Will you have to pay fines if your visa has expired and you cannot leave? What if you are stuck outside the UAE and can't fly back?

Several readers have written to Khaleej Times enquiring about the recent order on exemption of fines for residence visa holders.



These questions were answered by the Amer call centre of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), Dubai.



Here are some of the most common queries:



Q. I want to know if exemption of visit visa holders from fines is available for everyone no matter how long one overstays in the three- month period. Also, what is the starting and ending date of the exemption duration?



The visa exemption is for all types of entry permits which expired during the flight suspension, and the exemption time frame is from March 1 until end of May 2020.



Q. My brother is here on a visit visa and now he is in his grace period. Once the grace period is over and if he remains here, will he be subject to overstay fines?



If the grace period of his visa was over during the flight suspension, he will be exempted from paying the fines.



Q. My wife landed in the UAE on January 5, 2020 and her last date in UAE was 02/03/2020. She is here on a visit visa. In the current situation, I have no clue if I have to apply for a visa extension or she can stay in UAE without any problem.



As per the last update, she is exempted from fines.



Q. My visit visa will expire by the end of this month. I just wish to find out what I should do to renew it. Please, I don't want to pay any overstay fine.



Please note that you can extend through the mobile app if the visit visa is under a personal sponsorship, or contact the travel agency and airline company if it is under their sponsorship.



Q. My brother's visit visa is about to expire and I'm desperately waiting for an update or any news on visa extension because he can't go due to lockdown of airports in India. If there is any charge then please let me know. How much are the fees for 1 or 3 months?



Please note that the visit/tourist visa extension fees is Dh815.



Q. My wife's visa will expire on May 6. Today morning I heard that the visit visa can be renewed for the next three months without payment. Until when can my wife can stay in UAE?



The visa exemption is for all types of entry permits which expired during the flight suspension and the exemption is until the flight suspension is over or till end of May 2020, whichever is sooner.



Q. My sister and her son's 3-month visit visa is expiring on April 8 and I want to know how we can extend it for one month or three months. Our travel agent asking for Dh1,700 for one month. Please let me know and advise what we do. Will there be a fine?



The visa exemption is for all types of entry permits which expired during the flight suspension and the exemption is until the flight suspension is over or till end of May 2020, whichever is sooner.



Q. I have my UAE visa for three months. I want to ask: Due to the closure of borders and the Covid-19 pandemic, will the validity of my visa be extended as I am not currently in the UAE?



Since you are out of UAE, your visa is no longer valid.



Q. I'm holding a tourist visa that will expire on April 7. When will the three-month overstay exemption start? And what are the best options and procedures?



The visa exemption is for all types of entry permits which expired during the flight suspension and the exemption is until the flight suspension is over or till end of May 2020, whichever is sooner.



Q. What about the cancelled residence visas? I think I have 12 days to leave the country after visa cancellation. What shall I do in such a case?



Please be informed that if your situation occurred during the flight suspension, so you will get 30 days from the date they remove the flight suspension to leave UAE.



Q. We just paid to our agent to extend the visa of my in-laws. We have asked the agent to hold the processing. Is there any way we can legally request the agents to refund the money?



If the amount is paid, there will be no refund.



Q. I am worried because my visit visa is going to expire this week. What should I do? I don't have enough money to renew my visit visa because all of the agencies are overpricing the visa fees and I can't afford it.



The visa exemption is for all types of entry permits which expired during the flight suspension, and the exemption is till the flight suspension is over or till end of May 2020, whichever is sooner.



Q. I just renewed my mother's visit visa through a travel agent. I paid Dh2,300 and now I saw the news. Can I get a refund?



If the amount is paid, there will be no refund.



Q. I hold a UAE residence visa. My designation is partner. The visa expired on April 2, 2020. I am at present stuck in Mumbai. What will be the procedure to reach UAE as the visa has expired. I won't be allowed to return by airlines and the Indian Immigration. Kindly inform about the procedure in such case.



As per the final update, a resident whose residence visa has expired outside the UAE during the flight suspension will get 30 days to return to the UAE from the date of flight resumption.



Note: All the above mentioned answers are subject to change.