UAE: How to cancel your residence, employment visa

If you wish to leave the UAE permanently your visa needs to be cancelled

Normally, only the sponsor can cancel the residence visa.

To cancel your employment visa, your work permit needs to be cancelled first.

Most companies have online establishment accounts with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).

What happens if a company does not have an online MOHRE account?

As an employee, you would first need to confirm that you have received all your wages and end of service benefits.

After MOHRE cancels the work permit your residence visa can be cancelled.

If you have sponsored your family, you would first need to cancel their visa before your visa is cancelled by your employer.

You would need to approach the GDRFA in the emirate that issued your visa.

Once your work permit and dependent's visa is cancelled, your visa can be cancelled.

The typing centre should be registered with GDRFA.

Typing centres can apply for visa cancellation through the online GDRFA portal.

To apply for cancellation in Dubai, visit https://amer.gdrfad.gov.ae/auth/signin. For all other emirates, visit https://smartservices.ica.gov.ae/echannels/web/client/default.html#/login

The cancellation form (from any typing centre)

If you are on an employment visa, the company needs to sign and seal the cancellation form.

There is also a way to apply for the cancellation if the sponsored individual is not in the UAE.

Cost - approximately Dh110.

The cancellation process does not typically take more than a day.

GDRFA will send you an update on your registered mobile number and email address. If you do not leave the UAE within the grace period provided, you would need to pay overstay fines. Read more here: https://gulfnews.com/1.1578298937265