Dubai residents must clear traffic fines to renew or cancel residency visa

In a move aimed at enhancing traffic compliance and ensuring the settlement of financial dues, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai (GDRFA) announced that it started activating the electronic link between residency procedures and traffic fines.

Residents are required to pay all outstanding fines before completing any transaction related to renewal, cancellation or transfer of their residency permits, it added.

This measure is part of a pilot phase, currently covering applicants seeking to renew, cancel, or transfer their residency permits. No applications for residency renewal, legal status modification, or cancellation within the country will be accepted without ensuring that the applicant’s traffic fines have been settled, the GDRFA said.

The link aims to enhance integration among government entities and encourage individuals to abide by the laws and regulations in force, particularly those related to traffic safety, it added.

“The UAE has become a global model for balanced governance and humane leadership, and we are proud to live in a society that respects the law and upholds the values of discipline and coexistence. Therefore, it is our collective duty to complement each other in maintaining compliance with the laws and be partners in building a safe, happy and sustainable society,” said Lieutenant General Mohammed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA.

“This step embodies the state’s commitment to instilling a culture of respect for law and order, which is a fundamental foundation for a safe and stable life. We live in a country that values people and places their safety and comfort at the forefront of its priorities. Hence the importance of abiding by traffic laws and other applicable regulations,” he added.

He explained that the decision to link residency transactions to the payment of fines is not intended to impose restrictions, but rather is a civilized measure that firmly establishes the principles of transparency and accountability and motivates everyone to shoulder their responsibilities as individuals within this society.

Al Marri pointed out that this initiative aims at encouraging residents to pay outstanding fines without these measures hindering residency transactions and to urge individuals to pay their dues, whether in full or in installments, before completing their transactions.