The UAE overstay fine is AED 50 per day once your permitted stay or grace period has ended, and the rate is the same for visit, tourist and residence visas. You check and pay it on one of two official portals: GDRFA Dubai if your visa was issued in Dubai, or the ICP Smart Services portal for every other emirate. Pick the wrong portal and your fine simply will not show up, so start there.
Quick answer
- Fine: AED 50 per day after the permitted stay or grace period ends, plus any administrative fees.
- Dubai visa: GDRFA Fines Inquiry Service, DubaiNow, or Amer on 800 5111.
- Any other emirate: ICP Smart Services or 600 522 222.
- Leaving after an overstay: depending on your case, you may also need an exit permit.
Which portal should you use?
| Where your visa was issued | Where to check and pay | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | GDRFA Dubai Fines Inquiry Service | Amer 800 5111 |
| Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah | ICP Smart Services portal | 600 522 222 |
Not sure which authority issued your visa? Use our guide to check your UAE visa status first, then come back to run the fine check.
How much is the UAE overstay fine?
The UAE government has standardised overstay fines for visit, tourist and residence visas at AED 50 per day, charged for each day after your permitted stay or applicable grace period has ended. The older split rates that some websites still quote no longer apply. You can see the official fee information on the UAE government portal.
Your total is roughly: chargeable days × AED 50, plus any administrative or service fees. The portal shows the exact total for your record. If you need an exit permit to leave, that is a separate cost.
UAE Overstay Fine Estimator
Estimate your UAE overstay fine at AED 50 per chargeable day.
Worked examples (illustrative):
- Your permitted stay ended 12 days ago: 12 × AED 50 = AED 600, plus fees.
- Your residence permit was cancelled and your category has a 30-day grace period. You leave on day 45: 15 chargeable days × AED 50 = AED 750, plus fees.
- 40 chargeable days: 40 × AED 50 = AED 2,000, plus fees. An exit permit may also be required.
What you need before you check
Have one of these ready: your file number, UDB number, Emirates ID or passport number. ICP may also ask for your date of birth and nationality. Enter details exactly as they appear on your documents. If you cannot find your file number, see how to find your UAE visa number, or how to find your UID number online.
Method 1: Check and pay a Dubai visa fine on GDRFA
Use this if your visa or residence was issued in Dubai. The inquiry is free and shows the fine instantly.
- Open the GDRFA Dubai Fines Inquiry Service.
- Choose your search type: file number, UDB number, Emirates ID or passport number.
- Enter the details - Usually documnet number, date of birth and gender
- Solve the captcha.
- Click Submit to see the fines and total due, then follow the prompts to pay online.
You can also settle Dubai visa fines through the DubaiNow app or Amer. Digital channels run 24/7, while Amer centres keep business hours. For questions, call Amer on 800 5111 (or +971 4 313 9999 from abroad).
Method 2: Check and pay a fine on the ICP Smart Services portal
Use this for visas issued outside Dubai. It also works with UAE Pass and the UAEICP app.
- Go to the ICP Smart Services portal and click Public Service.
- Open the fines and leave permits section and start the service for violations of entry permits or residence.
- Search with your file number, or with your passport details if you are a citizen of an eligible country. Add your date of birth and nationality when asked.
- Solve the captcha and search. Your outstanding fines appear.
- Pay by credit or debit card. You will receive a transaction number confirming payment.
ICP support is on 600 522 222. Portal menus change from time to time, so if a label differs slightly, look for the same fines section. You can also browse the full ICP services list.
Method 3: Pay in person
If you cannot use the online services, you can inquire and pay in person at Amer centres (Dubai), ICP customer centres and immigration offices. Fines can also be paid at the airport when you exit, but for anything more than a small amount it is safer to settle in advance, so a payment or a query does not hold you up at departure.
After you pay
Keep your payment receipt or transaction number and carry a copy when you travel. If you are leaving the country, settle the fine before you go to the airport and allow time for the payment to register on your record. If you also need an exit permit, apply for it once the fine is cleared.
Grace periods: when does the fine start?
Grace depends on your visa type and, for residents, your residence category. It is the most common source of confusion. For a step-by-step way to look up your own dates, see our guide on how to check your UAE visa grace period.
