UAE tourist visa - special grace period ends today (9)

The special grace period granted to United Arab Emirates (UAE) tourist visa holders is set to expire today (July 09). This special period was introduced with the aim of providing relief to tourists stranded in the country due to disruptions in regional flights, giving them additional time to regularize their visa status.

Last month, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) announced this 30-day grace period. Accordingly, individuals who were unable to leave the country due to regional airspace closures and flight cancellations, and thus received a temporary exemption from overstay fines, must resolve their visa issues or exit the country before July 09.

Travel agents indicate that there are several main options available for tourists facing this situation. These options include regularizing their tourist visa status if they meet the eligibility criteria, promptly completing the relevant visa procedures if they have secured employment, or exiting the UAE before the given period ends. It is also reported that some individuals have already left the country, while others are in the process of completing their employment-based visa change procedures.

However, experts emphasize that this special grace period should not be confused with the general residence visa grace period. This grace period does not apply to individuals with expired or cancelled residence visas. Therefore, it is extremely important for all tourists benefiting from this grace period not to wait until the last moment, but to check their visa status as soon as possible through an Amer center or the relevant immigration authorities and take the necessary next steps.