Amid rising tensions and violence in the Middle East, thousands of travelers have found themselves stranded in different countries due to flight cancellations and airspace closures.
In this situation, the government of the United Arab Emirates has announced a major relief for affected passengers.
Authorities have decided that travelers whose visas have expired but cannot leave the country because of suspended flights will not have to pay overstay fines.
UAE Waives Visa Overstay Fines
The decision was announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP).
According to the authority, the fine exemption applies to travelers who were charged visa overstay penalties from February 28, 2026 onwards.
This includes people who arrived on tourist visas, visit visas, exit permits, as well as residents who had already canceled their residency but could not depart due to flight disruptions.
Normally, staying beyond the visa validity in the UAE results in a fine of 50 dirhams per day.
However, considering the current travel disruptions, the government has decided to completely waive these fines to ease the financial burden on travelers.
Thousands of Passengers Already Assisted
Officials said the decision has already helped thousands of stranded travelers.
According to the ICP, travel procedures have been completed for 30,913 passengers at major airports across the UAE. These include:
Zayed International Airport
Dubai International Airport
Sharjah International Airport
Ras Al Khaimah International Airport
Fujairah International Airport
In addition, 15,327 passengers have been issued temporary entry visas, allowing them to legally stay in the UAE until flights become available again.
Flights Slowly Returning to Normal
To help travelers return home, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has started special flight operations.
Some commercial flights are now operating from airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, allowing stranded passengers to gradually reach their destinations.
Officials also said that secure air corridors have been established with countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which is helping air traffic resume slowly.
Support for Stranded Travelers
Apart from travel assistance, the UAE government has also arranged accommodation, transportation, and other essential services for passengers affected by flight disruptions.
Special teams have been deployed at airports and customer service centers to assist people whose flights were canceled or rescheduled.
Authorities have advised travelers to keep checking official announcements and airline updates to stay informed about the latest flight schedules and travel arrangements.
