Authorities in Dubai have started piloting a system that requires residents to settle any outstanding traffic fines before completing their visa issuance or renewal procedures, Khaleej Times reported.
The move is part of a broader push to encourage compliance with traffic regulations and ensure that overdue fines are paid, according to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
Lt Gen Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA in Dubai, clarified that the initiative is not meant to block people from renewing their visas, but rather to serve as a reminder to settle their dues. “The goal is not to restrict people,” he said. “It’s about reminding residents to pay their fines. The system allows for flexibility depending on each case.”
Residents can opt to pay the fines either in full or through installment plans. The pilot system is currently being implemented at select locations and has not yet been enforced at GDRFA counters in Dubai airports.
Officials noted that thousands of cases were reviewed before launching the initiative to ensure the process remains accessible and manageable. Staff are available to assist residents with the payment steps during their visa transactions.
This is not the first time such a linkage has been explored. In 2014, the Ministry of the Interior had announced that residents with unpaid traffic fines would not be able to renew their visas, though the idea was not widely enforced at the time.
