emirates visa extension guide 2026

Emirates Visa Extension Guide 2026: How to Extend Your Tourist & Visit Visa Online

03-Jan-2026 0 Comments 0 Views

Travelling to the Emirates has become more convenient with the new Emirates Visa Extension policy, allowing visitors to extend their stay without leaving the country. Under this reform, tourists and visitors can extend their visas twice—each time for 30 days—giving them a maximum stay of 60 additional days inside the Emirates.

Whether you are visiting for leisure or business, understanding the extension process helps you avoid penalties and enjoy a hassle-free trip. This detailed guide explains everything you need to know about the Emirates visa extension in 2026, including eligibility, documents, costs, and how to apply online.

Overview of Emirates Visa Extension Policy

  • Applicable to both Tourist Visa and Visit Visa holders.

  • Extension possible twice, each for 30 days, without exiting the country.

  • Maximum total extension: 60 days.

  • Fine of AED 100 per day applies if overstaying after grace period.

  • Easy application through the Emirates Visa Online portal.

Difference Between Tourist Visa and Visit Visa

Many travellers confuse a Tourist Visa with a Visit Visa. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Tourist Visa

  • Purpose: Leisure, sightseeing, or holidays.

  • Extension: Maximum of 40 days initially, with extension up to 60 days.

  • Cannot be converted into another visa type.

  • Sponsor: A relative, friend, hotel, or travel agency in the Emirates.

Visit Visa

  • Purpose: Business meetings, conferences, or professional activities.

  • Extension: Up to 90 days total.

  • Can be converted into an employment visa.

  • Sponsor: Must be a UAE citizen or resident employer.

Key Aspects of Emirates Visa Extension

If you are planning to stay longer in the Emirates, here are the rules to keep in mind:

  • Apply for extension before your visa expires.

  • Both single-entry and multiple-entry visas (30-day and 90-day) can be extended.

  • Grace period of 10 days is granted after expiry to renew your visa.

  • Overstaying beyond grace period results in AED 100 per day fine.

  • After your first 30-day extension, you can apply again for another 30 days.

  • No need to exit the country or cancel the previous visa under the new system.

Exempted Categories from Visa Extension

The following categories cannot benefit from the new extension policy:

  • GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) expatriates.

  • Travellers accompanying GCC expats.

Documents Required for Emirates Visa Extension

To extend your Emirates Tourist or Visit Visa, you’ll need:

  • Scanned copy of passport (first and last bio page).

  • Copy of existing or previous Emirates visa.

  • Recent passport-size photograph (white background).

  • Confirmed return airline ticket.

  • Completed Emirates visa extension application form.

Comparison: Tourist Visa vs Visit Visa & Extension Rules (2026)

Feature Tourist Visa Visit Visa
Primary Purpose Leisure, sightseeing, holidays Business meetings, conferences, professional visits
Initial Validity Up to 40 days Up to 90 days
Visa Extension Allowed Yes Yes
Extension Duration 30 days per extension 30 days per extension
Maximum Extensions 2 times 2 times
Maximum Total Extension Up to 60 additional days Up to 60 additional days
Exit Required for Extension No No
Grace Period After Expiry 10 days 10 days
Overstay Fine AED 100 per day AED 100 per day
Conversion to Other Visa ❌ Not allowed ✅ Allowed (e.g., employment visa)
Eligible Visa Types Single & Multiple Entry (30/90 days) Single & Multiple Entry
Sponsor Requirement Hotel, travel agency, friend, or relative UAE citizen or resident employer
Extension Application Mode Online (inside UAE) Online (inside UAE)
Exempted from Extension GCC expatriates & companions GCC expatriates & companions

How to Apply for Emirates Visa Extension Online

The simplest way to apply is through Emirates Visa Online, a trusted and government-recognized portal.

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Visit the Emirates Visa Online portal.

  2. Select Apply Emirates Visa from the homepage.

  3. Choose your nationality and current country of residence.

  4. Select the visa type you wish to extend.

  5. Fill out the online application form.

  6. Upload the required documents.

  7. Pay the applicable visa extension fee.

  8. Receive your Application ID (keep this safe to track your visa status).

Emirates Visa Extension Fees

  • Visa extension charges vary depending on the visa type and duration.

  • An additional fine of AED 100 applies if you apply on the last day of your visa validity.

  • Always check the latest visa extension fees on the Emirates Visa Online portal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, under the new Emirates Visa Extension policy, you can extend your visa twice, each for 30 days, without leaving the country.

No. Tourist visas cannot be converted into employment visas. You must first switch to a visit visa or employment entry permit as per UAE immigration rules.

Yes, but only within the 10-day grace period. After that, you must pay an overstay fine of AED 100 per day until the extension is approved or you exit the country.

The Emirates visa extension fee depends on the type of visa, but generally starts from around AED 600–800 per 30-day extension.

 

Overstaying beyond the grace period results in a fine of AED 100 per day until the visa is extended or renewed.

You can apply for an Emirates Tourist Visa Extension online before your visa expires. The extension is granted for 30 days and can be extended twice, allowing you to stay up to 60 additional days without leaving the UAE.

You can extend your Emirates Tourist or Visit Visa for a maximum of 60 additional days (30 days + 30 days).

 

Yes, the UAE allows a 10-day grace period after visa expiry to apply for an extension before fines start.

Yes. You can apply any time before expiry. Applying early is recommended to avoid delays or last-day technical issues.

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