uae visa expiry date & validity 2026 - check uae visa status & grace period
24-Oct-2025

Understanding UAE Visa Expiry Date and Validity in 2026: Complete Guide for Residents and Tourists

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When living or visiting the UAE, understanding your visa expiry date and validity period is essential to maintaining legal status and avoiding penalties. Whether you hold a tourist visa, residence visa, or visit visa, keeping track of your UAE visa expiry date ensures a smooth stay and prevents unwanted fines or bans.

What Is a UAE Visa Expiry Date and Validity Period?

UAE Visa Validity Meaning and Duration Explained

Every UAE visa comes with an issue date and an expiry date, which together define its validity period. The validity period represents the timeframe during which the visa remains active — allowing you to enter or stay in the UAE.

For example:

  • A 30-day tourist visa is valid for 60 days from issuance, and once you enter the UAE, you can stay for 30 days.

  • A residence visa might be valid for 2 to 10 years depending on the visa type and sponsor.

Difference Between Visa Validity and Visa Duration of Stay

It’s important not to confuse visa validity with the allowed stay period. The validity defines how long your visa remains valid before entry, while the duration of stay defines how long you can remain inside the UAE once entered.

UAE Visa Validity Period by Visa Type in 2026

UAE Tourist Visa Validity

Tourist visas in the UAE typically come with 30-day or 60-day stay durations, both single-entry and multiple-entry options. The visa is valid for 60 days from the date of issue.

UAE Visit Visa Validity

The UAE visit visa is usually valid for 90 days from the issue date and allows for stays of up to 30, 60, or 90 days, depending on the visa type.

UAE Residence Visa Validity

For residents, the UAE residence visa validity typically ranges between 2 and 10 years, depending on the category — employment, investor, or family sponsorship.

  • Employment visa: 2–3 years validity

  • Investor visa: Up to 10 years validity

  • Family/spousal visa: 2 years validity

UAE Transit Visa Validity

Transit visas are short-term and are valid for 14 days from the issue date, allowing stays of either 48 hours or 96 hours depending on your selection.

How to Check UAE Visa Expiry Date and Validity Online

Check UAE Visa Validity on ICA Website (for Abu Dhabi & Northern Emirates)

For visas issued in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, or Fujairah, visit the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) portal.
Steps:

  1. Visit the ICA smart services website.

  2. Select “Passport Information” or “File Number.”

  3. Enter your passport details or visa file number.

  4. Verify using your nationality and captcha code.

  5. Your UAE visa expiry date and validity status will appear on the screen.

Check UAE Visa Validity on GDRFA Website (for Dubai Residents)

For Dubai-issued visas, you can use the GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) portal.
Steps:

  1. Visit the GDRFA-Dubai website.

  2. Choose “Residency Inquiry.”

  3. Enter your visa number or passport details.

  4. Submit and view your visa expiry date instantly.

Check UAE Visa Expiry Using Passport or File Number

Alternatively, you can check using your passport number or file number via mobile apps like ICA UAE Smart or GDRFA Dubai App, available on both iOS and Android.

UAE Visa Grace Period After Expiry

Grace Period for Residence Visas

After your residence visa expires, the UAE government provides a 30-day grace period to renew or cancel your visa without incurring fines.

Grace Period for Tourist and Visit Visas

Tourists and visitors are given a 10-day grace period after visa expiry to exit the country or apply for a renewal.

UAE Visa Renewal Before Expiry: Step-by-Step Process

Documents Required for UAE Visa Renewal

To renew your visa before expiry, prepare the following documents:

  • Original passport

  • Copy of Emirates ID (for residents)

  • Sponsor’s valid residence visa

  • Medical fitness certificate (for residence renewal)

  • Recent passport-sized photographs

Fees & Processing Time for Renewal

  • Tourist visa renewal: AED 600–800

  • Residence visa renewal: AED 300–500 (depending on emirate and category)
    Processing time: 3–5 working days.

Overstaying After UAE Visa Expiry: Fines and Consequences

Overstay Fines for Tourists and Visitors

  • AED 50 per day after grace period expires.

  • AED 250 exit permit fee upon departure.

Overstay Fines for Residents

  • AED 125 for the first day after expiry.

  • AED 25 per day thereafter (up to a certain limit).
    Overstaying can lead to travel bans or future visa denials if fines are unpaid.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Checking or Renewing UAE Visa

  • Entering incorrect passport or file numbers.

  • Failing to renew before the grace period ends.

  • Relying on unverified agents or websites.

  • Ignoring SMS/email reminders from immigration authorities.

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Conclusion

Understanding your UAE visa expiry date and validity period is crucial to maintaining compliance and avoiding overstay fines. Whether you’re a tourist, resident, or investor, checking your visa status regularly ensures peace of mind and legal stay in the UAE. Stay proactive — verify your visa status, renew on time, and rely on professional support for a seamless experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

The UAE residence visa validity depends on the visa category and sponsor:

  • Employment visas: 2 or 3 years validity

  • Investor or Golden visas: Up to 10 years validity

  • Family or spousal visas: Usually 2 years validity
    Tourist and visit visas, however, have shorter validity ranging from 30 to 90 days.

Yes, you can travel before your UAE visa expiry date, but ensure your visa remains valid during your travel and return period. If your visa expires while you’re abroad, you may face re-entry issues. It’s always best to renew or extend your visa before traveling close to the expiration date.

You can renew your UAE visa before expiry through the GDRFA (for Dubai) or ICA (for other emirates) portal. Submit your documents, pay the renewal fee, and complete biometric verification if required. Processing usually takes 3–5 working days.

If your UAE visa expires, you should renew it or exit the country within the grace period — 10 days for tourists and 30 days for residents. Overstaying after the grace period leads to fines starting from AED 50 per day, and may also result in travel bans or entry restrictions in future.

Yes, if you have your visa file number or Emirates ID (for residents), you can check your visa validity through the official UAEICP app or GDRFA portal without using your passport number.

To check your UAE visit visa validity, visit the ICA Smart Services or GDRFA portal, choose the “Check Visa Status” option, and enter your passport number and nationality. You’ll see your visa type, issue date, and expiry details within seconds.

You can check your UAE visa expiry date by visiting either the ICA (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship) website for visas issued in Abu Dhabi or the northern emirates, or the GDRFA Dubai website for Dubai visas. Enter your passport number or file number, nationality, and captcha code to view your visa validity and expiry date instantly.

After your visa expires, you are allowed a grace period —

  • Residents: 30 days

  • Tourists: 10 days
    During this period, you can renew your visa or leave the UAE without fines. Once it ends, daily overstay fines apply.

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