How to cancel your residence visa in the UAE

• Basic Information
• Process
• FAQs

A UAE residence visa grants an individual the legal right to live, work, invest and access many government services and financial facilities in the country. However, it must be cancelled officially if you plan to leave the country permanently. Here is everything you need to know about the UAE visa cancellation process.

BASIC INFORMATION ON THE UAE VISA CANCELLATION PROCEDURE

WHO CAN CANCEL YOUR RESIDENCE VISA IN THE UAE?

The individual/organisation who has sponsored you can cancel your residence visa. If you hold a UAE property investor visa or any other type of investor visa, you can initiate the process on your own. 

HOW CAN A COMPANY APPLY FOR THE UAE RESIDENCE VISA CANCELLATION?

If your sponsor is a company, they must first apply for the cancellation of your labour card and contract at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). Your signature is mandatory on this application. Once they get a response from MOHRE, they can apply for visa cancellation via the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP).

Your company must cancel your work permit as well. However, this can’t be done without a letter signed by you stating that you have received your dues, gratuity, repatriation expenses and other benefits that you and your company agreed upon.

PROCESS TO CANCEL RESIDENCE VISA IN THE UAE

VIA GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF RESIDENCY AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS (GDRFA) DUBAI

Once your company has applied for the cancellation of these documents, you will soon receive a clearance statement that will help you generate a visa cancellation request at GDRFA (The General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs).

If you have dependants under your residence visa, you should cancel their visas to proceed with your visa cancellation procedure in the UAE. There are two ways to do this: Visiting a typing centre or processing it online through the GDRFA official website.

ONLINE

• Head over to the GDRFA portal.
• Click on Services >> Residency Services >> Cancellation of residence visa >> Cancellation of all types of residence permits.
• On this page, click the red Start Service button on the left.
• Log into your UAE Pass account or create a new account (if you don’t have one). To create a UAE Pass account, you must download the UAE Pass app and scan your face.
• Fill out the application form with your passport details, visa numbers and nationality.
• Attach the required documentation, such as a copy of your residency visa (Emirates ID if it was not stamped).
• Pay the service fees.
• Submit your application.

REGISTERED TYPING CENTRES

• Head to the nearest Amer typing centre (Open from 08:00 am – 08:00 pm).
• They will assist you in filling out the corresponding form and submitting your documents.
• Pay the fee and submit your application.

FEES

• Service fee: AED 100
• Innovation fee: AED 10
• Knowledge Dirham: AED10
• Printing fee: AED 100 (Upon submitting via ZAJEL Courier Centre)

VISA CANCELLATION VIA FEDERAL AUTHORITY FOR IDENTITY, CITIZENSHIP, CUSTOMS & PORT SECURITY (ICP)

UAE sponsors can initiate a visa cancellation request via ICP. Here are the common methods.

ONLINE

Head to the ICP’s website – click Services for Individuals, and select Cancel Residency Permit.

• Click on ‘Start Service’
• You will be redirected to the Smart Services portal of ICP. This is where you click on Public Visa Services.
• Select ‘ Cancellation of Current Visa ‘ from the four menus on this page.
• Fill in your passport’s details, date of birth and nationality.

• Submit the requested documents
  • A residency permit
  • A trade licence (Partner or investor)
  • Death certificate within the country (in case of death)

• You will be prompted to the payment page. This costs AED 100; you can pay with your credit or debit card.
• Once this is done, hit submit.

REGISTERED TYPING CENTRES

• Head to the nearest ICP typing centre
• Fill out the form
• Submit the documents
• Pay the fee
• Submit your request
• Wait for approval

FEES

• Order fee: AED 50
• E-services fee: AED 10

In addition to these two methods, you can cancel your visa through the ICP’s app, which is available for Apple and Android users.

The UAE visa cancellation process takes around 48 hours. However, there may be exceptions depending on public holidays or employer terms.

The validity of the visa depends upon its type and sponsor. If you hold a residence visa, refer to the Dubai visa status check by passport number to confirm its validity.

If you have a UAE residence visa and have been outside the country for more than six months, your visa will be cancelled. In this case, you cannot enter the country with your residence visa and will have to either get a visit visa or visa-on-arrival, depending on your nationality and country of residence.

However, if you’re employed by a company in the UAE and leave without resigning and following procedures, you risk being reported as an absconding person. This can lead to a travel ban, meaning you will be unable to enter the UAE and risk being arrested upon entry.

You must also pay off any loans, bills and other liabilities before leaving, as not doing these can risk legal consequences. We recommend following this procedure and collecting your visa cancellation proof (a stamp or paper) before leaving the UAE.

FAQs about the UAE visa cancellation process

WHAT IS THE UAE VISA CANCELLATION GRACE PERIOD?

The grace period to leave the UAE after the cancellation of the residency visa is between 60 and 180 days, depending upon the visa category.

Here is a complete breakdown of the grace period:

180 DAYS

• Golden Visa/Green Visa holders and their family members
• Widows/Divorcees
• Students (who have finished their studies)
• Skilled professionals (first/ second level as per MOHRE classification)

90 DAYS

• Skilled professionals (third level as per MOHRE classification)
• Property visa holders

60 DAYS

• Normal residencies

30 DAYS

• Other categories (visa-on-arrival holders and Prepaid visit visa.)

Staying in Dubai after the grace period ends will accrue a fine of AED 50 per day.

WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY EMIRATES ID WHEN THE RESIDENCE IS CANCELLED?

Previously, one could keep their Emirates ID even after cancelling UAE Residence. However, you will be asked to submit your Emirates ID to the GDRFA after cancelling your UAE Residence now. You must also submit your Emirates ID if switching jobs and changing your sponsor.

Note that after cancelling your UAE residence visa, your employer will be covering your medical insurance for the duration of the grace period. Since medical insurance is mandatory for living in the UAE, this will usually be active throughout your grace period.

CAN I RENEW MY UAE TOURIST VISA?

Yes, you can, given that you follow all the protocols for a Dubai tourist visa extension.

CAN I CANCEL MY UAE RESIDENCE VISA IF I’M OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY?

If you’re on an employment visa, contact your employers and request they cancel it. Talk to them about any liabilities or penalties, if applicable, make sure they cancel your residence. If your employer refuses to cancel your residence visa, contact the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) to resolve the issue.

Please note that if you work for a freezone company in the UAE, both employer and employee must meet at the company’s headquarters to terminate the contract. For this, you should carry your passport and Emirates ID and get your UAE residence cancelled.

If you want to cancel a family member’s visa (dependent visa), you can easily do so without needing them in the country. All you need is a copy of the passport, Emirates ID, and the application typed out. You can do this from one of the typing centres in Dubai, and it will cost you AED 266, along with additional typing charges.

DO I HAVE TO EXIT THE UAE TO EXTEND MY STAY AFTER THE GRACE PERIOD?

After your UAE residence visa has been cancelled, you do not have to leave the country to extend your stay. You can apply for a tourist visa while in the country and pay the required charges (depending on the days you intend to stay).

That brings an end to our guide on the UAE visa cancellation process. Make sure to learn the latest guidelines for residency visas in the UAE before making any final decision. If you have any questions regarding your UAE residence visa cancellation, contact the General Directory of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) at 600-522-222.

If you are applying for a residence visa, you will have to take a DHA medical fitness exam. Here is how you can go for a Dubai medical report check online.

Want to get a UAE tourist visa? Learn about a 5-year tourist visa in the UAE and see whether you want to apply.

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