How to Cancel Your UAE Residence Visa

The residence visa is issued to people who are working in the UAE. It is also issued to a family member or dependent, which a UAE resident has sponsored. The visa is valid for 2 to 3 years and may be renewed for as long as the resident is working in the country.

But what happens when you have decided to leave the UAE for good? In this case, your residence visa should be officially cancelled. Actually, your employer or sponsor is the one who cancels your visa. Still, it would be wise for you to know how the process is done.

how to cancel uae residence visa
What happens to your visa when you decide to leave UAE for good?

Guide to Cancellation of Residence Visa in Dubai UAE

To cancel a worker’s visa, the company first goes to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), where they apply to cancel a worker’s labour contract and labour card. The employee is also asked to sign this application.

Similarly, the company should also cancel the employee’s work permit. This involves submitting a letter indicating that the employee has received all his wages and end-of-service (gratuity) pay. This document should also be signed by the employee.

Then, the employer goes to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) to process the visa cancellation. Ideally, it must be processed via the same GDRFA office that stamped the residence visa in the beginning.

Meanwhile, in the case of a sponsored spouse, child, or parent — the resident should first cancel his dependents’ visas before canceling his own.

Required Documents
To cancel a residence visa, the following documents are needed:

  • Cancellation form signed by sponsor
  • Original passport of sponsored person
  • Original identity card of sponsored person

NOTE: If the sponsor is a company, the form should be signed and sealed using the company stamp. The company’s clearance certificate from MoHRE should also be attached.

If the sponsored person is outside of the UAE, the sponsor may present the original passport or a computerised extract of his residence visa. This may be acquired from the Naturalisation and Residency Department.

Your visa should be officially cancelled.

Visa Cancellation Procedure
Basically, there are two ways to cancel a residence visa:

Method #1 – Typing Centre
The sponsor goes to any typing centre, which will accomplish the cancellation form and process it online through the respective GDRFA.

Method #2 – Online
The sponsor processes the cancellation online through the respective GDRFA or Ministry of Interior platform. For instance, those based in Dubai may visit the GDRFA Dubai website.

Duration & Cancellation Fee
If all the necessary documents are submitted, the process can be completed in just one day or less. The fee for cancellation of residence visas is AED 110.

Additional Reminders:
Once your residence visa is cancelled, you have a “grace period” of 30 days to leave the country or apply for another residence visa (if you happened to change your mind about leaving). Take note that your Emirates identity card will also be cancelled and should be surrendered.

DISCLAIMER: The details presented above are for information-sharing purposes only. To know more about the latest requirements, procedure, and fees in cancelling residence visas, please visit the official websites of the Ministry of Interior and GDRFA Dubai.