UAE Visa Cancellation Guide

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a popular destination for tourists, professionals, and expatriates. However, there may come a time when you need to cancel your UAE visa, whether it be for personal reasons or due to changing circumstances. This comprehensive guide will outline the process and requirements for cancelling your tourist visa, UAE residency visa, work visas and family visas, as well as provide essential information on costs and timelines.

The cancellation process may vary depending on the type of visa, but here are the general steps and rules.

As a general rule, a visa in the UAE is cancelled by the sponsor. In the context of a residence visa, “sponsorship” means providing a guarantee for your legal stay in the country. This guarantee can be provided by an immigration authority (tourist visa), a UAE company (work visa), a business licence (investor or freelancer visa), or be self-sponsored through investments (Golden Visa), among others.

The first essential step is to determine who is responsible for the cancellation process. Depending on your visa type, the application may be submitted by the sponsor or initiated by you directly.

• Leaving the UAE permanently
• Changing employer (switching work visas)
• Closing a business or freelance license tied to the visa
• Changing residency status (e.g., dependent to work visa)

1. Determine whether you need to initiate the process yourself or through your sponsor. If it goes through a sponsor, prepare and provide the required documents to them, then wait for the visa to be cancelled. In case of a 2-year employment visa, the employer initiates the cancellation process directly with MOHRE. If you are handling the process independently, gather the necessary documents (see list below) and submit your application to the relevant authority.
2. Complete the visa cancellation form and double-check the information.
3. Submit the completed form and supporting documents to the relevant authority. Note that visas must always be cancelled at the same location where they were initially issued.
4. Pay the visa cancellation fees.
5. Wait for the Visa Cancellation Paper sent to your email, which is typically issued within a few days. After receiving it, you have 30 days to either change your visa or depart the country. In some cases this period can be extended up to 60 days.

Cancelling your visa independently

• If your visa was issued in any emirate except Dubai, submit your application through the ICA Smart Services portal.
• If your visa was issued in Dubai, apply through the GDRFA website.
• If you prefer in-person assistance with filling out forms, paying fees, and receiving an instant receipt, visit a typing center in person — Amer centers in Dubai or ICP-authorized centers in other emirates.

Cancelling your visa through a sponsor

• For employment visas, the employer initiates the cancellation process through MOHRE.
• For investor or freelancer visas, the free zone authority submits the cancellation request to immigration.
• For family visas, the sponsor must first cancel all dependents’ visas before closing their own.

The required documents for visa cancellation may vary depending on the type of visa and your specific situation. Generally, the following documents are required:

1. Completed visa cancellation application form
2. Original Emirates ID
3. Original passport and a copy
4. Original visa or a copy
5. Sponsor's passport copy (for dependent family members)

In most cases, you simply let a tourist visa expire or use it to enter the UAE, so formal cancellation isn’t needed.

If you plan to apply for a different visa type (e.g., work or residence) while inside the UAE, you can request a status change through immigration — this effectively “closes” your tourist visa without exiting.

If you need to stay longer and extend the tourist visa, you have to do it while your visa is valid. Overstaying immediately triggers fines (AED 50 per day + a service fee).

If you can’t exit on time, you can approach an Amer center (Dubai) or ICP typing center (other emirates) for an overstay settlement and exit permit.

If you hold a UAE work permit and work visa and wish to cancel it, the process involves coordination between you, your employer, and the MOHRE. It is the employer who initiates and organizes the UAE visa cancellation process, not you. The employer also pays the government fee for the cancellation. The steps they will take are as follows:

1. Your employer should initiate the cancellation process, submitting a visa cancellation form to the MOHRE.
2. The MOHRE will issue a clearance letter confirming the cancellation and forward the information to GDRFA.
3. The GDRFA cancels your residency visa and then the Ministry closes your work permit.

Note: The employer must settle final dues with the employee (salary, gratuity, benefits) before starting a visa cancellation procedure.

