assume one, and according to The National, Dubai dropped its 10-day grace for visit visas in 2023. We recommend planning without one.

Exit permits

• ICP: AED 200 plus an AED 100 smart services fee, departure within 7 days, then AED 50 a day from the 8th day after the permit lapses.
• GDRFA Dubai: AED 241, a ticket within 7 days, 48 hours, with Amer centres and the Hatta land port among the channels.

Both require all outstanding fines to be paid for a regular exit permit. GDRFA's card says unpaid fines lead to an iris record "with permanent deprivation", in practice a bar on returning. The term is not defined, so it is worth checking with GDRFA.

If you cannot pay

According to applicant reports on Reddit in November 2026, people in financial hardship ask about fines and an ICP exit permit. GDRFA accepts waiver or reduction requests (AED 15.75 for individual sponsors) with a passport copy and a letter explaining the violation and inability to pay. A Fines Committee decides, with no guarantee.

Job Seekers - What a Visit Visa Allows

A visit visa covers looking for a job, not doing one. Work needs a work permit. GDRFA tells visitors not to work except under UAE legislation, and the UK government warns that working on a visit visa risks a fine, prison and deportation.

The jobseeker visit visa

The UAE government portal (updated 28 September 2026) describes a one-trip visa of 60, 90 or 120 days with no host needed. Applicants typically need MOHRE skill level 1, 2 or 3 or a top-500 university degree from the last 2 years, plus a bachelor's degree and a financial guarantee. GDRFA Dubai lists:

• AED 200, 300 or 400 for 60, 90 or 120 days, plus 5% VAT
• Security deposit: AED 1,000
• From inside the UAE: AED 500 plus AED 10 and AED 10

GDRFA can extend it up to 180 days in total at AED 600 plus VAT and the in-country fees. After a job offer, the employer handles the work permit and status change inside the UAE. On a residence entry permit, ICP expects procedures finished within 60 days of entry, or fines apply.

Recent Changes (2025-2026)

• 25 June 2026: ICP opened the certain-countries visa, previously for Indians, to Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa. The 14-day visa costs AED 100 and can be extended once, the 60-day visa AED 250 and cannot.
• 4 March 2026: ICP waived overstay fines from 28 February 2026 for visit and tourist visa holders unable to leave because of the airspace closure.
• 10 June to 9 July 2026: a final 30-day grace period for those exempted, Gulf News reported. It has ended, and AED 50 a day applies again.
• August 2026: Oman introduced a free 14-day tourist visa (Official Gazette No. 1659) for nationals of countries the authority designates, swappable before expiry for another category at its fee. No country list could be found as of 4 November 2026.

As checked on 4 November 2026, ICP's media centre showed no new extension or overstay rule after 25 June 2026.

FAQ

Can I extend my UAE visit visa without leaving?

Often, if the visa allows: tourist visas up to 120 days, job exploration 180, family visits 120-180 depending on the authority. The sponsor applies, and GDRFA or ICP decides.

How much does a Dubai tourist visa extension cost?

GDRFA lists AED 600 plus 5% VAT, plus AED 520 in items charged inside the UAE, about AED 1,150 in total, though it can vary. ICP lists AED 500 plus AED 100.

Is there a grace period after a visit visa expires?

No official number of grace days for visitors is published. Fines of AED 50 a day run from the day after the permitted stay ends.

Do I need a 30-day gap between two tourist visas?

No official rule requiring a gap could be found. According to applicant reports on Reddit in November 2026, an ICP call-centre agent told one visitor none is needed, which is a report, not a rule.

Can Indians enter Oman visa-free from the UAE?

Only with a valid US, Canadian, Australian, UK, Japanese or Schengen visa or residence, or GCC residence in an approved profession, for up to 14 days. Others need an Omani visa first.

Can the 14-day visa for Indians be extended?

Once, for the same period, at AED 250 plus AED 100 under ICP. An older GDRFA card shows AED 600 plus VAT.

What if I cannot pay my overstay fines?

GDRFA accepts waiver or reduction requests (AED 15.75 for individual sponsors), with no guarantee. Its card says unpaid fines lead to an iris record "with permanent deprivation", so it is worth asking GDRFA first.

Can I work in the UAE on a visit visa?

No. Work needs a work permit, and working on a visit visa is punishable.