The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) announced a blanket waiver of visa-overstay penalties for residents, tourists and business travellers unable to depart because of cancelled flights. The exemption applies retroactively from 28 February and remains in force “until normal flight operations resume”. Visitors on tourist or visit visas, expatriates whose residence permits were cancelled, and passengers who had already initiated exit-permit procedures will all benefit. Those who already paid fines after their authorised stay expired can apply for refunds within 30 days. ICP task teams have been deployed at airports and customer-happiness centres to process requests and issue temporary status extensions. For global-mobility managers, the decision removes an immediate compliance headache. Overstaying—even involuntarily—normally incurs AED 50 (≈ US$13.60) per day and can result in future entry bans. Companies relocating staff or housing project teams in the UAE can now focus on re-booking travel without budget shocks or immigration-risk exposure. Practically, travellers should keep boarding-pass copies and airline cancellation notices as evidence when filing for fine reversal. Mobility specialists should also update assignment letters and ensure health-insurance policies remain valid for the extended period of stay.
Source: What’s On
