Dubai Waives Overstay Fines for Travelers Impacted by Rain

Publish date: Tuesday، 23 April 2024

Overstay fines were waived for residents and visitors in Dubai whose flights were delayed or canceled due to severe rainfall last week. This move comes as a relief to many who faced uncertainty during the unexpected weather disruption.

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Disrupted Travel Plans

Kurt Cervales, a resident of Dubai, was supposed to depart the city on April 16, which marked the last day of his 30-day grace period following the cancellation of his visa. However, his plans were derailed when a major rainstorm halted all flights. His rescheduled flight on April 17 was also canceled due to significant disruption at Dubai International Airport.

Cervales, previously employed at a major UAE retailer, expressed his concern over potential overstay fines, which accumulate at Dh50 per day beyond the grace period.

No Overstay Fines Charged

To Cervales’ surprise, when he reached the immigration counter on Monday, he was informed that he would not be charged any fines for overstaying. This leniency extended to other travelers as well, according to MRG Pinas Travel, a Dubai-based travel agency.

The agency confirmed that travelers with delayed flights due to the rainstorm experienced similar waivers, with some visit visa holders set to travel on April 17 but only able to depart today.

A call center executive from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai confirmed that overstay fines were waived for travelers affected between April 16 and 18. Any changes beyond these dates have not yet been announced.

Dubai Waives Overstay Fines for Travelers Impacted by Rain

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