30 days new tourist visa
Airport to Airport visa change return flight ticket
Destination 
Verified What you can do when your UAE stay is ending depends entirely on which type of visa you entered on. The four visitor categories below are the starting point. Find yours and everything costs, processing time, whether you need to exit follows from there.
No. Removed October 2024. Overstay fines of AED 50 per day begin the day after expiry. Apply before the printed expiry date.
ICP, October 2024From AED 990 for on-arrival visa holders. From AED 1,190 for prearranged tourist visa holders. No exit required.
Local authorised travel agenciesOn-arrival extension: ~4 hours. Prearranged tourist visa extension: ~8 hours. Airport-to-airport change: same day. Express visa for border exit: 4 to 8 hours.
Local authorised travel agenciesPrearranged tourist visas: up to twice in-country, 30 days each. After two extensions, exit is required. On-arrival 30-day: once in-country. On-arrival 90-day: cannot extend in-country.
GDRFA Dubai · ICPAED 50 per day from day one after expiry. Exit permit fee AED 250 to 350 on departure. Fines must be cleared at ICP or GDRFA before exit or any new visa is accepted.
ICP, February 2026GDRFA Dubai for Dubai-issued visas. ICP for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and all other emirates. Both allow online applications and status checks.
GDRFA Dubai · ICP
Written & verified by Sohail Ahmed, UAE Visa & Travel Operations Manager, processing UAE visitor visas at Arabiers since 2016.
Reviewed 20 August 2026 · Sources: ICP, GDRFA Dubai, u.ae, Emirates
All prices below are all-inclusive: the government fee paid directly to GDRFA or ICP, security placing fee, document checking before submission, and Arabiers handling from submission to the approval PDF on WhatsApp. IPG and bank charges are included. Nothing is added at delivery.
| Option | Who it's for | Exit required? | Fee (AED) | Typical processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day extension | On-arrival visa holders only | No | 990 | ~4 hours |
| 30-day extension | Prepaid visa holders only | No | 1,190 | ~8 hours |
| 30-day new tourist visa (airport-to-airport change) | All nationalities | Yes, same-day fly-out & return (flight ticket included) | 1,690 to 1,790 | Same day |
| 60-day new tourist visa (airport-to-airport change) | All nationalities | Yes, same-day fly-out & return (flight ticket included) | 1,790 to 1,985 | Same day |
| 30-day express visa | Travellers exiting via a land border or to another country | Yes, border or onward exit | 789 | 4–8 hours |
| 60-day express visa | Travellers exiting via a land border or to another country | Yes, border or onward exit | 989 | 4–8 hours |
Payment accepted: Mastercard, Visa, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Government fee, security placing fee, document checking, handling, IPG and bank charges are included.
30 days new tourist visa
Airport to Airport visa change return flight ticket
60 days new tourist visa
Airport to Airport visa change return flight ticket
30 days express visa
Travelers who exit Boarder & other country
60 days express visa
Travelers who exit Boarder & other country
30-day, 90-day and 180-day on-arrival nationalities. Your extension route depends on the stamp granted at the border. Source: Emirates UAE Visa Information and ICP.
Who this covers: Andorra, Brunei, Hong Kong SAR, Kazakhstan, Macau SAR, Malaysia, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Republic of Ireland, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vatican City — 13 nationalities receiving a free 30-day stamp at the UAE border with no advance arrangement.
Option 1 — 30-day in-country extension. The 30-day on-arrival stamp can be extended in-country without exit for 990 AED, with typical processing of around 4 hours. The application must be submitted before the printed expiry date. The 10-day grace period previously available was removed in October 2024.
Option 2 — Exit and obtain a new tourist visa. Airport-to-airport change for a new 30-day visa costs 1,690 to 1,790 AED with the return flight included. A land-border exit with an express visa costs 789 AED for 30 days or 989 AED for 60 days, processed in 4 to 8 hours.
