UAE Exit Permit: How to Leave After Overstaying?
A UAE exit permit, or out-pass, is a document from ICP or GDRFA that lets you leave the country legally when your visa has expired or been cancelled. If you have overstayed by more than 30 days, you need one, you cannot just pay at the airport. The fee is around AED 200 to 320, and all overstay fines must be cleared first.
- Settle your overstay fine first, it is required.
- Apply for the exit permit via ICP or GDRFA.
- Book your flight within the 7 to 10 day validity.
What is an exit permit, and when you need one?
An exit permit, also called an out-pass, is an official departure document issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). It lets you leave the UAE legally when you no longer hold a valid visa: typically when your visa has expired, your residency has been cancelled, or your passport has been lost.
The key threshold is a long overstay. If you have overstayed by more than 30 days, you cannot simply turn up at the airport, pay the fine at the counter, and board, the immigration system will flag your passport. In that situation the exit permit is the document that clears you to travel. For shorter overstays, settling the fine is often enough, which our UAE overstay fine guide explains.
How to apply: documents and where?
You apply through ICP or, for Dubai, GDRFA, online through their portals, or in person at an ICP centre, an Amer service centre, or the Al Awir immigration centre in Dubai. Have these ready:
- Your original passport, or a travel document if the passport is lost.
- A copy of your cancelled or expired visa.
- A confirmed flight ticket.
- Two passport-size photos.
Apply at least 48 hours before you intend to fly. That gives the ICP and GDRFA systems time to process the permit and clear the flag from your record, so you are not turned back at the airport. Check the exact amount you owe with an overstay fine check before you start.
Fees, processing time and validity
The exit permit has its own fee, which is separate from your overstay fine. As a guide for 2026:
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Government fee | AED 200 (about AED 241 in Dubai with knowledge and innovation fees) |
| Admin / processing fee | AED 200 to 500, charged once regardless of how long you overstayed |
| Overstay fines | AED 50 a day, paid separately and before the permit is issued |
| Processing time | Up to 48 hours |
| Validity | 7 to 10 days, you must leave within this window |
The permit states its validity, and it is short, so only apply once your travel plans are firm. If you leave it too late and the permit lapses, you have to apply and pay again.
Clear your fines first: the ban risk
This is the part to take seriously. The exit permit will not be issued until your overstay fines are settled, and trying to leave without paying has a lasting cost. GDRFA Dubai applies an eye (IRIS) biometric scan in these cases and issues the departure permit with what it calls permanent deprivation, in other words, an immigration ban is placed on your file. That ban can stop you getting a future UAE visa or re-entering the country at all.
So paying the fine is not just about money; it protects your ability to come back. If the fine is large because of a genuinely exceptional situation, check first whether you qualify for an overstay fine waiver before you pay. The full set of visa and exit options is in our UAE visa and immigration guide.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs a UAE exit permit?
Anyone trying to leave the UAE without a valid visa, usually because it expired or was cancelled, and especially anyone who has overstayed by more than 30 days. In those cases the airport cannot simply take a fine and let you fly, because your passport is flagged. The exit permit, issued by ICP or GDRFA, is what clears you to depart.
How much does a UAE exit permit cost?
The government fee is around AED 200, or about AED 241 in Dubai with additional fees, plus a one-off administrative charge of roughly AED 200 to 500. In total most people pay between AED 220 and AED 320 in 2026, on top of their overstay fines, which are settled separately at AED 50 a day.
How long is an exit permit valid?
An exit permit is valid for about 7 to 10 days from issuance, and you must leave the UAE within that window. Because it is short and takes up to 48 hours to process, apply only when your flight is booked. If it expires before you travel, you will need to apply and pay for a new one.
Can I leave the UAE without paying my overstay fine?
Not without consequences. The exit permit is not issued until fines are paid, and GDRFA can let you leave with an unpaid record only by placing a permanent immigration ban on your file after an IRIS scan. That ban can block future visas and re-entry, so paying the fine before you go is almost always the better choice.
Last verified: July 2026
Written by Roman Shah ยท Reviewed by the UAEexplained editorial team
Source: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP); GDRFA
