From 30 Days to 6 Months: Which UAE Visa Grace Period Applies to You?
Dubai: How Long Can You Stay After Your UAE Residence Visa Expires or Is Cancelled?
If your UAE residence visa has expired or been cancelled, you do not have to leave the country immediately. However, the time you are allowed to stay depends on your visa category, and exceeding the permitted period could result in overstay fines.
Grace periods vary from 30 days for many standard employment visa holders to up to 180 days (six months) for Golden Visa and Green Visa holders, their sponsored dependents, and certain categories of skilled professionals.
To check your exact grace period and final departure date, you can use the official online services of the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). The process takes only a few minutes and requires your passport details or Emirates ID number.
Here is a step-by-step guide to check your UAE visa grace period online.
UAE Grace Periods by Visa Category
The grace period allowed after a UAE residence visa expires or is cancelled depends on the type of residency and the holder’s category. The available grace periods are as follows:
Six-month grace period
A six-month grace period is granted to the following categories:
- Golden Residency holders and their family members
- Green Residency holders and their family members
- Widows or divorcees of foreign residents in the UAE
- Students who have completed their studies and are sponsored by universities or colleges in the UAE
- Residents working in skilled professions classified under Levels 1 and 2 by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
90-day grace period
The 90-day grace period applies to:
- Skilled workers classified under Levels 1 to 3
- Property owners
60-day grace period
A 60-day grace period applies to:
- Residence permits issued with a guarantor or host
30-day grace period
A 30-day grace period applies to all other residence visa categories not covered under the longer grace periods.
Additional tip:
Once your UAE residence visa cancellation form is issued, you can find your exact departure deadline or the date by which you must change your residency status printed at the bottom of the document.
How to Check Your UAE Grace Period Online
If you are unsure about your allowed stay period after visa cancellation or expiry, you can check your grace period online within minutes through the ICP Smart Services portal.
Step 1: Visit the ICP Smart Services website
Go to the official ICP Smart Services portal: smartservices.icp.gov.ae
Step 2: Select File Validity
From the menu, click on Public Services, then select File Validity.
Step 3: Choose your search option
Select either search by file number or search using passport information, and choose Residency as the file type.
Step 4: Enter your document details
- If you select passport information: Enter your passport number, passport expiry date, and nationality.
- If you select file number: Enter your Emirates ID number, Emirates Unified Number (UID), or file number.
Step 5: Enter personal details
Provide your date of birth and nationality to proceed with the search.
Step 6: View your results
Click the Search button to view your visa status details, including the number of days you are allowed to remain in the UAE.
Staying in the UAE beyond your permitted grace period without obtaining a new residence visa or changing your status may result in overstay fines.
To avoid penalties, always confirm your exact deadline through the ICP Smart Services portal or refer to your official visa cancellation form to ensure compliance with UAE residency requirements.
