Dubai: Dubai has begun trialling a new system that ties the payment of traffic fines to the issuance and renewal of residency visas. Under this pilot programme, residents must clear any outstanding traffic fines before completing their visa procedures.

The initiative is being led by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in collaboration with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). According to Lt Gen Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the GDRFA, the move is intended to promote responsible behaviour and ensure that residents stay compliant with traffic regulations.

“The goal is not to restrict people,” Al Marri clarified. “It’s about reminding residents to pay their fines. The system allows for flexibility depending on each case.”

Rather than blocking visa renewals outright, the system prompts residents to settle their dues—either in full or through instalment plans—before proceeding with their visa applications. Officials have emphasised that the system has been designed to be user-friendly and non-disruptive.

Residents visiting visa service centres will receive assistance in completing payments, and many will have the option to pay in instalments based on their financial situation.

Currently, the system is still in the pilot stage and has not been implemented across all service centres. Notably, it does not yet apply at the GDRFA branch located at Dubai Airport.

Authorities say the decision to launch the pilot came after reviewing thousands of individual cases. They also noted that this isn’t the first time such a link between fines and government services has been considered. In 2014, the Ministry of the Interior had announced a similar policy, where visas of individuals with unpaid traffic fines would not be renewed.

As the pilot progresses, officials will continue to monitor and refine the system to ensure smooth implementation and improved compliance across the emirate.

Dubai Pilots System Linking Visa Renewal to Traffic Fine Payments

Dubai has begun trialling a new system that ties the payment of traffic fines to the issuance and renewal of residency visas. Under this pilot programme, residents must clear any outstanding traffic fines before completing their visa procedures.

The initiative is being led by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in collaboration with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). According to Lt Gen Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the GDRFA, the move is intended to promote responsible behaviour and ensure that residents stay compliant with traffic regulations.

“The goal is not to restrict people,” Al Marri clarified. “It’s about reminding residents to pay their fines. The system allows for flexibility depending on each case.”

Rather than blocking visa renewals outright, the system prompts residents to settle their dues—either in full or through instalment plans—before proceeding with their visa applications. Officials have emphasised that the system has been designed to be user-friendly and non-disruptive.

Residents visiting visa service centres will receive assistance in completing payments, and many will have the option to pay in instalments based on their financial situation.

Currently, the system is still in the pilot stage and has not been implemented across all service centres. Notably, it does not yet apply at the GDRFA branch located at Dubai Airport.

Authorities say the decision to launch the pilot came after reviewing thousands of individual cases. They also noted that this isn’t the first time such a link between fines and government services has been considered. In 2014, the Ministry of the Interior had announced a similar policy, where visas of individuals with unpaid traffic fines would not be renewed.

As the pilot progresses, officials will continue to monitor and refine the system to ensure smooth implementation and improved compliance across the emirate.

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