UAE grants 30-day grace period for visa holders hit by flight disruptions
The UAE's ICP granted a 30-day grace period, June 10 to July 9, 2026, for visa holders who could not depart after the February airspace closures.
The UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) granted a 30-day grace period running from June 10 to July 9, 2026 for foreign nationals who were unable to leave the country after regional airspace closures and flight suspensions that began on February 28, 2026. Affected individuals may regularise their status or depart without penalties.
What's changed
The grace period follows an earlier ICP decision in March 2026 that exempted affected individuals from overstay fines while regional flight disruptions continued. The authority said the circumstances that required the exemption no longer apply, citing restored stability in the region, and set the 30-day window for affected individuals to either settle their legal status or leave the country without penalties.
Beneficiaries of the original fine exemption are not required to take any additional action. Those who intend to remain in the UAE must complete the relevant status-regularisation process before the window closes on July 9, 2026.
Who's affected
The measure applies to foreign nationals whose stay was disrupted by the airspace closures, including holders of tourist, visit, and employment visas, individuals holding departure permits, and former residents whose visas had been cancelled but who could not travel. The grace period does not change visa requirements for travellers who were not affected by the February disruptions.
When it takes effect
The grace period runs from June 10 to July 9, 2026. After July 9, standard overstay fines and administrative measures resume for individuals who have neither regularised their status nor departed. The ICP administers status settlement through its standard service channels.