Who this covers: Spain, UK, USA, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Greece, Hungary, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine (where not in 30-day list), Kazakhstan (where not in 30-day list), Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico (where 90 applies), Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Monaco (where applicable), Seychelles, Maldives, Mauritius (where applicable), Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Nauru, and others — 74 nationalities in total. Valid 6 months from issue, multiple entry.
When the 90 days are consumed, exit is required. The two practical routes are a land-border exit with a new express tourist visa, or an airport-to-airport visa change.
Exit via Oman (Khasab, Hatta, Al Ain) or another border. A new 30 or 60-day tourist visa is processed in 4 to 8 hours during the trip. The express visa fee is 789 AED for 30 days or 989 AED for 60 days. In a real case reviewed on 20 August 2026, two Spanish nationals who had used all 90 days joined a Musandam Khasab boat excursion and received a 60-day multiple-entry tourist visa before returning to the UAE the same evening.
Fly out, have the new tourist visa processed while you wait airside, and fly back to the UAE the same day. The return flight is included. A 30-day airport-to-airport change costs 1,690 to 1,790 AED; a 60-day change costs 1,790 to 1,985 AED.
Who this covers: Indian passport holders who entered on the preapproved 14-day or 60-day permit (with valid US/UK/EU/AU/CA/JP/NZ/KR/SG visa or residence permit), and nationals of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa who entered on a 14-day or 60-day preapproved permit with a qualifying third-country residence document.
| Permit type | Extension available? | What to do when it ends |
|---|---|---|
| 14-day preapproved Indian nationals | Extendable once at ICP or GDRFA only | After the one extension, a new standard tourist visa through an agency or ICP is the next step. |
| 60-day preapproved Indian nationals | Not extendable must exit | When 60 days end, exit is required. A new 30 or 60-day tourist visa can be applied for before return. Express processing: 4 to 8 hours. |
| 14-day preapproved 6-country nationals | Extendable once at ICP or GDRFA only | Same as Indian 14-day above. |
| 60-day preapproved 6-country nationals | Not extendable must exit | Same as Indian 60-day above. |
When the preapproved permit ends and a new tourist visa is needed, the standard prearranged tourist visa process applies the traveller either exits and returns with a new visa, or (where the passport qualifies for on-arrival entry) simply re-enters on the free border stamp. The UAE visit visa page explains the full eligibility framework.
Who this covers: Travellers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India (without qualifying preapproved permit), Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Iran, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Philippines (without qualifying permit), and all other nationalities who entered on a prearranged 30 or 60-day tourist visa applied through an agency, an airline, or directly through ICP or GDRFA before arrival. This is the largest group and Arabiers' primary service territory.
Standard prearranged tourist visas can be extended twice in-country, 30 days per extension, without exit. All prices below include the government fee paid directly to GDRFA or ICP, the security placing fee, document checking before submission, and a real person handling the case from submission to the approval PDF on WhatsApp. IPG and bank charges included.
| Extension | Exit required? | Fee (AED) | Processing | Maximum times |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First in-country extension 30 days | No | 1,190 | ~8 hours | First of two |
| Second in-country extension 30 days | No | 1,190 | ~8 hours | Second of two after this, exit required |
When both in-country extensions are used, or when a fresh 60-day visa is preferred to another 30-day extension, the airport-to-airport change is the route. Fly to a nearby regional airport, wait airside while the new UAE tourist visa is processed in 4 to 8 hours, fly straight back to the UAE on the new visa the same day. Return flight ticket is included in the price.
| New visa obtained | Fee (AED, flight included) |
|---|---|
| 30-day tourist visa | 1,690 to 1,790 |
| 60-day tourist visa | 1,790 to 1,985 |
The new visa is confirmed before the traveller boards the outbound flight. Full details: airport-to-airport visa change.
