UAE Emergency Visa Measures 2026: Re-Entry Amnesty, Visitor Grace Period, and Humanitarian Stay Permit

The UAE has activated three separate emergency immigration measures in response to the current conflict: an expired-visa re-entry amnesty for residents stranded abroad, a 30-day grace period with overstay fine waivers for visitors, and a one-year humanitarian stay permit for nationals of conflict-affected countries. These sit alongside the standard family visa sponsorship process, which continues to operate. This guide explains each mechanism — who qualifies, how to apply, what documents you need, and the deadlines you must not miss.

The information below is current as of 20 March 2026. The ICP expired-visa re-entry window closes on 31 March 2026. If you or a family member are affected, act now — these measures are time-limited and there is no confirmation yet of an extension.

Mechanism 1: Expired-Visa Re-Entry Amnesty (Residents Abroad)

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) announced a temporary measure allowing expatriate residents whose residence visas expired while they were outside the UAE to re-enter without obtaining a new entry permit. This is the most significant of the three emergency measures and directly addresses the thousands of residents who were caught abroad when airspace closed on 28 February.

Parameter	Details
Who qualifies	UAE residence visa holders who were outside the country and whose visa expired on or after 28 February 2026, and who were unable to return due to airspace closures or flight suspensions
What it allows	Re-entry to the UAE without applying for a new entry permit. Normally, if your residence visa expires while you are abroad, you must obtain a fresh entry permit before returning.
Validity window	28 February – 31 March 2026. You must physically enter the UAE before this deadline. No confirmation of extension has been announced.
Fines	No financial penalties for the visa expiry during this window
What to do after arrival	Regularise your status through standard ICP/GDRFA procedures — renew your residence visa and Emirates ID through normal channels
Family members	The measure applies equally to dependants. ICP explicitly referenced family reunification — a head of household or any family member whose residency expired while abroad can return and resume their life with their family.

What to carry when boarding: Airlines may request evidence of previous UAE residency during check-in. Carry your expired Emirates ID (physical or digital copy), your expired residence visa page, and your passport. These documents help airlines and immigration authorities verify eligibility.

Critical note: This amnesty applies only to visas that expired on or after 28 February 2026. If your visa expired before this date (for example, due to the 180-day absence rule), the standard re-entry permit process applies — the amnesty does not cover pre-existing expirations.

Mechanism 2: 30-Day Grace Period for Visitors (Inside the UAE)

GDRFA Dubai activated an emergency visa-extension policy effective 8 March 2026 for tourists, business visitors, and transit passengers stranded inside the UAE.

Parameter	Details
Who qualifies	Holders of tourist, visit, transit, or single-entry business visas that expired between 28 February and 31 March 2026, who are physically inside the UAE and unable to leave due to cancelled flights or airspace restrictions
Automatic grace period	30 days from the date of visa expiry, applied automatically once you submit evidence of travel disruption
Overstay fines	Standard AED 100/day overstay fines suspended while application is in process. Fine waivers are being granted on a case-by-case basis where the overstay is directly linked to disruption — you must present proof of cancelled flights.
Further extension	If you cannot depart within the 30-day grace period, you can apply for a further 30-day extension (free of charge) or for the one-year humanitarian stay permit (Mechanism 3 below)
How to apply	GDRFA app (fastest) | ICP Smart Services portal | Amer typing centres | In-person at GDRFA Al Jaffiliya HQ
Required documents	Passport copy, current visa copy, airline cancellation notices or rebooking confirmations, hotel booking or accommodation proof
Processing time	1–3 working days
Children	Children under 18 on a parent’s visa are extended automatically when the parent’s extension is granted. Bring birth certificates to prove the relationship.

Practical tip: Keep every piece of evidence — airline cancellation emails, WhatsApp messages from airlines, rebooking attempts, hotel invoices. GDRFA adjudicators require clear causality between the flight cancellation and your overstay. Screenshots of airline apps showing “flight cancelled” are accepted.

Mechanism 3: One-Year Humanitarian Stay Permit

The UAE offers a one-year renewable stay permit on humanitarian grounds for nationals of countries experiencing war or conflict who cannot safely return. This mechanism predates the current crisis but has been activated and expanded in response to it.

Parameter	Details
Who qualifies	Nationals of conflict-affected countries who are inside the UAE and cannot safely return to their home country. During the current crisis, this has been extended to visitors from countries whose airspace remains inaccessible.
Duration	One year, renewable if conditions persist
Sponsor requirement	No sponsor required in some cases — the permit is issued on humanitarian grounds by GDRFA/ICP directly
Rights granted	Legal residency in the UAE, enabling lease contracts, SIM card registration, and banking services. This converts a stranded visitor into a temporary resident.
How to apply	GDRFA service centres | ICP Smart Services | Amer typing centres. Present passport and evidence that your home country is experiencing conflict or that return is unsafe.
Renewal	Case must be referred to a competent committee for renewal. The permit becomes invalid if the situation changes or the holder no longer meets the conditions.

