UAE Grants a Final 30-Day Grace Period for Visas Affected by Regional Flight Disruptions

The sequence began on 28 February 2026, when regional airspace closures and flight suspensions left many residents and visitors unable to leave the UAE before their visas expired. In March 2026, the ICP exempted those affected from overstay fines. With regional stability now restored, the ICP has set a final 30-day window — 10 June to 9 July 2026 — to bring that exceptional arrangement to a close.

In the ICP’s words, the initiative gives eligible individuals "a final opportunity to either regularise their legal status and continue living and working in the UAE, or depart the country without incurring penalties." Beneficiaries are not required to take any additional action to avoid the previously accrued fines, but those who wish to stay must regularise their status within this window.

This is a targeted measure, not a general overstay amnesty. It applies to people whose visas lapsed specifically because the February 2026 flight disruptions prevented them from travelling — including visitors on expired tourist or visit visas, employment visa holders, those already holding departure permits, and former residents whose visas were cancelled before they could leave.

If you are in that group, you have two penalty-free routes during the window. You can regularise your status — for example, by renewing your visa, applying for a new visit visa, or changing your visa status to remain in the UAE for work or residence. Or you can depart the UAE before 9 July 2026 without paying the overstay fines that would otherwise have accrued.

After 9 July 2026, the ICP reinstates full enforcement: standard overstay fines and the normal rules apply again. If your situation is unrelated to the flight disruptions, the regular UAE visa rules and grace periods continue to apply to you as usual.

1. 1Confirm whether you are in the affected group — a UAE visa that expired because the regional flight disruptions from 28 February 2026 stopped you travelling.
2. 2Decide before 9 July 2026 whether you will regularise your status to stay, or depart the UAE. Both are penalty-free within the window.
3. 3If you are staying, regularise promptly — renew your visa, apply for a new visit visa, or change your visa status. OraVisa can handle UAE visit-visa extensions and status changes from start to finish.
4. 4If you are leaving, exit the UAE before 9 July 2026 so your departure falls within the grace period and no overstay fine applies.
5. 5Act now — the window closes on 9 July 2026, after which standard overstay fines and full enforcement resume.

This update is based on the announcement by the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP), published via the UAE Government Portal (u.ae), as of 23 June 2026. The grace period runs from 10 June to 9 July 2026, after which full enforcement resumes. This analysis is provided for informational purposes to help UAE residents and visitors understand the measure. It does not constitute legal advice. For the latest official information, refer to the ICP (icp.gov.ae) and the UAE Government Portal (u.ae).