A Guide to UAE Visit Visa Extension Without Exit

Table of Contents

The UAE is a very popular destination for tourists, business visitors, and those visiting family or friends. Traditionally, visitors had to leave the country and re-enter to extend their visit visa, which became time-consuming and costly. However, recent changes in the UAE’s visa policy now allow visitors to extend their UAE visit visa extension without exit the country, offering a more convenient solution for many.

If you are in the UAE and wish to prolong your visit but do not want to have to exit and re-enter the country, you are in the right place. The article will guide you on the procedure for extending a visit visa in the UAE from outside the country. These are the eligibility criteria, requirements for documents, fees, and step-by-step procedure to apply for a visa.

What is a UAE Visit Visa?

Before getting into the extension process, let’s first understand a UAE visit visa and why you might need to extend it.

A UAE visit visa is a short-term visa granted to tourists, business visitors, or those visiting family and friends. These visas usually allow a stay of 30 or 90 days, depending on the type and the visitor’s nationality. The UAE government has made it easy for people to enter the country for tourism, business, or family visits without going through a lengthy application process.

However, during the initial stay period, visitors may desire to stay longer in the UAE for several reasons, such as spending more time exploring, finishing some business, or continuing to spend time with family. For a long time, one would have to leave the country and then return to obtain an extension of the visit visa. That is not true anymore.

Who is Eligible for a UAE Visit Visa Extension Without Exit

To extend your UAE visit visa without leaving the country, you need to fulfill the following eligibility criteria and conditions:

Valid Passport: The passport should be valid for at least six months from entry into the UAE.

No Overstay Fines: Ensure that you haven’t overstayed your original visa. If you have overstayed, you will be liable to fines, which may affect your visa extension.

Visa Type: Your visit visa should be eligible for an extension. Typically, tourist, business, and family visit visas are eligible for extension without exit.

Apply Before It Expires: You should apply for an extension of your current visa before it expires.

Depending on the specific situation, you can get the extension online through official UAE portals or by visiting the immigration department.

Related Article: Check Sewa Bill in Sharjah

How to Renew Your UAE visit visa extension without exit?

With your eligibility criteria in mind, let’s outline how you can extend your UAE visit visa without departing from the country:

Step 1: Check the Validity of Your Current Visa

Be sure to check the expiration date of your current visa before proceeding with the extension process. The expiry date of your current visa can be located on the actual visa or the entry stamp on your passport.

It would be advisable to apply for an extension at least 5 to 7 days before your visa runs out to avoid such charges and penalties, like fines imposed on overstaying. Applying after your visa has run out will attract penalties and deny you the opportunity to apply.

Step 2: Verify Your Eligibility to Apply for an Extension

As indicated above, not all visit visas qualify for renewal. Ensure your visa qualifies under the eligible category of visas allowed for renewal. Most tourist and family visit visas qualify for renewals with 30-day or 60-day extensions without ever leaving the country. For business visit visas, however, the terms may differ. So, confirm those conditions that will apply specifically to your type of visa.

Step 3: Application Submission

There are several ways to apply for a visa extension without leaving the UAE:

Online: The UAE government offers an online visa extension service through the official website of the UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or the Dubai or Abu Dhabi immigration websites, depending on your location. You can also use authorized travel agencies to submit your application online.

In-Person: If you prefer, you can visit the local immigration office and apply in person. This might be necessary if your visa requires additional documentation or specific circumstances need attention.

Step 4: Pay the Visa Extension Fee

A fee is required to extend your UAE visit visa. The amount varies depending on the extension duration and the visa type. Typically, the extension fee ranges between AED 500 and AED 1,000.

Visa Extension Fees:

30-Day Extension: AED 500 to AED 600.
60-Day Extension: AED 900 to AED 1,000.

This fee is usually non-refundable, so ensure your application is complete and meets all requirements before submitting it.

Step 5: Submit Required Documents

While filling up the application to extend your visit visa, you will need to attach these documents:

A copy of the passport is valid for at least six months.
Copy of the present UAE visit visa.
White background, passport-size, latest photography.
Provide evidence of sufficient funds (if necessary) for extended stays or business travelers.

Other departments may require additional documents like proof of accommodation or return travel tickets, so it would be best to check prior.

Step 6: Wait for Approval

After submitting the application and paying the relevant fees, the immigration authorities will process it. In most instances, the processing time is between 3 to 7 business days; hence, this time frame usually indicates approval. Once it is approved, your visa extension will be processed, and your stay will be legitimized for another period.

Step 7: Collect Your Extended Visa

Once your visa extension is approved, you will receive a new visa stamp in your passport or a visa approval document, depending on the method you used to apply. Be sure to always keep this extension approval with you, as you may need to show it when passing through security or immigration checks.

4. Fees for Extending Your UAE Visit Visa

The cost of extending a UAE visit visa without leaving the country usually encompasses the following:

Application Fee for extension: This is subject to variation depending on whether the extension is 30 or 60 days. So, it may range between AED 500 and AED 1,000.

Overstay Penalties: If you have overstayed your visa before applying for the extension, you will incur fines. These fines are usually charged daily and can add up quickly.

You must apply for your visa extension ahead of time to avoid any overstay penalties.

5. Duration of the UAE Visit Visa Extension

This will typically make you stay longer for 30 to 60 days upon approval by immigration authorities if you have requested it from within the UAE. When the extension has been provided, your visa is essentially canceled, and your new, extended visa shall serve the tenure.

Let’s take note that your visa can also be extended. However, the extensions usually have a maximum of two extensions (pending approval). If you extend it twice, you have to leave the UAE and apply for a fresh visa if you intend to stay longer.

6. Things to Keep in Mind

Apply Early: It’s always best to apply for your extension a few days before your visa expires. This will give you enough time to resolve any issues that may arise.

Avoid Overstaying: Overstaying your visa can cause heavy fines and deportation, so make sure to stay on top of your visa’s expiry date.

Eligibility May Vary: Different nationalities may have different rules for visa extensions, so check the latest information for your specific case.

Conclusion

It has become very easy to extend your visit visa in the UAE without having to leave the country with the new visa system implemented in the UAE. You can come to the UAE for business, tourism, and even family visits; applying for an extension is pretty straightforward if you meet all eligibility requirements, use it quickly, and pay the appropriate fees.

Remember that staying compliant with the visa regulations and avoiding overstay fines would ensure your stay in the UAE is smooth and hassle-free. If you intend to prolong your stay, take proactive action and seek various options regarding extending your visit so you can enjoy everything in the UAE.