13 hours ago
'Thank you, UAE': Iranians express gratitude after overstay fines waived amid conflict
[Editor's Note: Follow the KT live blog for live updates on the Israel-Iran conflict.]
For Hanzala A., an Iranian visitor who arrived in Dubai a few months ago, the past week has been filled with anxiety and uncertainty. He had been trying to find a way to legally stay in the UAE after exhausting his visit visa extensions.
'I had decided to travel to Qatar or Oman as my visa was expiring and I couldn't extend my visa any further,' said Hanzala. 'But yesterday's (Tuesday, June 17) announcement brought a huge sigh of relief. Now I'm just waiting for the airspace to reopen so I can return home.'
He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the country's leadership. 'Thank you to the leadership of the UAE for doing this. If you look back, the UAE has always supported not only its citizens but also expats and even visitors. We all remember during Covid, how this country helped everyone regardless of nationality. This is one more example of that kindness.'
The UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) announced on Tuesday that Iranians will be exempt from overstay fines, whether they are residents or have entered on any type of visa. The decision, issued under the directives of President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is part of the country's response to the regional conflict that has caused widespread travel disruptions.
Iranian residents and visitors said the gesture has brought them hope at a time when many feel stuck.
'I can't thank the UAE enough,' said Reza M., an Iranian expat based in Dubai. 'I was supposed to fly back to Tehran last week, but my flight got cancelled. My visa had just expired, and I had no idea what would happen next.
'This news has taken a big burden off my shoulders,' said Reza.
Nazanin, a teacher living in Sharjah whose parents had come to the UAE to visit her, said that she had been reaching out to all the possible contacts to extend the visa, but finally on Tuesday, 'I was completely relieved,' said Nazanin.
'This shows the compassion and humanity of the UAE leadership. Many of us were uncertain about what would happen, whether we would have to pay fines, leave suddenly, or be stranded. Now, we feel seen and supported immensely. 'Thank you, UAE,' said Naznin.
According to the ICP, the exemption is being granted 'in response to the exceptional circumstances that the region is witnessing and to provide relief to this group of people who were unable to return to their homeland due to the closure of airspace and the suspension of flights.'
Travel agencies in the UAE have also seen a sudden spike in calls from Iranian visitors looking for solutions.
Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism, said, 'Usually, if Iranians want to extend their stay, they either do it by applying for an in-country visa change or they take a short flight back to Iran and return once a new visa is issued. Since it's just a 30 to 60-minute flight, it's a convenient option for many.'
'But now, with airspace closures and flight suspensions, even that option is off the table. That's why this overstay fine waiver has brought huge relief. Many people were unsure of what to do next,' Subair added.
