If your residence visa in the UAE has been cancelled or has expired, you may be concerned about how long you can remain in the country to secure a new job. Fortunately, UAE residents are provided with flexible grace periods that can vary from 30 days to six months, depending on the category of their residence visa.
If you are uncertain about the duration of your grace period, you can quickly check it online through the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) smart services portal at https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae/. Here is a simple guide on how to do so.
How to check your grace period online?
- To access the ICP smart services website, visit https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae/echannels/web/client/default.html#/login.
- Once on the website, navigate to the ‘Public Services’ tab on the menu and then click on ‘File Validity’.
- Choose between ‘search by file number’ or ‘passport information’ and select the type ‘Residency’.
- If you opt for the passport option, provide your passport number, expiry date, and nationality. If you choose the file number, enter either your Emirates ID number, Emirates Unified Number (UID number), or file number.
- Enter your date of birth and nationality.
- Complete the ‘I’m not a robot’ captcha and click the ‘Search’ button.
- You will then see the ‘allowed days to stay in the country’.
Pro tip: Upon receiving your UAE residence visa cancellation form, you will find the exact date by which you must leave the country or change your residency status at the bottom of the form. During the grace period, you have the option to either depart the UAE or apply for a new residence visa.
UAE visa overstaying fines
The UAE imposes a daily fine of Dh50 for individuals who overstay their visa, regardless of whether they hold a residency, visit, or tourist visa.
Also Read: Is your baby on board but you don’t have a residence visa yet? A guide for expat newborns (2024)