The UAE has come up with visa types, which is great news for long-stay tourists, jobseekers, professionals, star students and high-net-worth individuals. Authorities have declared that tourists who want to stay in UAE beyond the validity of their visa will now have to pay a fine of Dh50 per day instead of Dh100. But, if someone is found to be overstaying on a residency permit, then the fine has increased from Dh25 per day to Dh50. The changes are in accordance with the new UAE entry and residence visa rules, enacted on October 3. Earlier, the fine was based on the kind of visa that had expired.

A spokesperson from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security said, “The new system unified the number of overstay fines to Dh50 per day for any type of visa violator, The overstay fine payment can be paid either by visiting happiness centers or online through the authority website and smart application.”

The number of days spent on requesting documents or updating information is included in the days for the fine. If an application for renewing the visa is initiated, but the legal and required documents are not uploaded within 30 days, or the false documents are uploaded more than three times, the application is rejected, and a new one must be started.

Residency visa holders get a six-month grace period, in which they can either move out of the country or change their status once their permit is cancelled or expired. Beyond this, it is illegal to stay in the UAE, and one can get arrested for non-complying with the visa rules. The concerned authorities can arrest the offender after 30 days without a visa renewal for expired visit visas. In addition, regular inspection campaigns are carried out to catch offenders.

The new UAE visa rules allow tourists and other visitors to stay for 60 days at a time. The impressive modification approved by the Cabinet in April to increase the duration for all entry visas to 60 days is one among the series of visa changes.

Earlier, there was no particular visa available for tourists, and those people who wished to visit the UAE had to unnecessarily apply for 30-day, 60-day or 90-day visit visas. Although one, two and three-month duration entry permits are yet available on a new visa, especially for those wishing to visit relatives in the country, which needs documents as evidence of the relationship and purpose for a visit. All entry visas are easily available for single or multiple entries and can be renewed for 60 days.