How to avail of the visa fine waiver in Dubai
- Fine Waiver for Visit Visa Violators
- Fine Waiver for Violations by Residence Visa Holders
- Conditions for Violators to Avail Fine Waiver
- FAQs
Overstaying in the UAE, after the provided grace period, leads to fines and other penalties. However, the government has extended the grace period to exit the country till the end of December 2020. On 17th November, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) announced that people whose visas expired before 1st March 2020 will be allowed to leave Dubai without paying any fines by 31st December 2020. Let’s see what you have to do to avail this visa fine waiver before you travel from Dubai.
FINE WAIVER FOR VISIT VISA VIOLATORS
Typically, the UAE immigration laws are necessarily strict. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, expats and travellers were given leeway by the UAE government. A visa fine waiver was introduced whereby those concerned could extend their stay without incurring fines for overstaying in the UAE. Although the visa fine waiver was sscheduled to end on 17th November 2020, it was extended till the end of the year by the ICA.
The procedure for getting your visa fine waiver consists of a few simple steps for visit visa holders:
STEP 1
Book a ticket with the departure date prior to 31st December 2020.
STEP 2
If you’re flying from Dubai International Airport or Al Maktoum International Airport, take your passport and ticket to the airport and visit the Dubai Civil Aviation Security Centre 48 hours before takeoff.
STEP 3
After following steps one and two, you will be exempted from all financial penalties for overstaying in UAE. All of the administrative restrictions will be lifted and the visa will be cancelled.
FINE WAIVER FOR VIOLATIONS BY RESIDENCE VISA HOLDERS
For residence visa holders, the process of getting the visa fine waiver is more or less the same outlined above, with a few minor differences. Here is a step-by-step guide to the process:
STEP 1
Book a ticket with a departure date prior to 31st December 2020.
STEP 2
Take your passport and ticket to the airport at least four hours before takeoff.
STEP 3
Following the first two steps, you will be exempted from all financial penalties for overstaying in UAE. All of the administrative restrictions will be lifted and the visa will be cancelled.
CONDITIONS FOR VIOLATORS TO AVAIL THE VISA FINE WAIVER
Violators can benefit from the visa fine waiver provided the following conditions are met:
- The visa should have expired before 1st March 2020.
- The departure date should be before 31st December 2020.
- Departure should be from the Dubai International Airport, Al Maktoum International Airport, or any other UAE airport.
- If the violator is in the category of investors and partners, they must liquidate their company or cancel their capacity in the company.
- If the violator has sponsored other people, the sponsored individuals must leave with the violator.
FAQS
WHICH COUNTRIES ALLOW UAE TRAVELLERS TO TRAVEL WITHOUT SPENDING THE QUARANTINE PERIOD?
There are numerous countries that have lifted the mandatory quarantine requirements for UAE travellers. You can check up on our list of countries without COVID quarantine requirements on arrival.
WHAT ARE THE OVERSTAY FINES FOR PEOPLE WITH EXPIRED VISAS WHO LEAVE AFTER 31ST DECEMBER 2020?
The UAE has a well-regulated residency visa system to ensure that all the residents are legally allowed to reside in the country, but it has temporarily lifted the overstay fines till the end of 2020. You can learn all about the overstay fines in the UAE here.
That is all we have to share on how to avail of the visa fine waiver in Dubai. Hopefully, you will also be able to make the most of this amnesty if circumstances apply.
Looking for more information on UAE visas? Here’s MyBayut’s comprehensive guide of immigration services in Dubai…and also everything you need to know about Dubai visas.
