TL;DR:

Visa runs are a legitimate and convenient way to extend your UAE stay. By exiting to Oman or nearby countries and re-entering, you get a fresh visa stamp, allowing for a continued stay. Multiple service providers operate daily, offering both border and airport-based options. Ensure you’re eligible, have all required documents, and plan ahead to avoid penalties.In the UAE, overstaying your visa comes with clear consequences , and a daily price tag. Once your visa expires, and you’re beyond any grace period, you’re subject to a fine of AED 50 (~USD 13.60) per day. In addition, you’ll need to pay an exit permit fee of AED 250–350 (~USD 68–95) when you leave. These penalties apply across the board, whether you’re on a visit visa, a tourist visa, or a residency visa. To avoid those penalties and remain in the country legally, many visitors turn to a well-established and structured option: the visa run.

What exactly is a visa run?

A visa run is the process of strategically leaving the UAE temporarily and re-entering, typically on the same day, in order to reset your visa status and legally extend your stay. It’s most commonly used by those who entered on a 30- or 90-day tourist or visit visa and need more time without switching to a long-term visa.

Visa runs are a widely practiced and accepted method used by tourists, job seekers, and remote workers to legally extend their stay in the UAE without overstaying./ Image: Fast Visa Run

This method doesn’t violate any immigration rules. In fact, it operates entirely within the framework of UAE border control and is widely recognized as a legitimate solution for visitors and temporary residents needing more time in the country. Most visa runs are made to neighboring Oman, given its proximity and straightforward land border access from Dubai and other Emirates. Others may involve flying to nearby countries, depending on visa status, timing, or agency arrangements.

The journey to Hatta is a smooth, scenic drive, with travelers of many nationalities using it daily for quick and legal visa renewals./ Image: VisaRun.ae

The process is especially useful for:

For nationalities that receive a visa on arrival, this can be a remarkably smooth process, often involving just a short trip to the border, then re-entering the UAE on a renewed entry stamp.

Eligibility and the fine print

Visa runs are a smart solution, but not a free-for-all. They’re especially practical for travelers from countries that are eligible for 30-day visa on arrival in the UAE. These travelers can often exit and re-enter without any pre-approval, making the process both fast and relatively low-cost. Here’s a list of nationalities that currently benefit from the 30-day renewable visa on arrival and are eligible for UAE-Oman visa run services:

Additional eligible countries include Uzbekistan and Mongolia. If your country is on this list, you are eligible to enter the UAE multiple times with a new visa issued upon each arrival, provided your documents are in order.It’s worth noting that border visa runs are typically limited to three consecutive renewals. After reaching this limit, you may want to explore alternatives like the airport-to-airport (A2A) visa switch or returning to your home country to renew or apply for a new visa. Some agencies also offer visa change flights to nearby destinations like Bahrain or Kuwait. Always remember, immigration officials have discretion and may deny entry if they suspect the system is being misused or if your stay doesn’t appear genuine.

The UAE–Oman border is by far the most popular and practical route for visa runs, especially for travelers holding 30-day visa-on-arrival eligibility. Located about 140 km from Downtown Dubai, roughly a 1 hour 40 minute drive, this border crossing offers a convenient way to extend your stay legally without overstaying your visa. Multiple agencies run daily roundtrip services from Dubai to Oman, making it a dependable and widely used option for visa renewals.

VisaRun.ae is a widely used visa run service provider, offering daily trips to the Oman border with convenient pickup and drop-off from Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman locations/ Image: VisaRun.ae

Since August 2024, nationals from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand receive a 90-day visa on arrival, valid over a 180-day period. After using these 90 days, re-entry on arrival is not possible until the next cycle; a pre-approved visa would be required to enter the UAE.That’s where visa runs or visa changes come in. Visa run services offer early morning (around 7 AM) bus trips to Oman (via Hatta or Al Ain–Buraimi), handling all visa paperwork. The package typically includes an express 60-day visa, return transport to Oman, and hotel accommodation during visa processing. You can relax while your visa is approved and return to the UAE by late afternoon (around 5 PM) with your fresh visa, all within the same day.

(The cost breakdown and service details, including eligibility, are based on information from the VisaRun.ae website. Rates and policies may vary across different service providers.)

If you’re applying for your Omani entry visa yourself instead of going through an agency, you can do this easily through the Royal Oman Police (ROP) website. Select the unsponsored 26A visa, a 10-day tourist visa, upload a scanned passport and photo, and pay the 5 Omani Rial (~AED 48) fee. Processing time ranges from a couple of hours to up to three days. Once approved, print your e-visa and carry a hard copy with you on the trip.In addition to the service fee, budget for:

This method is one of the most cost-effective and time-saving visa renewal strategies, provided you’re from an eligible nationality and have all documentation in place. It’s widely used by tourists, freelancers, job seekers, and anyone in transition to residency.

2. Airport-to-Airport (A2A) visa switch

Another option, particularly when land runs are not ideal or permitted due to visa rules, is the airport-to-airport visa run. This involves flying out of the UAE, to Oman, Bahrain, or Kuwait, for example, and returning with a new visa arranged in advance. While this option may require an overnight stay, depending on visa processing times, it’s often used by travelers whose nationality doesn’t qualify for a visa on arrival.This method is especially common when border runs are no longer allowed due to visa count or policy updates.

What you’ll need: Documentation checklist

Whether you’re going by road or air, here are the essentials:

Though not mandatory, travel and health insurance covering both the UAE and Oman is highly recommended for any visa run.

Service providers: Who’s doing the legwork

Several agencies in the UAE have made visa runs hassle-free by offering full-service packages that include transportation, coordination, and support:

Both providers emphasize planning your visa run at least five days before your current visa expires, allowing ample time to avoid penalties or issues.

A structured solution, not a shortcut

Visa runs offer a clear, legal, and practical way to extend your stay in the UAE without breaking the rules. When done through proper channels, with the right documentation, timing, and understanding of your eligibility, they serve as a valuable bridge between short-term visits and more permanent arrangements.

Planning ahead with the right agency, confirming your eligibility, and preparing the correct documents is key to a smooth, stress-free visa run experience./ Image: VisaRun.ae

They’re not a workaround or a grey area. They are a recognized tool in the UAE’s flexible visa framework, especially for tourists, job seekers, freelancers, and families who need more time, and who want to do it the right way. Just remember:

And with that, you’ll find that staying longer in the UAE can be as straightforward as a bus ride to the border, and back again.Q. Are visa runs legal in the UAE?Yes, visa runs are legal and operate within UAE’s border control system, as long as you follow the rules and have the correct documentation.Q. How much does a visa run cost?The cost starts at AED 440 (~USD 120) for a border visa run and AED 1250 (~USD 340) for a 60-day visa extension with hotel accommodation.Q. What documents are required for a visa run?You’ll need a valid passport, passport copy, current UAE entry stamp, photo, and potentially car documents or a guarantor, depending on your situation.Q. How long does a visa run take?Border visa runs typically take one day, leave early morning and return by late afternoon. Airport-based runs may take 1–2 days.Q. Can I do a visa run multiple times?Border visa runs are generally limited to three consecutive times. After that, you’ll need to explore alternatives like an airport-to-airport visa switch.Q. Do I need to apply for a new visa before the run?If you’re using the border visa run option, no pre-approval is needed for most nationalities. For other visa options, you may need to pre-arrange the visa.Q. What happens if I overstay my UAE visa?You’ll be fined AED 50 (~USD 13.60) per day plus an exit fee of AED 250–350 (~USD 68–95) when leaving the UAE.