Updated Rules! How to Reduce Overstay Fine in UAE 2024

The UAE Government has very strict visa rules. The tourists or visitors must leave UAE on or before the last day of their UAE Visa otherwise they have to pay overstay fine. If you are facing such an issue, you should learn how to reduce overstay fines in UAE and take steps for it.

The overstay fine is charged from an individual who stays in the UAE even after his/her visa validity is over. The overstay fine is charged on per day basis, so it increases everyday.

You can apply for overstay fine reduction to the Immigration Center if you have a valid reason for overstaying in the UAE.

Latest Update: Rules for Overstay Fine in UAE

Earlier, the overstay fine amount in UAE was based on the type of visa and number of days. But the UAE Visa Authorities (ICP and GDRFA) have changed the rules for overstay fine calculation. Now, the overstay fine is same for all types of UAE Visa.

The UAE Overstay Fine is a fixed amount of AED 50 per day for tourist visa, visitor visa, employment visa, residence visa and all types of visa.

How to Check Overstay Fine in UAE

There are two ways to check overstay fine in UAE, the first is online and the second is offline. If the Amer/Immigration Center or Customer Happiness Center is nearby, you should visit the center with your passport & visa to check your overstay fine easily. In case the Immigration Center is not nearby, you should go for the online method.

Check Overstay Fine in Dubai Online

If you have a Dubai Visa then you need to check your overstay fine at GDRFA Dubai website portal. Kindly follow the step-by-step process given below.

1. Go to GDRFA Dubai official website @www.gdrfa.gov.ae.
2. Scroll down to find Fines Inquiry section.
3. Click on Start Service option to open relevant page.
4. Select Passport Number option, then enter your Passport Number.
5. Select your Nationality, enter your Date of Birth and choose your Gender.
6. Tick the security check box “I’m not a robot”, then click on Submit to proceed.
7. Your overstay fine amount will appear on screen.

Check Overstay Fine in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Other Emirates

The GDRFA Dubai website offers Fines Inquiry Service for people having Dubai Visa. If your visa is for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or any other Emirate, you need to visit ICP website portal for checking overstay fine online.

Here I provide the steps to check overstay fine in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah as follows.

1. Go to ICP official website @www.icp.gov.ae.
2. Scroll down to find Smart Services and click on it.
3. Find out Fines – pay fines – violations of entry permissions or residences.
4. Click on Start Service to open relevant web page.
5. Again click on Start Service in FINES – PAY FINES – VIOLATIONS OF ENTRY PERMISSIONS OR RESIDENCES.
6. Enter your Visa File Number, Date of Birth and choose your Nationality.
7. Tick the security check box “I’m not a robot” and click on Search button.
8. Soon you will see the overstay fine charged on you on the screen.

In this way, you can check overstay fine online in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other Emirates of the UAE.

Is It Possible to Reduce Overstay Fine in UAE?

Yes, it is possible to reduce the overstay fine if the person has a valid reason for overstaying in the UAE after visa expiry. The UAE Government allows to overstay with reduced fine if the applicant provides a legal or health related reason with supporting documents.

For Example: If your UAE Visa expired recently but you have to stay in the country for a legal case or a health problem of yourself/family member, you can apply for reduction in overstay fine to UAE Immigration Center.

But remember that the decision to reduce or not to reduce overstay fine will be in the hands of UAE Immigration Authorities. If the authorities reject your request, you will have to pay whole overstay fine amount before you exit UAE.

Minimum Fine Amount to Apply for Overstay Fine Reduction

The Request for Overstay Fine Reduction is acceptable only when your overstay fine in UAE is minimum AED 4000 in Dubai or AED 3000 in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other Emirates. If your overstay fine is lower than minimum fine amount, you are NOT eligible to apply for overstay fine reduction to UAE Immigration Authorities.

