UAE offers 30-day visa relief for travellers

The UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has announced a 30-day grace period for travellers who were unable to leave the country because of regional disruptions.

The grace period will run from June 10 to July 9, 2026, allowing affected individuals to either regularise their status or leave the UAE without facing penalties.

The decision applies to people who had previously received exemptions from overstay fines after travel disruptions linked to regional conditions prevented them from departing the country.

According to the ICP, the measure is intended to support compliance with UAE laws while giving affected individuals time to adjust their residency or employment status and continue living and working in the country legally, as per a Gulf News report.

Those who choose to leave the UAE can do so under existing departure procedures during the grace period.

The authority said the move follows the return of stability across the region.

It noted that the earlier waiver of overstay fines reflected the UAE's humanitarian approach during emergencies and exceptional circumstances.

"The circumstances that necessitated the exemption from fines no longer exist in light of the stability currently prevailing in the region," the authority said, as cited by Gulf News.

What the new UAE visa relief means The ICP clarified that beneficiaries do not need to complete any additional preliminary procedures to take advantage of the grace period.

Individuals seeking to remain in the UAE can apply to modify their residency or employment status, while those intending to depart can leave directly through normal channels.

The authority also urged affected individuals to monitor official communication channels for updates and guidance related to immigration regulations.

The latest announcement follows a decision taken by the ICP in March 2026 to exempt certain categories of people from overstay penalties.

The exemption covered visa holders, exit permit holders and residents whose visas had been cancelled but who were unable to leave the UAE because of airspace closures or flight suspensions that began on February 28, 2026.

At the time, the UAE government introduced the waiver to protect affected travellers from financial penalties arising from circumstances beyond their control.

With the new grace period now in effect, eligible individuals have until July 9 to either regularise their stay or complete their departure from the UAE without incurring fines. ...