Visiting Dubai and hoping to stay a bit longer without the hassle of leaving and re-entering? Good news: for 2025, the rules around the 60-day visit visa have been updated, and one of the most significant changes is the option to extend or change status without exiting the country. In this post I’ll walk you through what this means, how it works, and what you should watch out for.
Why this matters
Previously, if you held a 30- or 60-day visit visa, staying longer or renewing your stay often meant travelling out of the UAE (for example to Oman or back to your home country) to “reset” the visa. That meant extra travel cost, time, and planning.
Now, under the 2025 rules, you can in many cases extend or change your visa from within Dubai (or the UAE) — meaning you don’t have to leave just to stay legally longer.
For travellers, families visiting, or business people who want flexibility — this is a big advantage.
What is the “60 day visit visa” option?
Under the updated visa structure:
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The UAE now offers 30-day, 60-day and even 90-day visit or tourist visas (depending on category) instead of only 30-day stays.
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Specifically: For a 60‐day visit visa, typically the validity is “60 days from date of issue” and stay up to 60 days from first entry.
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What makes this interesting: you can stay up to two months without necessarily having to leave the UAE after the first entry — granted you comply with conditions and, if required, extend.
The “without exit” rule: what changed
a) No mandatory exit needed to extend/change visa
According to several sources, one of the key updates is that visitors holding eligible visit visas (including 60-day visitor visas) can apply for an extension or change status from within the UAE rather than needing to exit.
For example, the travel agency Seaman Tours mentions that “tourist/visit visa holders can extend visa for another 60 days without exiting the country.”
b) Limits and conditions
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One article states that 60‐day visas can be extended up to 2 times (i.e., two extensions) from within the UAE.
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The total stay combining original plus extensions within a calendar year may have a cap — some sources suggest up to 180 days max stay in a year.
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The “10-day grace period” for overstaying has been removed — meaning if the visa expires you must act (exit or extend) before expiry to avoid fines.
How to apply or extend without exit — step by step
Here’s a general guide to the process (always check latest with the official authority or agent).
Step 1: Check your visa type & expiry
Make sure you have a valid visit/tourist visa (60-day option) and note the expiry date. It’s important to apply before expiry.
Step 2: Gather required documents
Commonly required documents: valid passport copy (valid for at least 6 months), current visa copy, passport photo, accommodation proof or host details, sometimes bank statement/proof of funds.
Step 3: Submit extension/change application in-country
You can go through the authorised travel agency or the relevant immigration body (e.g., General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA) or the federal Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security (ICP) smart-services portal.
Step 4: Pay the fees
Fees vary depending on visa type, nationality, extension length. Some typical figures: a standard extension might cost around AED 600 + VAT for a 30-day extension.
Step 5: Wait for approval & stay legal
Once approved, your stay is legal for the extended period without needing to exit the country. Make sure passport and visa status update accordingly.
Step 6: Avoid overstay
Don’t let your visa expire without action. Overstaying leads to fines, potential deportation, and reentry bans.
What to watch out for — conditions & risks
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Nationality and visa category matters: Rules and fees may differ for nationals of different countries, or whether you entered on “on-arrival” vs “pre-approved”. Some extension offers may apply only to specific nationalities.
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Maximum stay cap: Even though you may extend, your total stay in a calendar year may be capped (e.g., 180 days) so you can’t keep extending indefinitely.
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No re-entry guarantee: Some 60-day visas are single-entry; if you exit the UAE you may need a new visa to re-enter. If you plan frequent in/out travel, check multiple‐entry option.
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Overstay penalties: As mentioned, there’s no longer a 10-day buffer. Overstays can cost AED 50 per day (or more) and cause immigration issues.
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Changing purpose of stay may require different visa: If you entered as a tourist but want to stay for work or study, you may need a different visa or sponsorship. Extending a visit visa doesn’t automatically mean you can work.
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Validity of passport: Your passport should be valid for at least six months from entry or from the date of visa application.
Who benefits most from this “without exit” option?
