Dubai: If you’re having a great time in the UAE on your visit visa, and are looking to extend its duration, you may be able to do so without leaving the country.

Here’s everything you need to know about visit visa extensions, how long you can remain in the UAE, and where to apply.

Can I extend a UAE visit visa?

The UAE allows extensions for eligible visas. The duration and terms of extension depend on the reason why you entered the country – to visit family, to find a job, or to seek business opportunities – and which authority issued your visa.

According to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the visit visa, issued to relatives or friends of a sponsor, can be extended once or multiple times, provided the total duration of stay does not exceed 180 days.

The Jobseeker visit visa, which allows you to explore job opportunities available in the country without seeking a sponsor, can be extended once or multiple times, provided the total duration of stay does not exceed 180 days.

The Business Establishment Exploration Visa, which is a type of visit visa that allows visitors to explore business opportunities and finalise set-up procedures, also can be extended once or multiple times, provided the cumulative duration does not exceed 180 days.

The ICP further states that visit visa entry permits for border areas, truck drivers, workers on tourist ships, and pleasure boats are non-extendable.

Who must extend the UAE visit visa?

Musa Dayani, a Dubai-based public relations officer, said visit visas issued to relatives or friends, must be extended by the sponsor. In the case of jobseekers, or those establishing businesses, the visas can be extended by the visa holders themselves.

For visas granted in Dubai, you can apply for an extension with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA).

What documents do I need to extend a visit visa?

Depending on your visa type, you may be asked to provide additional documents, however the ones listed below are considered standard at the time of application:

  • Passport
  • Personal photograph
  • Documents submitted when the original visa was issued. For instance, in the case of visit visas for relatives and friends, this includes the sponsor’s Emirates ID and passport copy, proof of minimum salary requirement, and proof of accommodation, among other documents.

How much does a visit visa extension cost?

Here is the general fee schedule for visit visas issued in the UAE, according to the ICP:

  • Application fee: Dh100
  • Extension fee: Dh500
  • Request to extend entry permit validity before arrival: Dh150

In the case of Dubai-issued visas, the GDRFA outlines the following fees:

  • Visa extension fee: Dh600
  • Additional fees (if the sponsored person is inside the country): Dh500
  • Knowledge and Innovation Dirham: Dh20
  • VAT: 5%

Is there a grace period for visit visas?

Don’t wait until the visit visa expires, to extend its duration – the process should be completed well in advance. Dayani said: “There is no grace period in place, after visa expiry.”

The ICP imposes an overstay fine of Dh50 per day for visit visa holders who have exceeded the permitted stay duration. 

How do I apply for a visit visa extension?

You can apply for a visit visa extension online through the GDRFA portal, or via an authorised Amer Centre, if you are based in Dubai. If you are based in other emirates, you can do so through the ICP online portal, or via ICP Customer Happiness Centres located around the emirates.

Dubai

Apply online via the GDRFA website:

  • Visit GDRFA’s website at gdrfad.gov.ae and sign in with your UAE PASS.
  • Navigate to ‘Services’, click on ‘Entry Permits’ and ‘Visa Extension’.
  • Here, you can select the type of visitor visa you are on, such as ‘Extending a business visit visa’, or ‘Extending visit visa to explore job opportunities’. If you are sponsoring a friend or relative, you can select ‘Extend friend or relative’s visit visa (single-multi trips)’. Select ‘Start Service’.
  • Next, fill in the application form, including the visitor and sponsor’s information (if applicable), as well as the visit visa’s start and end date.
  • Upload required documents, based on your visa type.
  • Pay the fees. Submit the application.

The processing time is 48 hours, according to the GDRFA, and you will receive a notification via email and SMS.

Apply in-person via an Amer Centre:

Amer Centres are authorised service centres equipped to handle GDRFA related government transactions. You can find a conveniently located Amer Centre at amercentre.ae. Follow these steps to apply in-person:

  • Visit an Amer Centre, collect a ticket and wait for your turn.
  • When your turn is called out, approach a service agent and apply for a visa extension.
  • The agent will assist you in filling out an application form.
  • Submit all required documents.
  • Pay the fees.

You will receive a receipt and transaction number, and can track the progress of your application. You can expect a notification within 48 hours via email and SMS.

Other emirates

Apply online via the ICP website:

  • Visit ICP’s Smart Services portal at icp.gov.ae and sign in with your UAE PASS.
  • Select ‘Services’, navigate to ‘Interactive Services’ and then ‘Visa Extension’.
  • Select the appropriate category from the dropdown menu. In this case, it would be ‘Visitor’. Select ‘Start Service’.
  • Fill in the application form with your personal details, as well as details of your sponsor (if applicable), and your current visit visa permit information.
  • Upload all required documents.
  • Pay the fees and submit the application.

The processing time for the visit visa extension is 48 hours, according to the ICP website. You will receive a notification via SMS and email.

Apply in-person via an ICP Customer Happiness Centre:

You can find a conveniently located ICP Customer Happiness Centre here: icp.gov.ae/en/customer-happiness-centers.

  • Visit a centre, collect a ticket and wait for your turn.
  • When your turn is called out, approach a service agent and apply for a visa extension.
  • The agent will assist you in filling out an application form.
  • Submit all required documents.
  • Pay the fees.

You will receive a receipt and transaction number, and can track the progress of your application. You can expect a notification within 48 hours via email and SMS