UAE Visa Extension: What Kenyans Need to Know About Costs and Eligibility

The United Arab Emirates has eased rules for extending certain visitor visas, allowing eligible travellers to renew their permits without leaving the country.

Under the current rules administered by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), tourist entry permits can be extended multiple times, provided the total stay does not exceed 120 days. Visit visas issued for family reunions, job searches and business exploration have a longer limit and can be extended for up to 180 days. However, some permits cannot be renewed, including border-area passes, truck driver permits and visas issued to crew members of tourist vessels.

For visas issued in Dubai, extensions are handled by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) under the applicable rules.

Visa extension applications must be submitted by the sponsor rather than the visitor. Travel agencies and tourism companies typically handle tourist visa extensions, while family members or private sponsors are responsible for personal visit visas.

Applicants generally need to provide a valid passport, a recent photograph and documents submitted as part of the original visa application. Extension fees vary depending on the type of visa. Under ICP, standard tourist visa extensions attract a Dh100 application fee and a Dh500 extension fee, while 14-day visas cost Dh250. Certain specialised categories, including visas linked to Golden or Blue Residency procedures, carry fees of Dh1,000.

In Dubai, GDRFA charges Dh600 plus VAT for visa extensions. Applicants may also have to pay Knowledge and Innovation Dirhams charges and an additional Dh500 fee for processing from within the UAE. The final amount depends on the type of visa and the applicant's circumstances.

Visitors are also required to leave the UAE or extend their visas before their authorised stay expires. Those who overstay face a fine of Dh50 per day, with no automatic grace period.

The UAE has also introduced a jobseeker visa for skilled professionals and recent graduates. The visa is available for 60, 90 or 120 days and allows eligible foreign nationals to enter the country without a sponsor while looking for employment.

Applicants must hold at least a bachelor's degree and either belong to recognised professional categories or have graduated from one of the world's top 500 universities. The visa does not allow the holder to work in the UAE. Anyone who secures employment must obtain a separate work permit before starting work.

The jobseeker visa costs between KSh52,300 and KSh63,500, including a refundable security deposit.