Visa validity indicates the time period between when your visa is issued and when it will expire. In simpler terms, it indicates when your visa will start working and when it will stop working. Visa validity does not indicate how long you can stay in the country and must not be confused with length of stay.
Visa validity differs depending on the type of visa you apply for and the destination you are travelling to. You can find the validity on your visa document. It will indicate the period during which you can enter the country.
Example of visa validity:
A 30-day Dubai tourist visa is valid for 60 days and allows a stay of up to 30 days. The validity period starts on the day the visa is issued, and your visa will expire after 60 days.
Once your visa has been issued, you have 60 days to enter Dubai. However, upon entering Dubai, you can only stay for 30 days (length of stay).
Visa types and visa validity relevance:
Tourist visas: Often have a set validity period within which you can enter the country, sometimes multiple times.
Work visas: Validity corresponds with the duration of a work contract but does not exceed the maximum stay allowed by the issuing country.
Student visas: Typically valid for the duration of the academic program plus a short grace period.
What happens if I stay beyond my visa's validity?
Staying beyond your visa's validity can lead to fines, deportation, and future travel bans to the issuing country.
Can I extend my visa's validity?
Some countries allow visa extensions under certain conditions, often requiring an application before the current visa expires.
Does visa validity affect my eligibility for visa renewals or future applications?
Compliance with previous visa validity periods can positively impact future visa applications.
What is the difference between validity and length of stay?
Visa validity and length of stay have different meanings:
Visa validity indicates the period during which you must use your visa.
Length of stay indicates the total time you can stay in the country.
