FAQ: After job loss, an expat is unaware of grace period limits. Accumulates AED 50/day overstay fines. Unable to exit due to outstanding obligations. How to resolve the situation with visa overstay and related fines?

Answer:

When an employment residence permit is cancelled, the employee does not automatically become illegal — but a countdown begins. A grace period is granted to either find a new sponsor or leave the UAE. Many people are unaware of this deadline and accumulate overstay fines of AED 50 per day without realising it. The situation is resolvable, but requires immediate action once the grace period has expired.

LEGAL BASIS

- Cabinet Decision No. 89 of 2022 Concerning Administrative Fines for Violations Related to Services of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security

Overstay fine: AED 50 per day as per the Decision’s Annex, accruing from the day after the grace period expires.

GRACE PERIOD — KEY RULES

Important: The grace period begins from the official cancellation date recorded by ICP/GDRFA — not from the last working day. T...