After a residence permit is cancelled or expires (ICP categories):
| Grace period | Category |
|---|---|
| 180 days | Golden, Green and Blue Visa holders and their family members; widows or divorcees of residents; students after completing their studies; foreign-passport holders who are relatives of UAE citizens |
| 90 days | Skilled workers (levels 1 to 3) and property owners |
| 60 days | Permits issued with a guarantor or host |
| 30 days | All other residence categories |
Visit, tourist and visa-on-arrival entries: the permitted stay depends on your specific entry permit, and any grace rules depend on the visa category. Do not assume extra days. Check your exact end date on the GDRFA or ICP portal.
Your recorded category decides your grace period, so confirm it on your own record before relying on any number. If your residence visa was cancelled, our guide on how to cancel your UAE visa explains the process and what happens next.
When might you need an exit permit?
Depending on your case, you may need an exit or departure permit before you can leave, particularly after a longer overstay or when your residency has been cancelled. Requirements and fees vary by authority.
GDRFA Dubai lists a departure permit at AED 241 with 7-day validity. Federal ICP services have their own fee structure, so check the ICP portal if your visa was issued outside Dubai. Settle any fine first, then apply for the permit.
What happens if you don't pay the fine?
The fine keeps accruing at AED 50 per day for as long as you stay past your permitted period. An unpaid fine can complicate renewing your visa, applying for a new one, or leaving the country, and it can affect future applications. Consequences depend on your case, so the safest course is to check early and resolve the fine before it grows. If you think a separate legal restriction may apply to you, you can also check your UAE travel ban status.
Separate from overstay fines, an employer or sponsor can report a worker as having absconded. That is its own immigration procedure with its own consequences, and an overstay fine is not automatically an absconding case. If you have been reported as absconding, contact GDRFA or ICP, or a licensed immigration adviser, for guidance on your situation.
How to request a fine waiver or reduction
You can submit a request for a waiver or reduction of an overstay fine. GDRFA Dubai offers a waiver and reduction service and lists a fee of AED 15.75 for individual sponsors. Whether a request is approved is entirely at the authority's discretion, and circumstances such as illness or a retained passport do not guarantee approval.
Depending on your case, you may be asked for your passport and visa copy, the file number carrying the fine, a petition letter (Arabic where required), and supporting evidence such as a medical report or a court or police letter. Check the current requirements on the GDRFA or ICP service page before you apply.
Why your fine is not showing (and mistakes to avoid)
Most empty searches come from the wrong portal. Dubai visas appear only on GDRFA Dubai, not on ICP. Immigration fines also do not appear in police or traffic fine apps, since they are a separate system. Other common mistakes:
- Relying on old per-day rates instead of the standardised AED 50.
- Assuming a grace period your visa or category may not have.
- Leaving payment of a large fine until you reach the airport.
- Using an unofficial "fine checker" site. Only GDRFA and ICP show your actual record.
FAQs
How much is the overstay fine per day in the UAE?
AED 50 per day for each day after your permitted stay or grace period ends, plus any administrative fees.
Can I check my overstay fine with my passport number?
Yes. The GDRFA Dubai inquiry accepts file number, UDB number, Emirates ID or passport number. ICP accepts passport details for eligible citizens, alongside file number.
Why is my Dubai visa fine not showing on the ICP website?
Dubai visas are handled by GDRFA Dubai. Check the GDRFA Fines Inquiry Service instead.
Can I pay my overstay fine at the airport?
Fines can be paid at immigration offices or at the airport when you exit. For larger amounts or more complicated cases, settle in advance so nothing holds you up at departure.
What is the grace period after residence visa cancellation?
It ranges from 30 to 180 days depending on your residence category: 30, 60, 90 or 180 days under ICP's structure. Check your record for the exact figure.
Do tourist visas have a grace period?
It depends on the specific entry permit. Check your exact end date on the GDRFA or ICP portal rather than assuming extra days.
Can I get an overstay fine waived?
You can request a waiver or reduction through GDRFA or ICP. Approval is at the authority's discretion.
Do I need an exit permit if I overstayed?
Possibly, depending on your case. GDRFA Dubai lists its departure permit at AED 241; ICP has a separate fee structure. Pay the fine first, then apply.
Is an overstay the same as absconding?
No. Absconding is a separate procedure that starts with a report from a sponsor or employer.
