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0Quick Answer: Yes — you can extend a UAE tourist or visit visa without leaving the country. Most 30-day tourist visas can be extended twice (30 days each), and a 60-day visa once, applied through ICP or GDRFA channels before the visa expires. Dubai (GDRFA) charges a base extension fee of AED 600 + 5% VAT, with additional charges where applicable; ICP-issued visas use a different fee structure. There is no grace period — overstay fines start at AED 50 per day from Day 1.
Need it done for you? Emirates Visa manages the entire extension process on your behalf — apply through us and we'll make sure it's filed correctly and before your deadline.
If your stay in the UAE is coming to an end and you're not ready to leave, a visa extension lets you remain in the country legally for an additional period. Whether you are visiting Dubai on a tourist visa, staying with family on a visit visa, or simply need more time for business, extending your visa from inside the UAE is now faster and more straightforward than it used to be — the old requirement to exit and re-enter (a "visa run") has been removed for most categories.
This guide explains exactly who can extend, how many times, the latest 2026 charges from each issuing authority, the documents you need, and the step-by-step application process. Acting before your visa expires is essential, because overstay penalties now apply immediately with no buffer.
At Emirates Visa, we handle UAE visa extensions for you end to end — checking your eligibility, preparing your documents, submitting through the correct authority, and tracking your application until it's approved, so you stay in the UAE legally without the paperwork or the deadline risk.
* Total time spent in the UAE on visit/tourist visas should not exceed the limits set by the issuing authority. As a general rule, a visitor should not spend more than 180 days in any 365-day period across visits and extensions.
UAE Visa Extension Charges 2026
There is no single nationwide "extension fee" — the total depends on which authority issued your visa, your emirate, the visa type, and whether you are already inside the UAE. The two main fee structures are:
ICP (federal) extension fees
GDRFA Dubai extension fees
Total to expect: an in-country Dubai extension commonly totals around AED 1,100–1,200 once VAT, dirham charges, and the inside-country fee are added. A simpler extension (no inside-country fee) can be closer to AED 630–700.
Extending Through Emirates Visa
Emirates Visa is a UAE visa and visit-visa services provider that helps tourists and visitors apply for, renew, and extend their UAE visas without the stress of handling government portals themselves. When you extend through us, you pay the applicable government charges shown above plus our service fee, which covers end-to-end handling: eligibility check, document preparation and review, submission through the correct authority, and tracking your application to approval before your deadline.
Our service fee is confirmed upfront before you commit — so you always know the full, all-in cost (government charges + our handling) with no surprises. Contact us for a quote based on your visa type.
Dubai Visit Visa Extension Charges (GDRFA)
For a Dubai-issued tourist or visit visa, the GDRFA extension is granted in 30-day blocks and can be obtained a maximum of two times, adding up to 60 extra days. The headline base fee is AED 600 + 5% VAT, with the additional dirham and inside-country charges shown in the table above where they apply. Approval typically arrives within 48–72 hours once documents are accepted.
Documents Required for a UAE Visa Extension
- Valid passport (with at least 6 months' validity)
- Copy of your current visa / entry permit
- Recent passport-size photograph (compliant with UAE specifications)
- Emirates ID, if you hold one
- Proof of accommodation or onward travel (sometimes requested)
- A valid reason for the extension (tourism, family visit, business, medical)
Requirements can vary slightly by application channel and individual case, so confirm the exact checklist when you start your application.
How to Extend Your UAE Visa Online — Step by Step
- Choose the correct authority — ICP Smart Services for federal visas (most emirates), or GDRFA Dubai for Dubai-issued visas.
- Log in using your UAE Pass or registered account on the portal or app.
- Select the visa extension / tourist visa extension service and start a new application.
- Enter your visa, entry-permit, and passport details.
- Upload the required documents (passport copy, current visa, photo, and any supporting documents).
- Pay the applicable fees online by card.
- Track your application status; you'll receive SMS/email confirmation once approved.
- Download and save a copy of your updated visa for your records and for airline check-in when you depart.
Timing tip: Apply at least 5–7 days before your current visa expires. Processing usually takes 3–5 working days, and a late application risks completing after expiry — which means fines, not an extension.
Prefer to skip the portal? You don't have to navigate the application yourself. When you extend through Emirates Visa, the process is simple:
- Share your details by contact Emirates Visa: Send us your passport, current visa, and visa type — we confirm your eligibility and how many extensions you have left.
- Get your all-in quote: We confirm the full cost upfront — government charges plus our service fee — with no surprises.
- We prepare and submit: Our team checks your documents, fixes any issues, and files the extension through the correct authority (ICP or GDRFA).
- We track to approval: We monitor your application and keep you updated, then send your extended visa — all completed before your deadline.
One deadline to remember: apply before your current visa expires. Start your extension with Emirates Visa and we'll take it from there.
Overstay Fines: There Is No Grace Period
Since the ICP unified fine system took effect on 11 February 2026, overstay penalties are standardised at AED 50 per day across all visa categories and all emirates. Critically, the previous tourist-visa grace period has been removed — fines begin accruing from the first day after your visa expires, with no buffer.
Unpaid fines are flagged automatically at airport and land-border smart gates and can trigger travel/departure bans and block future visa applications. This is exactly why you should extend before expiry rather than relying on any grace window — there isn't one.
Renew vs. Extend a UAE Visa: What's the Difference?
Extend: Adding more time to your current visit/tourist visa while it is still valid, without leaving the country — covered throughout this guide.
Renew: Obtaining a fresh visa, usually after the current one has been used up or has expired, or when changing visa type (for example, moving from a tourist visa to a residence or employment visa via a status change). A renewal is effectively a new application rather than an add-on to the existing visa.
If you've already used your maximum extensions, a fresh visa (renewal) or a status change is the route to staying longer. We can advise which option fits your situation.
Extend Your UAE Visa With Emirates Visa
Extending a visa correctly and on time matters — a single missed deadline can mean fines and a travel ban. Emirates Visa manages the entire extension for you:
- We confirm your eligibility and the exact number of extensions available for your visa type.
- We prepare and check your documents so your application isn't delayed or rejected over a formatting issue.
- We submit and track the application through the correct authority and keep you updated until approval.
- We make sure you act before expiry so you never fall into the no-grace-period penalty window.
Ready to extend your UAE visa? Start your application with Emirates Visa today and stay in the UAE legally — we handle the process from start to finish.
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