Quick Answer: You can extend your Dubai tourist visa twice for 30 days each (a total of 60 extra days) without leaving the UAE. The extension fee is approximately AED 600-700 per 30-day extension. Apply through the GDRFA or ICP portals before your visa expires—there’s no grace period, and overstay fines are AED 50/day.

So you’re in Dubai and don’t want to leave just yet? Maybe you fell in love with the city, your business meetings ran longer than expected, or you simply need more time to explore. Whatever the reason, the good news is that extending your Dubai visa has become much simpler than it used to be.

Back in the day, you’d have to do a ‘visa run’—fly out to Oman or Bahrain, turn around, and come back for a fresh visa. That still works, but it’s expensive and time-consuming. Now, you can extend most tourist and visit visas directly from within the UAE through online portals, which saves you the hassle and the cost of those border runs.

This guide covers everything you need to know about extending your stay in Dubai legally—the process, fees, timelines, and the essential rules you absolutely need to follow.

Can Your Visa Be Extended?

Not all visas can be extended, so the first thing you need to figure out is whether your visa type qualifies. Here’s a quick breakdown:

The key rule to remember: your total stay in the UAE cannot exceed 180 days in a calendar year, no matter how many extensions you get. Suppose you’ve already been here for 120 days and receive a 30-day extension, which brings you to 150 days. You can squeeze in one more extension, but then you’ll need to leave the country.

Extension Fees & Costs

Let’s talk money. The government fees are straightforward, but what you actually pay depends on how you apply and which service provider you use.

If you want a 60-day extension (two 30-day blocks), you’re looking at roughly AED 1,200-1,500 total. Agencies and hotels often charge a bit more for convenience, sometimes up to AED 1,000 per extension, but they handle all the paperwork for you.

Express Processing

Need it fast? Express or urgent processing is available for an additional AED 200-500 and can cut processing time from 2-3 days down to 24-48 hours. Worth it if you’re cutting it to the wire.

How to Apply for a Visa Extension

There are three main ways to extend your Dubai visa, and choosing online options can make the process straightforward and stress-free, especially if you’re comfortable with digital services and want convenience.

Option 1: Online Through GDRFA or ICP

This is the cheapest and most direct method. If your visa was issued in Dubai, use the GDRFA portal. For other emirates, use the ICP portal.

1. Go to gdrfad.gov.ae (Dubai) or icp.gov.ae (other emirates)
2. Log in using your UAE Pass or create an account
3. Find ‘Visa Extension’ or ‘Extend Entry Permit’ service
4. Fill in your details and upload the required documents
5. Pay the fees online using a credit/debit card
6. Submit and wait for approval (usually 1-3 days)
7. Download your extended visa once approved

Documents needed: Passport copy (valid for at least 6 months), current visa copy, passport-sized photo, and proof of accommodation (hotel booking or tenancy contract).

Option 2: Amer Service Centers

If you’re not comfortable with online applications or your case is complicated, visit an Amer center. They’re located across Dubai and have staff who can help you through the process. You’ll pay a bit more in service fees (AED 50-150), but they handle everything and can answer questions on the spot.

Bring your original passport, current visa printout, a passport photo, and your accommodation proof. Processing takes the same 1-3 days.

Option 3: Travel Agencies and Hotels

Many hotels and travel agencies offer visa extension services, particularly those specializing in tourism. It’s the most expensive option—agencies typically charge AED 800-1,200 per extension—but it’s completely hands-off. You provide your documents; they handle everything, and you receive your extended visa via email.

If you’re busy exploring Dubai and don’t want to deal with government portals, this is worth considering. Just make sure you use a licensed, reputable agency.

Important Rules You Must Follow

Visa extensions in the UAE come with strict rules, and breaking them can be costly quickly.

No Grace Period Anymore

This is the big one. The UAE removed the 10-day grace period that used to exist after your visa expired. Now, overstay fines kick in the very next day after expiry. If your visa expires on March 15th, you start accumulating fines on March 16th.

Overstay Fines

The overstay penalty is AED 50 per day—standardized across all visa types as of 2025. That adds up quickly:

Fines for overstaying start at AED 50 per day and may result to detention, deportation, or bans. Staying within your visa limits helps you avoid these severe consequences and feel secure during your stay.