Required Documents to Apply to Reduce Overstay Fine

• Original Emirates ID or Unified ID Card (UID)
• Original Passport and A Copy
• Original and A Copy of Visa or Family Visa
• Employment Contract/Agreement (for Residence Visa)
• Exemption Letter or NOC, If Applicable
• Petition Letter from Sponsor/Employer
• Letter of Court or Other Documents Showing Applicant’s Involvement a Legal Case
• Medical Certificate/Report Issued by Health Authority/Ministry to Show Applicant’s Health Condition

UAE Overstay Fine Reduction Procedure Cost

The UAE Overstay Fine Application is not free, you have to pay the application fee. Here I provide the minimum fine amount to be eligible to apply for overstay fine reduction in Dubai and Abu Dhabi or Sharjah. I will also tell you the application fee and approved court payment information.

How to Reduce Overstay Fine in Dubai

1. Find an Immigration Center (Amer Center) or Customer Happiness Center near you.
2. Go to your nearest Amer Center or Customer Happiness Center.
3. Talk to the service executive about your overstay fine issue and request for a fine reduction application.
4. Submit your application with all required documents.
5. Pay the application fee of AED 600 with service charges, if any.
6. Get the receipt and save it as a proof of your application for overstay fine reduction.

How to Reduce Overstay Fine in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah

1. Search for an Immigration Center (Amer Center) or Customer Happiness Center near your location.
2. Visit your nearest Amer Center or Customer Happiness Center.
3. Discuss your issue with an executive at the service center.
4. Provide all supporting documents so that the executive can submit your application for overstay fine reduction.
5. Pay the application fee with service charges and get the receipt.
6. Save the receipt as a proof of your application.

After submitting your application for overstay fine reduction, you will have to wait for 5 to 10 working days. Thereafter you will receive an SMS and/or Email containing a reduced fine amount that you have to pay to clear your account.

It is possible that your application for fine reduction can be rejected by UAE Immigration Authorities. In such circumstances, you have to pay the total overstay fine as charged by respective authorities. If the fine amount is too high and you are unable to pay, consult a lawyer to get a legal advice for your case.

How to Avoid Overstay Fines in UAE

The UAE Government charges overstay fine to tourists, visitors and residents whose UAE Visa is expired. Staying in UAE after visa expiry is illegal and therefore the violators of the law have to pay overstay fine for each day they stay in the UAE after visa expiry. But you can avoid overstay fine in UAE by using two effective ways.

#1. Renew/Extend UAE Visa Before It Expires:

In order to avoid paying overstay fine in UAE, you must apply to renew/extend your UAE Visa before it expires. You should remember your visa expiry date and apply for renewal within 30 days before it expires.

You can renew your tourist/visit visa for 30 or 60 days more after expiry. If you want to stay longer, choose the 60 days option. If you are a residence visa holder, you can renew it for 1 year or longer as supported by your employer/sponsor.

If you renew your UAE Visa before expiry, there is no case of overstaying for you. Therefore the UAE Government cannot charge overstay fine on you till the next expiry date.

#2. Exit the UAE Before Visa Expiry:

In case you do not want to renew your visa then you must exit the UAE country before your visa expires. It is the best way to avoid overstay fine in UAE. If your visa is going to expire and you do not want to extend your visa, book a flight to your home country on or before the UAE visa expiry date.

The overstay fine is charged only if you stay in UAE after the last date of your visa. So, I recommend you to either renew your visa or leave the UAE before your visa expires to avoid overstay fine.

Conclusion:

The Overstay Fine is applicable on all UAE Visa Holders who are staying in UAE even after their visa validity is over. For legal and health causes, the UAE Government accepts the request overstay fine reduction with supporting documents.

If you have overstayed in UAE for legal or health issues, you can apply to reduce overstay fine to the Immigration Authorities. I have shared all important information about how to reduce overstay fine in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and required documents for the application procedure.

In case you have more queries, you can ask them in the comment section. You can also refer the frequently asked questions and their answers that I have shared below.

FAQs