Rush hour in Dubai. Linking fine payment to visa renewal will make motorists pay extra attention to their driving, said officials. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Rush hour in Dubai. Linking fine payment to visa renewal will make motorists pay extra attention to their driving, said officials. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Rush hour in Dubai. Linking fine payment to visa renewal will make motorists pay extra attention to their driving, said officials. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Rush hour in Dubai. Linking fine payment to visa renewal will make motorists pay extra attention to their driving, said officials. Chris Whiteoak / The National

News

UAE

Dubai links traffic fine payments to visa renewal

Motorists must settle all road penalties before they can renew, cancel or change their visa

Ali Al Shouk
Ali Al Shouk

July 23, 2025

  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai has implemented a system that links traffic fine payments to immigration services − including renewals, cancellations and changing status.

People with traffic fines under their names will need to settle the payment before applying for immigration services.

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai said motorists have to settle the outstanding traffic fines, whether recorded on their driver’s licence or vehicle plate, before they can renew or cancel their visas.

“This measure is intended to ensure that everyone fulfils their financial obligation to the country,” said Lt Gen Mohammed Al Marri, director general of the GDRFA, said on Wednesday.

The centralised online system links immigration services with Dubai Police, allowing real-time information sharing about traffic fines.

How it works

The new system means that when an individual attempts to finalise an immigration-related transaction, the system checks for any outstanding traffic fines.

For example, if a person wants to cancel or renew their residency then the immigration system will not accept the transaction if there are any unsettled traffic fines.

People who want to change their residency status to a new employer will also need to pay any outstanding traffic fines.

“We are in the first phase of the system,” said Lt Gen Al Marri.

How to pay

Motorists with outstanding fines can pay by a zero-interest instalment plan through Dubai Police online services, in co-ordination with their banks.

This can be accessed through the Dubai Police app and website and smart police stations.

The interest-free instalment plan is only available for traffic fines of more than Dh3,000 ($817) and can be for a period of three, six or 12 months if payments are made by credit card. A direct debit card instalment plan is available for up to 24 months.

“Everybody should respect and follow the laws in the country. We will support the people by asking them to make an instalment plan for traffic fines,” Lt Gen Al Marri added.

“It’ll create a change in behaviour as motorists will try to pay extra attention to their driving.”

People cancelling their residential permits and leaving the country have to prove they have no liabilities at the traffic department if they have vehicles registered in their names.

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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