Apply Early

Applying early is crucial. Submit your extension at least 5-7 days before your visa expires to avoid last-minute stress and potential penalties, especially during busy seasons.

180-Day Annual Limit

No matter how many extensions you get, you can’t stay in the UAE for more than 180 days total in a calendar year on tourist/visit visas. Plan your extensions strategically if you intend to make multiple trips.

Changing Your Visa Status (Tourist to Employment)

Found a job while you’re here on a tourist visa? Good news—you don’t have to leave the country anymore. The UAE now allows in-country visa status changes.

How It Works

Your new employer handles most of this, but here’s the general process:

• You receive a formal job offer from a UAE-registered company
• Your employer applies for a work permit through MOHRE
• They submit a ‘Change Status’ request via ICP or GDRFA
• Once approved, you get a 60-day employment entry permit
• Complete medical tests, biometrics, and Emirates ID
• Final residence visa gets stamped—all without leaving the UAE

Important: Your tourist visa must remain valid when you begin the status change process. If it expires mid-process, you’ll run into issues. The status change fee is approximately AED 500-600 in addition to the standard employment visa costs.

Other Status Changes

You can also change from tourist to family/dependent visa (if a relative sponsors you), investor visa (if you’re buying property or starting a business), or student visa. The process is similar—you need a valid sponsor and must apply before your current visa expires.

The Visa Run Alternative

Sometimes, extending your visa in-country isn’t the best option. Maybe you’ve already maxed out your extensions, or you want a fresh 30/60/90-day visa instead of a short extension. That’s where the visa run comes in.

How Visa Runs Work

You leave the UAE—typically to Oman, Bahrain, or even further destinations—clear UAE immigration on the way out, then re-enter and get a new visa on arrival (if your nationality qualifies) or use a pre-arranged visa.

Popular visa run destinations from Dubai:

• Oman (Hatta border or Muscat): 1-2 hours drive, cheapest option
• Bahrain: Quick flight, visa on arrival for most nationalities
• Sri Lanka/Nepal: Cheap flights, get a fresh visa when returning

When to Consider a Visa Run

• You’ve used up all your in-country extensions
• You’re close to the 180-day annual limit and want to reset
• Your nationality doesn’t qualify for easy in-country extensions
• You want to combine it with a short trip anyway

Keep in mind: visa runs are getting less popular because in-country extensions are now so easy. But they’re still useful in certain situations.

Special Cases & Situations

Visa on Arrival Extensions

If you entered the UAE on a visa on arrival (like US, UK, EU passport holders), your extension options depend on your nationality. Most can extend once or twice through the normal process, but some nationalities have restrictions. Check the ICP portal for your specific case.

Indian passport holders who received a 14-day visa on arrival (with a US/UK/EU visa) may extend it once for an additional 14 days for AED 250.

GCC Residents

If you’re a resident of another GCC country visiting the UAE, you can usually extend your visa through the standard GDRFA process. The fees are similar—around AED 600-800 per extension.

Medical Emergencies

If you can’t leave due to a medical emergency, contact GDRFA or ICP directly. They can sometimes grant emergency extensions or waive fines if you have proper medical documentation. Don’t just overstay and hope for the best—reach out to immigration authorities proactively.

Children and Families

Each family member needs their own visa extension. Children under 18 require guardian documentation with their applications. Apply for everyone simultaneously to keep your visas aligned.

Quick Step-by-Step Summary

1. Check your visa type and confirm it can be extended
2. Check how many days you have left (apply 5-7 days before expiry)
3. Gather documents: passport copy, visa copy, photo, and accommodation proof
4. Choose your method: GDRFA/ICP online, Amer Center, or agency
5. Pay the fees (AED 700-900 per 30-day extension)
6. Submit the application and wait 1-3 business days
7. Download and save your extended visa
8. Repeat if you need a second extension (before the first one expires)

Official Resources

GDRFA Dubai: gdrfad.gov.ae  For Dubai-issued visas

ICP Portal: icp.gov.ae  For other emirates and federal services

UAE Government: u.ae  General visa information and regulations

Amer Centers: Located across Dubai for in-person assistance

Disclaimer: Visa rules and fees change periodically. Always verify current requirements with official UAE government sources (GDRFA, ICP) before applying. This guide reflects 2026 rules and may not cover every nationality or special situation.

Last Updated: February 2026