UAE Visa Expiry Countdown Tool 2026

UAE Visa Types Comparison — Duration, Grace Period, Renewal Cost

UAE Visa Grace Period Options Comparison

1. 1

   Notify your employer HR / PRO 60 days before expiry

   UAE employment visas are renewed by your employer's PRO (Public Relations Officer). Give at least 60 days' notice to allow time for government processing. Provide your employer with: passport copy, current visa copy, Emirates ID copy, and any updated qualifications or bank statements they request. Some employers initiate renewal automatically — confirm the process with your HR team.

   Cost: No cost to employee (typically employer-paid)Time: Day 60 before expiry
2. 2

   Complete medical fitness test

   All UAE residency visa holders must complete a medical fitness test (blood test for communicable diseases + chest X-ray for TB screening) as part of the renewal process. The test is conducted at MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention) or DHA-approved medical testing centres throughout Dubai. Results are typically available within 24–48 hours. Ensure you are medically fit — any communicable disease findings can result in visa refusal.

   Cost: AED 200–400 (employer may cover)Time: Day 45–50 before expiry
3. 3

   Emirates ID renewal (submitted simultaneously)

   Emirates ID renewal is processed simultaneously with visa renewal by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Your PRO submits both the visa renewal and Emirates ID renewal at the same time. The Emirates ID application fee is AED 370. Your existing Emirates ID remains valid for identity purposes until the new one is issued, even if its printed expiry date has passed — as long as the renewal application has been submitted.

   Cost: AED 370 Emirates ID feeTime: Simultaneous with visa renewal
4. 4

   PRO submits application to GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs)

   Your employer's PRO submits the visa renewal application through the GDRFA online portal (the Amer system). Required documents typically include: new entry permit application, medical fitness test result, Emirates ID renewal application, employer undertaking letter, and your current passport. Government processing time: 3–10 working days for standard applications, 1–3 days for express service (additional fee).

   Cost: AED 2,000–5,000 government fees (employer-paid typically)Time: Processing: 3–10 working days
5. 5

   Collect new visa stamp in passport and updated Emirates ID

   On approval, GDRFA issues the new visa which is stamped directly in your passport — or issued as an e-visa entry in their system (some visa renewals are fully electronic without a physical stamp). Your employer's PRO will collect the documentation and return your passport. Your new Emirates ID card is sent to the post office listed in your application — collect within 90 days or it is returned. Confirm both the new visa stamp and Emirates ID have been issued before any international travel.

   Cost: No additional costTime: 1–5 days after approval
6. 6

   Update your driving licence, bank, and other records if Emirates ID changed

   After visa renewal, update your records where Emirates ID number has changed (it should not change on renewal, but the expiry date does). Notify: your UAE bank(s) (some require updated Emirates ID for KYC), your car insurance provider, your landlord's tenancy registration (Ejari), your children's schools. Also ensure your UAE driving licence expiry is aligned — RTA driving licences tied to residency visa must be renewed when the visa is renewed.

   Cost: Driving licence renewal: AED 200–400Time: Within 30 days of renewal

1. 1

   Confirm exactly when your grace period ends

   Under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021, most UAE residence visa holders have a 60-day grace period after visa cancellation or expiry to remain in the UAE, regularise their status, or exit without overstay fines. Golden Visa and Green Visa holders may have 180-day grace periods. Tourist visa grace periods are shorter (10 days). Log in to the ICA app or GDRFA portal to confirm your exact visa status and grace period end date — do not rely on assumptions.

   Cost: No costTime: Day 0 (visa expiry)
2. 2

   Decide: renew, change visa type, or exit UAE

   Within the grace period you have three options: (1) Renew your existing visa — requires employer or sponsor cooperation; (2) Change visa type — e.g., switch from employment visa to investor/entrepreneur visa or Green Visa; (3) Exit the UAE cleanly within the grace period — no fines, and you can return on a tourist visa or new employment visa. If your employment has ended and your employer will not renew, options (2) or (3) are your paths.

   Cost: Exit: no fine if within grace periodTime: Within first 30 days of grace period
3. 3

   If renewing: initiate immediately with new employer or PRO

   If you have secured new employment within the grace period, your new employer can initiate the visa process. You may need to exit the UAE briefly (to a nearby destination — Oman, Bahrain, or a short flight) and re-enter on the new entry permit once issued. The visa cancellation and re-issuance process typically takes 3–6 weeks — maintain accommodation and financial stability during this transition.

   Cost: AED 2,000–6,000 new visa government fees (new employer pays)Time: Within grace period
4. 4

   Exit before grace period ends to avoid daily fines

   If you decide to leave the UAE, exit before the grace period ends. Overstay fines begin accruing at AED 50/day the day after the grace period ends — and continue until you actually exit. Accumulated fines must be paid in full at the airport before departure. There is no cap on overstay fines. A 6-month overstay after grace period expiry = AED 9,000 in fines alone, plus possible entry ban.

   Cost: Exit flight only if leaving cleanlyTime: Before grace period end date
5. 5

   If overstayed: pay fines at GDRFA or airport before departure

   If the grace period has passed and you are still in the UAE, you are in overstay. You must: visit a GDRFA office to obtain a voluntary disclosure / exit permit; pay all accumulated overstay fines (AED 50/day); and then exit UAE at an airport immigration point. Voluntary surrender before enforcement action is strongly recommended — enforcement action (detention) is more severe. Consult an immigration lawyer if fines are very large.

   Cost: AED 50/day overstay fine + potential re-entry banTime: As soon as possible