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Tourists or long-stay visitors: Someone who wants to stay in Dubai or the UAE for 60 days and maybe a little longer without the trip back home.
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Families visiting resident relatives: If you’re visiting a friend or family member in the UAE and want a longer stay than the usual 30 days.
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Business visitors or consultants: Professionals who come for meetings, projects, or visits and may need more than one trip or longer stay without multiple entries/exits.
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Remote travellers / digital nomads: Those who want to be based in Dubai for 1-2 months while working remotely (note: working remotely may have separate regulations).
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People changing from resident/work status to tourist: For instance, someone whose employment visa ended but still wants to stay legally in UAE on a tourist basis. Many “inside‐country visa change” services cater to this.
Practical tips to make it smooth
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Start early: Apply for extension at least a week (or more) before your current visa expires to avoid last-minute issues.
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Use approved agencies or official portals: Stay with recognised travel-visa agents or apply via GDRFA/ICP to ensure legitimacy.
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Keep documentation updated: Bank statements, accommodation proof, passport validity — always check your record is up to date.
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Budget for fees + possible agent service charge: Even though you’re not exiting, you’ll still incur extension/change fees and possibly agency service charges.
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Monitor your stay duration: If you stay beyond the max allowable (including extensions), it may affect your ability to apply for future visas.
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Clarify multiple-entry status: If you plan to leave the UAE and come back during your stay, confirm your visa is multiple‐entry or you may need to re‐apply.
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Check for special nationals/eligibility rules: Some nationalities may have additional requirements or different costs.
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Keep proof of legal status on you: Especially the updated visa status/extension — in case you are asked by immigration or other authorities.
Example scenario
Let’s say you’re a tourist who enters Dubai on a 60-day single-entry visit visa. After 45 days you decide you’d like to stay another 30 days without going back home. Under the new rule:
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You apply via an agency or directly through the immigration portal while still in the UAE.
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You submit required docs: passport copy (valid), your current visa copy, passport photo, hotel booking or host details, bank statement.
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You pay the extension fee.
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You receive approval; your stay is extended for 30 more days, total now 90 days (60 + 30).
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You remain in Dubai/living in the UAE without exit. At the end of that period you either leave or check eligibility for another extension (if allowed).
If you had exited before applying you’d incur time, cost and disruption — so this “without exit” option really simplifies things.
FAQs
Q: Is the 60-day visit visa always extendable from within the UAE?
A: Not necessarily always; it depends on your nationality, visa category and whether you meet extension criteria. Always confirm with the immigration authority or agent.
Q: How many times can I extend a 60-day visa without exit?
A: Some sources indicate up to 2 extensions for the 60-day visit visa when applying in-country.
Q: What happens if I overstay?
A: You may face fines (e.g., AED 50 per day or more), possible deportation and may be barred from re-entry for a period.
Q: Can I work with a 60-day visit visa?
A: Generally, a visit/tourist visa does not authorise employment in the UAE. If you plan to work you’ll need a work permit/residence visa.
Q: Can I exit and re-enter on the same 60-day visa?
A: It depends on whether the visa is single-entry or multiple-entry. If single entry, exiting may end the validity. Confirm with your issuing body.
Q: Are the fees the same for all nationalities?
A: No — fees vary depending on origin, visa type, extension length, agent charges etc. Always check current fee structure.
Final thoughts
The 2025 updates to the UAE/Dubai visit visa regime — especially the ability to extend or change a 60-day visit visa without exiting the country — give travellers much more flexibility. If you’re planning a stay of two months in Dubai (or longer) this rule can save you hassle, travel cost and stress.
But: compliance matters. You need to check your eligibility, apply properly, pay fees and stay within the allowed maximum stay. Ignoring the rules risks fines or future visa difficulties.
If you’re ready to plan for a longer stay — or already in Dubai on a 60-day visa and considering an extension — now is a good time to check with a reputable visa/immigration agent or the official bodies to make sure you’re covered under the latest rules.
Enjoy your stay in Dubai — make the most of those two months + if you extend, without the exit fuss.
