The UAE tourist visa extension is capped by the federal identity authority, ICP, at 120 days in total for visit visas issued by tourism establishments, and 180 days for relative and job-seeker visas. ICP lists an AED 100 application fee and an AED 500 extension fee. Overstaying costs AED 50 a day.
Ranking pages disagree on how many extensions you get and what they cost. We read ICP’s visa extension service page on 9 October 2026. General information only, not official advice.
| Visa type | Total stay cap | Extension fees |
|---|---|---|
| Visit or tourism visa from a tourism establishment | 120 days | AED 100 application, AED 500 extension |
| Visiting a relative or friend | 180 days | AED 100 application, AED 500 extension |
| Exploring job opportunities or setting up a business | 180 days | AED 100 application, AED 500 extension |
| Medical treatment | 180 days | AED 100 application, AED 500 extension |
| 14-day visa for certain nationals living outside their home country | One extension, same period | AED 100 application, AED 250 extension |
UAE tourist visa extension: the caps ICP sets and what it charges
ICP’s visa extension page says a visit or tourism entry permit from a tourism establishment can be extended once or several times, as long as the total does not pass 120 days. Visits to a relative or friend, and permits for exploring jobs or a business, are capped at 180 days.
The fee lines are AED 100 for the application and AED 500 to extend. By our arithmetic those two add up to AED 600. ICP does not print a total, and it does not mention VAT.
How many days each extension adds is not stated. Nor does ICP give a number of extensions, only the total cap.
Which visa you hold decides the limit, and which cannot be extended
Some permits are closed to extension altogether. ICP lists entry permits for border areas, truck drivers, and workers on tourist ships and pleasure boats as non-extendable.
A 60-day visa issued to nationals of certain countries who live outside their home country cannot be extended. The 14-day version can be extended once, for the same period, at AED 250. A six-month multiple-entry permit for finishing Golden or Blue Residence steps can be extended once, for an equal period, at AED 1,000.
Applying through ICP: channels, documents and timing
ICP lists two channels for the extension: its smart app and its smart services website. Login uses UAE Pass. The service completion time is two days, and ICP sends an electronic notification when the extension is issued.
- Submit the application and check the data ICP retrieves.
- Attach your passport and a personal photo if retrieval fails. ICP asks for the same documents used when the visa was issued.
- Pay the fees and wait for the electronic notice.
You can also ask for an extension before arriving in the UAE. That is allowed once, for a period equal to the original, at AED 50.
The overstay fine and the grace period claim
ICP sets the fine for staying past the permitted period, or past the entry visa’s expiry, at AED 50 per day. Its extension page does not mention a grace period either way.
Several consultancy pages say the old 10-day grace period was removed in 2026. We found no official announcement saying so. Counting on a buffer you cannot see in writing is a risk, so apply before the visa expires.
Where rival pages disagree with ICP
A sales page says a 30-day visa can be extended five times, while another says three, and a third says twice. ICP gives no count at all. Totals quoted run from 90 to 180 days, against ICP’s two caps of 120 and 180.
On price, one page quotes AED 1,200 per extension and another says “AED 600 to over AED 1,000”. Khaleej Times reported in 2024 a fee of Dh600 plus five per cent VAT. ICP’s two lines are the only official figures we found. Those 2024 numbers may be out of date, and the Dubai route through GDRFA is not on ICP’s page.
What we could not confirm
Several practical points are left open by ICP’s page, and we found no official answer to any of the four below.
- How many extensions are allowed, and how many days each adds. Khaleej Times says 30 days, and ICP does not.
- Whether a grace period exists after expiry. ICP is silent, and others claim it was removed.
- The Dubai GDRFA route and its fees. They are not on ICP’s page.
- Any 2026 rule change. Time Out Dubai’s article sat behind a human-verification wall, so we did not read it.
If your visa falls outside the table, call ICP on 600522222 before paying a middleman.
Quick answers on UAE tourist visa extension
How long can I stay on a UAE tourist visa in total?
ICP caps visit visas from tourism establishments at 120 days in total, and relative or job-seeker visas at 180 days.
How much does an extension cost?
ICP lists AED 100 for the application plus AED 500 to extend, with no VAT mentioned.
What is the overstay fine?
AED 50 per day, per ICP.
Where do I apply?
On ICP’s smart services website or in its smart app, with UAE Pass. ICP lists a two-day completion time.
Last checked on 9 October 2026. Visa rules change, so confirm with ICP before relying on any figure.