Cancelling if you are changing jobs

If you are changing jobs within the UAE, your current employer must cancel your work permit. After that, you need to cancel your current work visa and apply for a new visa under your new job contract. It is essential to coordinate with both your current and future employers to ensure a smooth transition and avoid any legal issues.

Remember that you have 30 days for obtaining a new visa. Otherwise, there may be fines.

Note: If you have dependent family members (spouse, children, or elderly parents) under your sponsorship, their visas must be cancelled before you cancel your visa.

The sponsor must initiate the cancellation process for each dependent family member's visa. The process is similar to the general visa cancellation steps outlined earlier in this guide. Refer to a typing center in the emirate where you stay or Amer in Dubai.

If you want to change jobs within the same emirate there is no need to cancel the dependants’ visas. You can visit the immigration to put their visas on hold, so that when your new visa is processed, the hold can be released. A visa hold costs 5000 AED for a family. 

The immigration gives you 60 days to complete your visa process for the hold to be released.

If you have been outside the UAE for more than six months, your residence visa becomes invalid, and you will no longer be able to enter the country with it. In this case, you or your sponsor must arrange visa cancellation from abroad, then enter the UAE on a tourist visa before applying for a new residence visa. Cancel your visas on time to avoid fines!

Potential risks and legal consequences

• Legal risks: Leaving the UAE without properly resigning, completing job-related formalities, or canceling your visa could lead to your employer reporting you as absconding.
• Potential consequences: Being flagged as absconding may result in legal actions, fines, or restrictions on re-entry to the UAE.

However, there is an option to re-enter the UAE if you have been outside the country for longer than the allowed period. If you have a valid reason for your absence, you may apply for re-entry, but the immigration authority will make the final decision.

The cost of cancelling a UAE visa can vary depending on the type of visa, the emirate where it was issued, and any additional circumstances.

Typically, the visa cancellation fee in Dubai is about AED 500-1,000.

If you fail to cancel or renew your visa during the grace period, the following penalties apply:

• AED 25 per day during the first 180 days
• AED 50 per day during the second 180 days
• AED 100 per day after passing a year and more.

Overstay fine

If you overstay your residence visa, you will incur a fine of AED 50 for each day of overstay

The visa cancellation process takes 2-5 business days in most cases.

After your visa is canceled, the UAE grants a grace period allowing you to stay legally while settling your affairs.

• 30 Days: Applies to most work and family visas after cancellation.
• 180 Days: Available for Golden Visa holders, their dependents, Green Visa holders, widows, divorcees, and students who have finished their studies.
• 90 Days: Granted to Property Visa holders.

After submitting your UAE visa cancellation application, processing typically takes up to 48 hours. If any documents are missing, you have 30 days to provide them; otherwise, the application will be voided.

You can verify your visa cancellation status via the ICP website by entering your passport details in the corresponding field. This will show your visa’s status, including whether it has been canceled. This process is useful if you're unsure or outside the UAE.

• Close your bank account.
• Make sure that you have received your salary, bonuses and settlements from your employer in the UAE.
• Cancel the tenancy agreement.
• Pay utility bills.
• Sell the car.

After canceling your visa, you can extend your stay in the UAE by taking one of the following steps during your grace period:

• Travel nearby: Visit a neighboring country and apply for a new UAE visa, such as a tourist or visit visa.
• Airport-to-airport change: Fly out temporarily to obtain a new tourist visa and return.
• Apply for a new visa: If eligible, explore options like property, job seeker, or other visa types. Review requirements to ensure eligibility.

Cancelling your UAE visa is a crucial step when leaving the country or changing jobs, and it is essential to be aware of the process and requirements. By following the steps outlined in this guide and ensuring you have the necessary documents, you can smoothly navigate the visa cancellation process.

Emirabiz will help you to stay informed of any changes in visa regulations and requirements, as they may affect the cancellation process or your eligibility for a new visa.