UAE Visa Extension in 2026: Latest Updates, Costs & Eligibility
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) remains one of the most sought-after destinations in the world for international travel, famous for its sophisticated cities, high-end lifestyle, diverse culture, and bustling business industry. No matter if you’re looking for a leisure vacation, a family on a holiday, or are just checking in for a short business trip, you might have to extend your stay. Here’s how to find out
Everything you need to Know about UAE Visa Extension!
In this comprehensive guide, we have stripped down, in layman’s terms, everything you need to know about Dubai visa extension, tourist visa extension in the UAE, and visit visa renewal in the UAE as we enter 2026.
UAE visa policies have recently begun to change. The UAE authorities have modernised their immigration system in recent years, creating a more convenient environment for visitors and a more comfortable stay. UAE. A shift will happen in 2026 over how and if tourists and visitors extend their stays:
Many visit and tourist visas can now be extended from within the UAE, whether online or in person, without leaving the country and re-entering. This change does away with a traditional “visa run” culture in which visitors could leave the UAE merely to secure a new entry permit. Official mechanisms such as the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) portal, Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), or authorised service establishments, for example, Amer Centres, help process visit visa extensions.
Among the key changes is the scrapping of informal “grace periods” in a number of emirates, such as Dubai, where staying too long and incurring instant fines beginning the day after your visa runs out. That means that if you don’t want to pay fines or have restrictions on travel at future times, planning ahead has become more essential than ever.
Who Can Apply for a Visa Extension?
Before applying, it is important to understand the UAE’s eligibility requirements for a visit visa renewal. Generally visitor or tourist categories that are able to extend:
- Regular tourist visa holders (14/30/60/90 days)
- At-home visitors where extensions are allowed under migration regulations
- Family visit visas and business visit visas (if the terms of the original permit apply)
Common Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for an extension:
- The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the requested extension period
- You must apply before your visa expires — any late application kicks in fines each day
- The maximum length of stay in a year can be capped — for most tourist categories, it’s typically 120 days.
Exceptions & Non-Extendable Visas:
Not all visa categories can, therefore, be extended. For example:
- Short transit or 96-hour visas are usually not subject to extension requirements
- Certain humanitarian or special mission visas can have exclusive conditions
- Always check with immigration officials on your specific visa type
Step-by-Step: How to Extend Your Dubai Visa
Dubai is another key location where the visa extension process continues to be simplified greatly in 2026, whether you’re in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE. Here’s a simple breakdown:
Confirm Your Ongoing Visa Status – Before anything else, let me know your visa type and whether it expires.
Extensions must be submitted to avoid fines, legal trouble, and other complications arising from immigration, as they must be submitted before their expiration date. Decide How to Apply. You can choose:
Online via the ICP Smart Services portal and log in using the UAE Pass, or in person at an Amer Centre or a proper customer service centre.
Both options require the signing of scanned papers and payment of some legal fees.
Send Required Documents
Typically, you’ll need:
- A clear copy of your passport and current visa page
- Passport photos (if requested)
- Proof of accommodation or sponsorship details
- Additional paperwork should be added depending on the visa type
- A passport is valid for a minimum of six months beyond the extended dates
Pay the Fees
When your application is processed and ready, you can pay the relevant fees online or at the service centre, as outlined in the application details below. Wait for Approval. In general, approval is issued within 1 to 2 working days of confirmation by the authorities. When the approval is granted, you receive a confirmation including the expiration date.
Dubai & UAE Visa Extension Costs in 2026
One of the most frequent asks is: “How much do you pay to extend your UAE visit visa in the UAE?”
Basic Extension Fees
The common costs of a tourist visa extension in the UAE are the usual ones of a basic tourist foreign visa:
- Extension processing fee:
- Around AED 600 per 30-day extension
- Value-Added Tax (VAT): 5% on fees
- Knowledge & Innovation Dirham fees: Small government levies (normally AED 10 each)
Visitors are also often granted an extension, usually for up to 120 days per year, on short-term visitor visas.
Additional Processing Charges
In the UAE, some emirates charge additional processing fees (AED 500-600). Admin costs may be increased by service centres.
Overstay fine
AED 50 a day from day one after your visa runs out — no grace period in many emirates, such as Dubai.
Not paying overstay fines can trigger exit delays or travel bans, or problems with future applications; so always extend or exit before your visa expires.
Key Takeaways for Travellers
Navigating the visa systems in the UAE in 2026 is simpler than ever — but leaves some things to be desired:
✔Get an extension of your Dubai visa already a long time before expiration.
✔Know your early visa extension UAE eligibility and fees for tourism.
✔Avoid delaying UAE visa renewals so as not to incur fines and even be in trouble regarding your travel plan.
✔And be sure to keep up with the most current ICP and GDRFA changes since rules can change to fit the worldwide travel landscape.
Whether you’re lengthening your stay to bask in Dubai’s sunshine or delaying the end of your business trip, FlyOn Travel & Tourism ensures you have the latest 2026 updates, costs, and eligibility requirements to help you plan confidently and stay compliant with UAE immigration regulations.