This permit is the most comprehensive of the three mechanisms — it provides full temporary residency, not just an extension. It is particularly relevant for visitors who were in the UAE on short-term visas when the conflict began and now face an extended stay of uncertain duration.

Standard Family Visa Sponsorship (Ongoing)

The emergency measures above are temporary. The standard family visa sponsorship process continues to operate for residents who want to bring dependants to the UAE on a long-term basis. If you are a UAE resident and want to sponsor a spouse, children, parents, or other eligible family members, the normal route is:

1. Confirm eligibility: Minimum salary requirement of AED 4,000/month (or AED 3,000 + accommodation) for spouse and children sponsorship. Higher thresholds apply for parent sponsorship.
2. Apply for an entry permit through ICP Smart Services (non-Dubai emirates) or GDRFA (Dubai). Processing time: typically 2–5 working days.
3. Your family member enters the UAE on the entry permit (valid for 60 days from issuance).
4. Complete residency formalities: Medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometrics, and residence visa stamping — all within 60 days of entry.

Current processing note: GDRFA and ICP service centres are operational but on emergency protocols. Processing times may be longer than normal. Online applications through the GDRFA and ICP apps are functioning and are the recommended channel to avoid in-person queues.

Specific Situations: Which Mechanism Applies

Your Situation	Which Mechanism	Deadline
You are a UAE resident abroad and your residence visa expired after 28 Feb	Mechanism 1 — Re-enter without new entry permit, regularise on arrival	Enter by 31 March 2026
You are a tourist/visitor inside the UAE and your visa expired after 28 Feb	Mechanism 2 — 30-day automatic grace period + fine waiver	Apply via GDRFA app now
You are inside the UAE on any visa and cannot return to your home country due to conflict	Mechanism 3 — One-year humanitarian stay permit	No fixed deadline — apply at GDRFA/ICP
You are a UAE resident and want to bring your family to the UAE permanently	Standard family sponsorship — normal entry permit + residence visa process	Ongoing — no special deadline
Your family member’s dependent visa expired while they were abroad	Mechanism 1 applies to dependants too — they can re-enter and regularise	Enter by 31 March 2026
Your residence visa expired before 28 Feb while you were abroad (e.g., 180-day absence)	None of the emergency mechanisms apply. Standard re-entry permit process applies. The earlier ICP amnesty (expiring 31 March) may cover some cases — check directly with ICP.	N/A — standard process

How to Apply: Step by Step

For Mechanism 1 (Re-Entry Amnesty — You Are Abroad)

1. Book your flight to the UAE. Limited commercial flights are operating from various international airports. Check airline websites for availability — airports may close with little notice.
2. Carry documentation: Expired Emirates ID (physical or digital), expired residence visa page, passport, and any evidence of travel disruption (cancelled flight notifications).
3. At check-in: Airlines may verify your previous UAE residency. Show your documents. The airline should have been notified of the ICP measure.
4. On arrival at UAE immigration: Present your passport and expired documents. Immigration officers will process your entry under the amnesty.
5. After arrival: Visit an ICP or GDRFA service centre (or use the app) to renew your residence visa and Emirates ID through standard procedures. No fines apply for the expiry period.

For Mechanism 2 (Grace Period — You Are Inside the UAE)

1. Download the GDRFA app (iOS/Android) or access ICP Smart Services.
2. Select “Visa Services” → “Extend Stay” (or equivalent option for your visa type).
3. Upload: Passport copy, current/expired visa copy, airline cancellation proof.
4. Pay: Standard extension fee is AED 600–800, though fees may be waived in emergency cases.
5. Wait: 1–3 working days for approval. Approval is sent via email and app notification.
6. If you need more time: Apply for a further 30-day extension or for the humanitarian permit (Mechanism 3).

For Mechanism 3 (Humanitarian Permit)

1. Visit a GDRFA service centre, Amer typing centre, or use the ICP Smart Services portal.
2. Present: Passport, current visa (or evidence of expired visa), and evidence that your home country is experiencing conflict or that return is unsafe. An embassy letter confirming conditions in your home country strengthens the application.
3. Processing: The application is reviewed by GDRFA/ICP. If approved, you receive a one-year residence permit.
4. After approval: Complete medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics as required for any residence visa.

