How to Extend a UAE Visit Visa From Inside the UAE
You can extend most visit and tourist visas from inside the UAE. You do not need to leave the country. Extensions can be repeated up to a total-stay cap. Your sponsor must apply for the extension. For a tourist visa, the sponsor is the travel agency or airline. For a family visit visa, the sponsor is your family member. Apply through ICP if your visa was issued outside Dubai. Apply through GDRFA Dubai if your visa was issued in Dubai. Always apply before your current visa expires. After it expires, overstay fines of AED 50/day apply.
At a glance
- Cost:
- ICP: AED 100 application + AED 500 extension per 30-day extension; GDRFA Dubai: AED 600 + 5% VAT (+ inside-country charges where applicable) — confirm in portal
- Total time:
- Varies (typically days)
- Steps:
- 6 steps
- Where to apply:
- u.ae
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked every 6 months · next review due April 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official UAE sources(October 2026).
0 of 6 steps
- Before You Go Self-check
Check who issued your visa and when it expires
Was your visa issued in Dubai? Then you use GDRFA Dubai. Was it issued in another emirate, or through ICP? Then you use ICP. Write down your exact expiry date. Apply before that date, not after it.
Click to mark as done
- Before You Go Self-check
Confirm your visa can be extended
Per ICP, you can extend eligible visit and tourist entry permits more than once. The total stay cap is 120 days, or 180 days for relative/friend visit and job-exploration permits (per ICP service terms reported by Gulf News). A Dubai tourist visa extends for the same period as the original visa. Some categories cannot be extended. Examples are GCC-companion permits and 96-hour mission permits. There is also a maximum total stay, and it depends on your visa type. Check your maximum stay in the portal before you apply.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay Varies
Your sponsor applies
Your sponsor sends the extension application. For a tourist visa, the sponsor is the travel agency or tourism company. For a family visit visa, the sponsor is your family member. Apply on ICP Smart Services for visas issued outside Dubai. Apply on GDRFA Dubai for Dubai visas. Or apply at a typing centre or an Amer centre.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay At application From ~AED 600 per extension (varies by authority)
Pay the extension fees
Through ICP, you pay an AED 100 application fee. You also pay AED 500 for each 30-day extension. Through GDRFA Dubai, the extension fee is AED 600, plus 5% VAT. There may be extra inside-country charges, such as the Knowledge Dirham, the Innovation Dirham, and an inside-country fee. Check the exact total in the portal before you pay.
Click to mark as done
- Wait Varies
Wait for approval
Processing time depends on the authority and on your case. Keep your application reference number. Do not travel until your extension is confirmed.
Click to mark as done
- Receive On approval
Get the extended entry permit
Check the new expiry date on your extended permit. Have you used all your extensions? Then you must leave the UAE before you can apply for a new visa.
Click to mark as done
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who applies for the extension — me or my sponsor?
Your sponsor applies, not you. For a tourist visa, the travel agency or airline that issued it applies. For a family visit visa, your family sponsor applies.
How many times can I extend a visit visa?
Per ICP, you can extend visit and tourist entry permits more than once, as long as your total stay stays within the cap. The cap is 120 days for tourist permits and 180 days for relative/friend visit and job-exploration permits. Some categories cannot be extended at all.
What if my visa already expired?
Overstay fines of AED 50/day apply, per u.ae. Pay the fines and speak to the authority that issued your visa. An expired visa may no longer be extendable. You may have to leave the UAE.
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