The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) has withdrawn the fine waiver it granted in March to visitors stranded by regional airspace closures, signalling a return to normal immigration enforcement. Travellers who overstayed during the disruption now have until 9 July to exit the country or regularise their status; after that, standard penalties of AED 50 per day will apply and re-entry bans could be triggered. The waiver covered tourists and short-term business visitors caught by mass flight cancellations in February–March. With most carriers having restored schedules, the ICP says the exceptional measure is “no longer justified”. Overstayers must visit an ICP service centre or authorised typing office to pay reduced settlement fees and obtain exit permits. For global mobility teams the announcement closes a compliance loophole: any assignees who remained in the UAE past visa validity must act immediately or risk fines that cannot be expensed under most company policies. The ICP’s decision also underscores the authority’s push toward stricter status monitoring—part of a broader 2026 visa-system overhaul that has expanded e-channels and real-time data sharing with airlines. Immigration lawyers advise companies to audit travel records against passport stamps and airline manifests, ensuring no employee slips past the grace period. The move may also prompt a short-term surge in visa-run traffic to Oman and Georgia as individuals reset their stay allowances before summer peak.
Source: Dubai Times