What These Measures Do Not Cover

• New entry for people with no prior UAE connection. The emergency measures are for people who already hold (or recently held) UAE visas. If you have never had a UAE visa and want to enter the country for the first time during the crisis, you need to apply through the standard visa process — tourist visa, visit visa, or employment visa.
• Work authorisation. The humanitarian stay permit and visitor grace period allow legal presence in the UAE but do not authorise employment. To work, you still need a MOHRE work permit and employment visa through a sponsoring employer.
• Visa expiries before 28 February 2026. The ICP re-entry amnesty specifically covers visas that expired on or after 28 February. If your visa expired earlier — for any reason — the standard renewal or re-entry process applies.
• Social media restrictions. Emergency visa holders are subject to the same UAE laws as all other residents and visitors, including the cybercrime law. Having a humanitarian permit does not provide any exemption from content restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the 31 March deadline for the re-entry amnesty be extended?

No extension has been announced as of 20 March 2026. The ICP stated the measure applies from 28 February to 31 March. If an extension is issued, it will be communicated through official ICP channels. Do not rely on an assumption of extension — if you are eligible and can travel, enter the UAE before 31 March to be safe.

Can I enter the UAE on an expired visa through a land border?

The ICP measure covers all UAE entry points, including airports and land borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia. Land borders are open, though Oman and Saudi Arabia continue to enforce their own visa requirements for transit. If arriving overland, carry the same documentation as you would for a flight.

I am a visitor with an expired visa. Can I get a job while on the grace period?

The 30-day grace period and the humanitarian stay permit allow legal presence but not employment. To work, an employer must sponsor you through the standard MOHRE work permit and employment visa process. However, being legally present in the UAE on a grace period or humanitarian permit means you can search for employment and attend interviews — you simply cannot start working until the employment visa is issued.

Does the humanitarian permit lead to permanent residency or citizenship?

No. The humanitarian stay permit is a temporary one-year measure, renewable if conditions persist. It does not create a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship. It is designed to provide legal status while the holder’s home country remains unsafe.

My family member is in a country with no UAE embassy. How can they apply for an entry permit?

If there is no UAE embassy or consulate in the family member’s current country, the sponsor in the UAE applies for the entry permit through ICP/GDRFA. The entry permit is issued electronically and emailed to the applicant — no embassy visit is required. The family member uses this electronic entry permit to board a flight to the UAE. For countries where UAE embassy services are available, the MOFA website lists all UAE missions worldwide.

What if I cannot afford the medical fitness test and Emirates ID fees after arrival?

Standard fees apply for residency formalities (medical fitness test approximately AED 300–500, Emirates ID AED 100–370 depending on visa duration). These fees have not been waived under the emergency measures. If you face financial hardship, contact the GDRFA social support services or your embassy for assistance. Some community organisations and charitable foundations in the UAE provide support for stranded residents.

I am on a Golden Visa. Does this affect me?

Golden Visa holders are exempt from the standard 180-day absence rule — your visa does not automatically cancel if you are abroad for extended periods. If your Golden Visa is currently valid, you can return to the UAE at any time without needing the amnesty. MOFA provides a dedicated 24/7 hotline for Golden Visa holders abroad: +971 2 493 1133. If your Golden Visa expired while abroad, the Mechanism 1 amnesty would apply.

Can I sponsor my parents to come to the UAE during the crisis?

Standard parent sponsorship rules apply. You need a minimum salary of AED 20,000/month (or AED 19,000 + accommodation) and adequate housing. The process has not been simplified for the crisis — parent sponsorship remains one of the most restrictive family visa categories. If your parent is currently stranded in the UAE on an expired visit visa, Mechanism 2 (grace period) or Mechanism 3 (humanitarian permit) may provide temporary legal status while you process the sponsorship.

Contact Information

Authority	Contact
ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security)	600 522 222 | smartservices.icp.gov.ae | UAEICP app
GDRFA Dubai	800 5111 | gdrfad.gov.ae | GDRFA Dubai app
Amer Service (typing centres)	800 5111
MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Golden Visa hotline)	+971 2 493 1133 (24/7, Golden Visa holders only)

Official Sources

• Gulf News — UAE Allows Expats Abroad with Expired Visas to Return Without New Entry Permit
• GDRFA Dubai — Issuance of a Residence Permit for Humanitarian Cases
• UAE Government Portal — General Provisions for the Residence Visa (180-day rule and exceptions)
• ICP Smart Services Portal
• GDRFA Dubai Official Website

Emergency immigration measures are time-limited and subject to change. This guide is informational and does not constitute legal advice. Confirm current procedures directly with ICP (600 522 222) or GDRFA Dubai (800 5111) before acting.