How to Check Grace Period after Visa Cancellation
The Grace Period is a time period given to every UAE visa holder after his/her visa is cancelled or expired. During this period, the visa holder needs to either renew the visa or exit the country. If the visa holder fails to do any of these, the UAE government will charge overstay fine and the visa holder has to pay it.
Every expat resident can stay in the UAE during the grace period after cancelling the work visa or employment visa. There are many types of visa issued by UAE. Each visa type has a different grace period after it is cancelled by the authority. So, it is important to know the grace period for your visa type.
How to Check Grace Period after Visa Cancellation in Dubai
If your visa was issued by GDRFA Dubai, you can check the grace period after visa cancellation online at GDRFA website. Kindly follow the steps given below to check the grace period of your Dubai visa.
- Go to GDRFA Dubai official website @www.gdrfad.gov.ae.
- Find and Click on Visa Status to open relevant page.
- Select Search by Application or File or Over the Counter Service Applications or Special Requests or Establishments.
- Enter required information correctly.
- Tick the box I’m not a robot and click on Search button.
- Your Visa Status with cancellation date and Grace Period will appear on screen.
How to Check Grace Period after Visa Cancellation in UAE
If your UAE visa was issued by Federal Authority (ICP) then you can check the grace period after visa cancellation online at ICP Smart Services web portal. Go through the steps mentioned below to check your grace period online.
- Go to ICP Smart Services website portal @smartservices.icp.gov.ae.
- Scroll down and click on Public Services to open relevant web page.
- Now, click on File Validity option.
- Tick the GCC Citizen box if your home country is Bahrain or Kuwait or Oman or Qatar or Saudi Arabia.
- Select Search by File Number or Passport Information.
- Select the Type as Residency or Visa or Emirates ID.
- Enter all required information correctly.
- Tick the box I’m not a robot and click on Search button.
- Your Visa Status, cancelling date and grace period will be shown on screen.
In this way, you can check the grace period after visa cancellation online in UAE to know how many days you can stay in the UAE. If you want to stay after the grace period, you should apply for visa renewal or a new visa with required documents.
How to Check Grace Period for Visit Visa UAE
The process to check grace period is same for all types of visa in UAE. If you have a visit visa or visitor visa or tourist visa, you do not need to check the grace period. Because the UAE government does not provide any grace period to visit/visitor visa holders.
UPDATE: No Grace Period for Visitor Visa Holders in UAE
Earlier, there was a rule to offer a grace period of 10 days to visitor visa holders in UAE. But the UAE government changed that rule in mid 2023. As per new rules, the visitor visa holders do not get any grace period after their visa is cancelled or expired.
Grace Period for Different Visa Types
The UAE Government provides different grace periods for different visa types. So, the number of days you get as a grace period depends upon the type of UAE visa you have.
Tourist Visa or Visit Visa or Visitor’s Visa
The tourist visa holders do not get any grace period after visa cancellation in UAE. So, the grace period for UAE tourist visa or visit visa is zero days.
Residence Visa or Work Visa or Employment Visa
The foreign citizens can work in UAE by obtaining residence visa or work visa or employment visa. If your residence visa is cancelled or expired, you get a grace period of 90 days (3 months).
Golden Visa or Green Visa or Investor Visa
The UAE government issues golden visa to highly talented foreign citizens. So, the residents with golden visa or green visa or investor visa have a special status in UAE. Therefore the UAE government provides a grace period of 180 days (6 months).
Retirement Visa or Student Visa
The people of 55 years or older can get retirement visa in UAE with 5-year validity. The foreign students can obtain student visa for higher studies in UAE with 1-year validity. If your retirement visa or student visa is cancelled/expired, you get a grace period of 180 days (6 months).
Divorced Women and Widows
A divorced woman on residence visa sponsored by her husband gets a grace period of 180 days (6 months). The UAE government provides six month grace period to divorced women and widows after their visa is cancelled or expired.
Visa Extension for Divorced Women and Widows
The divorced women and widows get one year extension in their UAE residence visa. The grace period starts after visa cancellation/expiry. So, the divorced women and widows get visa extension and 6-month grace period after visa cancellation in UAE.
In this way, the UAE residents (expats) get a grace period of 30 days to 180 days.
How to Extend the Grace Period after Visa Cancellation
No, you cannot extend the grace period after visa cancellation. It means that you have to exit the country before the grace period ends. If you want to stay in UAE after visa cancellation, you should apply for visa renewal to GDRFA Dubai or ICP authority.
What will happen If I Stay in UAE after the Grace Period?
You will get charged with overstay fine if you stay in UAE after the grace period. For all types of UAE visa, the overstay fine is AED 50 per day. In case you are in UAE after the grace period days, you will have to pay overstay fine for each day before you exit the country.
- Mandatory Overstay Fine after Grace Period: AED 50 Per Day
If you want to stay in UAE after the grace period, you should apply for visa renewal. It will save you from overstay fine and legal consequences.
Wrapping Up
At the end, I suggest you to check a grace period after visa cancellation in UAE and leave the country during the grace period. Do not overstay in UAE as it affects your reputation and the UAE government may not provide a new visa in future.
I have explained the process for checking a grace period after visa cancellation in Dubai and other Emirates of UAE. You can ask your queries in the comment section and expect a reply in 24-48 hours. Kindly check the FAQs and their answers given below.
FAQs
How long can I stay in UAE after my visa is cancelled?
You can stay for a grace period of 90 days in UAE after your visa is cancelled.
What is the grace period after golden visa cancellation?
The grace period after golden visa cancellation is 180 days. So, the expats with UAE golden visa can stay in the country for six months after visa cancellation.
How long is a grace period for tourist/visitor visa?
There is No grace period for tourist/visitor visa in UAE. If your visitor visa is cancelled or expired, you should immediately leave the country.
Can I check my visa grace period by passport number?
Yes, you can check your visa grace period by passport number at ICP Smart Services portal @smartservices.icp.gov.ae.
Can I leave UAE without cancelling my residence visa?
Yes, you can leave UAE without cancelling your residence visa but I never recommend this. Because the UAE government may put a ban on you and you will not get UAE visa in near future.