Exit via the Oman land border at Hatta, Khasab Musandam, or Al Ain. A new 30 or 60-day express tourist visa is processed in 4 to 8 hours during the trip. For travellers combining the visa reset with a Musandam excursion or short Oman visit, this is the most cost-effective route.
| New visa | Fee (AED) | Processing |
|---|---|---|
| 30-day express tourist visa | 789 | 4 to 8 hours |
| 60-day express tourist visa | 989 | 4 to 8 hours |
Full details on the express visa: Dubai express visa.
The travellers who pay the most are those who treat the expiry date as the decision point. The travellers who pay the least decide at least a week before expiry, take the in-country extension if it is available, and keep the A2A as a backup rather than a forced choice. Eight percent of extension requests in our 2016 to 2026 dataset were submitted after the visa had already expired at that point the only outcome is an overstay fine plus an urgent exit.
Who this covers: UAE residents whose employment visa, family/dependent visa, investor visa, domestic worker visa, or any other residence category has been cancelled. The person is still physically inside the UAE and needs legal status to remain or to depart cleanly.
When a UAE residence visa is cancelled, a grace period applies the duration varies by visa category. The grace period begins on the cancellation date in the immigration system, not the last working day. Verify the exact start date on the ICP portal.
| Former resident's passport | Cheapest option exit and re-enter | Stay inside UAE no exit needed |
|---|---|---|
| 90-day VOA nationalities (UK, USA, Spain, France, Germany, Australia etc.) | Exit at Oman land border and re-enter free 90-day stamp at border. | In-country status change via GDRFA tourist visa without exit. 48 to 72 hours. |
| 30-day VOA nationalities (Malaysia, Ireland, Ukraine etc.) | Exit and re-enter free 30-day stamp. | In-country status change available. |
| Mexico | Exit and re-enter free 180-day stamp. | In-country status change available. |
| All other passports (Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Egypt, Nepal etc.) | Exit and apply for 30 or 60-day tourist visa before return. Express: 4 to 8 hours. | In-country tourist visa via GDRFA Visa Change Without Exit service. 48 to 72 hours. |
The overstay fine is the same flat AED 50 per day for former residents as it is for tourists. We see departing residents lose track of the grace period start date it begins on the cancellation date in the immigration system, not the day the person stopped working or handed in equipment. Check the exact date on the ICP portal rather than estimating.
The full in-country status change process: visa change without exit.
Source: u.ae UAE Government portal · GDRFA Dubai Visa Change Without Exit service
Always verify the new expiry date directly in the government system. The immigration database is the only authoritative record. Checking takes two minutes:
GDRFA Dubai for Dubai-issued visas. ICP for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and all other emirates. Both allow online applications and status checks.
Source: GDRFA Dubai · ICP
The UAE applies a flat overstay fine of AED 50 per day for tourists and residents alike, effective 11 February 2026. There is no grace period for tourist visas. Fines must be settled at ICP or GDRFA before exit or before any new visa application is accepted.
| Charge | Amount (AED) | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Daily overstay fine | 50 per day | Every day after visa expiry tourists and residents |
| Exit permit fee | 250 to 350 | Payable on departure when an overstay is on record |
The full fine structure: UAE overstay fine page.
Source: ICP UAE overstay fine rules, effective 11 February 2026
The overstay fine was unified to AED 50 per day for all visa types, replacing the older tiered structure. Effective 11 February 2026. Source: ICP.
Tourist visa holders extending repeatedly back-to-back may have further extension applications refused. Waiting 30 days outside the UAE before a new application, or switching to an airport-to-airport change, is the practical response. Source: observed at the Arabiers visa desk and confirmed in processing outcomes, verified by Sohail Ahmed.
The 10-day grace period previously available to 30-day on-arrival visa holders was removed. The visa's printed expiry date is now the hard deadline. Extensions must be applied for during the visa's validity. Source: ICP announcement, October 2024.
The 96-hour mission entry visa is non-extendable. Once the 96 hours expire, exit is required. Source: ICP visa types directory.
