Most UAE tourist visas can be extended twice — adding up to 60 days of legal stay without leaving the country. The process is straightforward when started early, but a missed deadline pushes you into overstay-fine territory. This guide explains the exact 2026 process, fees, and the channels that work fastest.
Who can extend a UAE tourist visa
Almost every standard tourist visa issued through ICP, GDRFA, or an airline sponsor qualifies for extension. The original visa must still be valid (or within the grace period) at the time of application. Visit visas issued via family or company sponsorship usually follow the same rule, but the sponsor must initiate the extension.
- 30-day tourist visa: extendable twice (30 + 30 days).
- 60-day tourist visa: extendable twice (30 + 30 days).
- 96-hour and 48-hour transit visas: not extendable — you must exit and re-enter.
- Multi-entry tourist visa (5-year): extension is rarely needed; instead the holder exits and re-enters within the 90-day stay window.
2026 extension fees
| Item | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Standard 30-day extension (per extension) | 600 |
| ICP smart-services processing | 100 |
| e-service knowledge & innovation fees | 20 |
| Typing centre service fee | 50 – 150 |
| Express / urgent processing | + 100 – 250 |
Total per extension typically lands between AED 770 and AED 1,100. The second extension costs the same as the first.
Where to apply
- ICP smart services (icp.gov.ae or the UAEICP app) — covers Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, plus Dubai entries issued by ICP. Pay by card and the new entry permit is issued digitally.
- GDRFA Dubai (gdrfad.gov.ae or the GDRFA app) — for tourist visas originally issued through Dubai immigration. Extensions are processed under the "Visit Visa Extension" service.
- Accredited typing centre — useful for cash payment or assistance in Arabic. The clerk submits on your behalf through the same systems.
- Service provider — Visa Simplified files the extension, monitors the status, and forwards the new entry permit by email.
Documents required
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
- Current tourist visa / entry permit copy
- Recent passport photo (white background)
- Sponsor documents if the original visa was sponsored (Emirates ID, passport copy)
- Onward travel ticket may be requested by some channels
Best time to file
Apply at least 5–7 days before the visa expires. ICP recommends filing during the last 10 days of the current visa. Filing too early is rejected because the new period must connect seamlessly to the existing visa.
What happens after the extension is issued
The new 30-day period begins the day after the original visa expires (or on the issuance date if the original visa has already expired and you are within grace). You receive an updated entry permit PDF — store the file on your phone and present it if asked at hotels, banks, or by police.
If you miss the deadline
Once the original visa and any grace period expire, you are charged AED 50 per day in overstay fines. Extensions filed after expiry may be rejected, in which case the only option is to settle the fine and exit. Read our companion article on UAE visa overstay fines and amnesty options for what to do next.
Alternatives to a third extension
You can extend a UAE tourist visa only twice. After the second extension you must either exit the UAE, switch to a different visa class (residence, freelance, Green Visa), or apply for a fresh tourist visa from outside the country. If staying long-term is the goal, our freelance permit service converts a visit visa into a 2-year self-sponsored residence in roughly 10 working days.
Frequently asked questions
Can I extend a tourist visa for the third time?
No. UAE law caps tourist-visa extensions at two consecutive 30-day periods. A third extension request will be rejected.
Do I need to leave the country between extensions?
No. Both extensions are processed in-country, and the new period attaches to the previous one without an exit-and-re-entry.
Will I get refunded if my extension is rejected?
The application fee is refundable if rejection happens before processing. Once submitted and reviewed, the AED 600 government fee is non-refundable.
Can I work on an extended tourist visa?
No. Tourist and visit visas — extended or original — do not grant the right to work, freelance, or invoice UAE clients.
Is a medical test required for extension?
No. Medical fitness is required for residence visas, not tourist extensions.
Will extending affect my chances of returning later?
No. Two clean extensions are normal and do not flag your record. Overstaying without extending, however, may delay future visa approvals.
How we help
Visa Simplified handles the full extension process — eligibility check, document upload, government fees, status tracking, and digital delivery of the new entry permit. Most extensions are completed within 1–2 working days. Our service fee is fully refundable until the application is filed.
Need help with this?
Our PRO consultants handle the full process end-to-end — documents, government submission, and delivery. Service fee is fully refundable pre-submission.