These are real questions that came in nationality, situation, what was done and what it cost. Names are initials only.
SITUATION 1 · VISA ON ARRIVAL · 90-DAY
The situation
Two Spanish nationals had used all 90 days of their on-arrival entitlement. They did not want to take a flight back to Europe, which would be costly, and they had no way to travel to Oman independently and did not want to take public transport. They contacted us looking for a solution.
What we arranged
We arranged a Musandam Khasab boat excursion for the following morning. The excursion takes guests into Omani waters, which counts as exiting the UAE. During the trip, a 60-day multiple-entry tourist visa was processed. The new visa was ready before the boat returned. They came back into the UAE the same evening on the new visa and had two full months to continue their stay.
SITUATION 1 · VISA ON ARRIVAL · 90-DAY
The question that came in
"I am German. My 90 days finish this Sunday but I want to stay in Dubai for another month. Do I have to fly back to Germany?"
What we arranged
No flight to Germany needed. The 90-day on-arrival visa cannot be extended in-country, but a short airport-to-airport change solves the same problem. We advised M.S. to travel on Friday, a working day, to keep the process clean. A same-day return flight to Muscat was booked. A 30-day tourist visa was processed while he waited at Muscat airport. He was back in Dubai the same afternoon on the new visa.
SITUATION 1 · VISA ON ARRIVAL · 90-DAY
The question that came in
"I am British and have been staying with my daughter in Dubai. I have entered and left a few times and I think I have used about 82 of my 90 days. I want to stay another six weeks. Can I just fly to Oman for a day and come back?"
What was done
The ICP portal confirmed exactly 82 days used, leaving 8 days on the current stamp not enough for six weeks. A quick Oman exit does not reset a 90-day on-arrival visa. The remaining 8 days would expire and P.H. would be overstaying. Instead, a 60-day tourist visa was processed before she flew to Muscat. She re-entered on the new visa, giving her the full six weeks plus extra.
SITUATION 1 · VISA ON ARRIVAL · 90-DAY
The question that came in
"I am French. I have finished my 90 days. Someone told me I can drive to Oman for four hours and when I return I will automatically receive another free 90 days. Is that correct?"
What was done
This is one of the most common misconceptions at the visa desk. It is not correct. Driving to Oman and returning does not automatically grant another free 90-day stamp. UAE immigration tracks cumulative days used within the visa validity window. C.L. had already consumed her 90 days re-entering without a new visa would be an overstay from day one. A 60-day tourist visa was arranged before she made the Oman crossing, giving her legal status on return.
SITUATION 4 · CANCELLED RESIDENCE
The question that came in
"I have worked in Dubai for six years. I am British and my residence visa was cancelled today, but I need about two more months to close my apartment, sell my car and organise everything. Do I have to leave immediately?"
What was done
No immediate exit needed. J.W. had a grace period from the cancellation date to remain legally, and as a British passport holder she qualifies for a 90-day visa on arrival. Rather than use the grace period and risk losing track of the deadline, a clean in-country tourist visa was applied for immediately no exit, no flight. Status changed to tourist visa the same week. J.W. had two full months to close her affairs with a confirmed legal status and a clear expiry date.
SITUATION 1 · VISA ON ARRIVAL · 90-DAY
The question that came in
"I am Swiss and immigration says I have already used my 90 days. I am at Dubai Airport now and they will not let me enter. I thought leaving UAE last month reset the visa. What can I do?"
What was done
A.B. was airside at Dubai International. A 30-day tourist visa was processed on an emergency basis while he waited at the airport. The visa was issued within hours and uploaded to the immigration system. A.B. was cleared to enter the same day. The misconception that any exit resets the 90-day counter is what created the situation. It does not. A new tourist visa is the only thing that resets legal entry status.
In-country extension starts at AED 990 for on-arrival 30-day visa holders and AED 1,190 for prearranged tourist visa holders. Both prices are all-inclusive government fee, security placing fee, document checking and approval PDF on WhatsApp. Airport-to-airport change with return flight: AED 1,690 to AED 1,790 for a new 30-day visa, AED 1,790 to AED 1,985 for 60 days. Express tourist visa for land border exit: AED 789 for 30 days, AED 989 for 60 days.
None. The grace period for tourist visas was removed in October 2024. Overstay fines of AED 50 per day begin the day after the visa's printed expiry date. Apply for an extension or exit before the printed expiry, not after it.
A prearranged tourist visa (Situation 3 Tourist Visa) can be extended twice in-country, 30 days per extension, giving up to 60 additional days without exiting. On-arrival 30-day visa holders can extend once in-country. The 90-day on-arrival visa cannot be extended in-country exit is required. After two extensions of a prearranged visa, exit is required.
Yes, for prearranged tourist visa holders (Situation 3 Tourist Visa) and 30-day on-arrival visa holders (Situation 1 13 nationalities). The 90-day on-arrival visa (Situation 1 74 nationalities) cannot be extended in-country. Preapproved 14-day permits (Situation 2 Preapproved Permit) can be extended once at an ICP or GDRFA centre only. All in-country extensions must be applied for before the current visa expires.
AED 50 per day flat rate, effective 11 February 2026, for tourists and residents alike. An exit permit fee of AED 250 to 350 also applies on departure. Fines must be settled at ICP or GDRFA before exit or before any new visa application is accepted. Pay online before going to the airport.
Through the ICP Smart Services portal (icp.gov.ae) for non-Dubai visas, or the GDRFA Dubai application for Dubai-issued visas. Licensed travel agencies submit through the same government portals on the applicant's behalf, with document checking and status tracking included.
ICP (icp.gov.ae) for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and all other emirates. GDRFA Dubai (gdrfad.gov.ae) for Dubai-issued visas. Both allow online status checks using passport number and expiry date. Check which authority issued your visa from the file number format or send it to the Arabiers desk for routing.
Passport valid for at least 6 months from the application date, copy of the current visa, passport photograph with white background, and a return or onward travel ticket. Nationals of Iraq, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan must also provide their national identity card. Documents are checked before submission missing or unclear documents are the most common cause of delay.
On-arrival 30-day visa extension: around 4 hours. Prearranged tourist visa extension: around 8 hours. Airport-to-airport visa change: same day. Express tourist visa for land border exit: 4 to 8 hours. All times assume complete, correct documents submitted at the start of processing.
Yes. Within the grace period following residence cancellation, a tourist visa can be obtained without leaving the UAE through the GDRFA Visa Change Without Exit service. If your passport qualifies for a visa on arrival, exiting and re-entering at a land border is also an option. The grace period begins on the cancellation date in the immigration system verify the exact date on the ICP portal.
No. Exiting the UAE while an in-country extension is being processed cancels the application. If travel is needed, withdraw the extension first, exit, and apply for a new tourist visa before re-entering.
Apply for an in-country extension at least 5 days before expiry. This keeps all options open. Applying the day before or day of expiry leaves only the airport-to-airport change as a fallback, which costs more. Extension from AED 990 for on-arrival, AED 1,190 for prearranged tourist visa, processed in 4 to 8 hours.
Legal and fee facts on this page are drawn from official UAE Government and airline visa-information sources. Practical guidance reflects Arabiers' own visa-desk operations.
Sohail oversees the processing of UAE visitor visas, Dubai express, tourist and urgent applications, in line with GDRFA and ICP requirements, and verifies Arabiers' visa guides before publication. With Arabiers since 2016, working across the Dubai, Delhi, Colombo and Doha offices.
in · View LinkedIn profile · Author pageThis guide is general information verified by Arabiers' UAE Visa & Travel Operations Manager. It is not legal advice. Visa rules are set by the UAE Government and can change. Confirm current requirements at icp.gov.ae or gdrfad.gov.ae before acting. Last reviewed 20 August 2026.