Cancelling a UAE Residence Visa in Dubai

Who runs this process

Before you start

• Cancellation is initiated by the sponsor (the employer for a work visa, the family sponsor for a dependent)
• For a private-sector employee, all dues are settled first: final salary, end-of-service gratuity, and any WPS arrears
• The sponsor's passport and the sponsored person's passport are available
• Any dependents sponsored under this visa are cancelled as part of the same exit

The journey

Each step is marked by who acts: YouEmployerYou + employer Steps on the highlighted spine sit inside the 60-day window.

1. 1
   EmployerEmployer / sponsor

   Sponsor settles dues and starts the cancellation

   The employer for a work visa, or the family sponsor for a dependent

   Cancellation is always started by the sponsor, never the visa holder. For a private-sector employee the employer first settles the final salary, end-of-service gratuity, and any WPS arrears, because unresolved dues can block the cancellation. For a family visa the sponsor simply begins the cancellation of the dependent.

   You get

   Agreement to proceed and settled dues where applicable

   Typical time

   varies (indicative, confirm on the portal)

   Fee

   Fee varies, confirm at the official portal · paid by employer (No fee to agree the settlement; the cancellation steps below carry their own fees)

   Watch out for

   • Leaving the country without cancelling: the visa keeps running and problems surface on your next entry or renewal
   • Unsettled WPS salary or an end-of-service dispute can stall the whole cancellation

   Family Dependent: For a family visa there is no MOHRE stage. The sponsor goes straight to the residence cancellation at GDRFA.

   Full guide: Sponsor settles dues and starts the cancellation

2. 2
   EmployerMOHRE

   Cancel the work permit and labour contract at MOHRE

   Private-sector employees only; filed by the employer or a PRO

   For a private-sector employee the employer cancels the work permit and labour contract with MOHRE. This produces a work permit cancellation extract, which GDRFA requires before it will cancel the residence visa. Government-sector and family visas skip this step.

   You get

   MOHRE work permit cancellation extract

   Typical time

   1-3 working days (indicative, confirm on the portal)

   Fee

   Fee varies, confirm at the official portal · paid by employer (Cancellation fees vary; usually borne by the employer)

   Watch out for

   • Trying to cancel the residence visa first: GDRFA asks for the MOHRE cancellation extract for private-sector staff

   Family Dependent: Not applicable. A family or dependent visa has no MOHRE work permit to cancel.

   Full guide: Cancel the work permit and labour contract at MOHRE

3. 3
   EmployerGDRFA Dubai / Amer centre

   Cancel the residence visa at GDRFA Dubai

   Filed at GDRFA channels or an Amer service centre by the sponsor or PRO

   The sponsor applies to cancel the residence permit. GDRFA requires the sponsor's passport, the sponsored person's passport, and, for a private-sector employee, the MOHRE work permit cancellation extract. The visa holder does not need to sign in person, which is what makes cancelling while the holder is abroad possible.

   You get

   Residence permit cancelled; the 60-day grace period begins

   Typical time

   1-3 working days (indicative, confirm on the portal)

   Fee

   Fee varies, confirm at the official portal · paid by employer (GDRFA charges a service fee for cancellation; confirm the current amount)

   Deadline

   Once cancelled, a 60-day grace period runs before overstay fines apply.

   Watch out for

   • Assuming the holder must be present: they do not need to sign in person for cancellation, unlike issuance

   Outside UAE: The visa can be cancelled while the holder is abroad. Note that a residence visa also lapses automatically after more than 180 days spent outside the UAE.

   Other Emirate: Outside Dubai, cancellation is handled through ICP Smart Services rather than GDRFA.

   Full guide: Cancel the residence visa at GDRFA Dubai

4. 4
   AuthorityICP

   Emirates ID is cancelled with the visa

   Automatic; no separate application by the holder

   The residence visa and the Emirates ID are linked, so when the residence permit is cancelled the Emirates ID is cancelled at the same time. There is nothing separate for the holder to do.

   You get

   Emirates ID deactivated alongside the residence permit

   Typical time

   same time as the visa cancellation (indicative, confirm on the portal)

   Fee

   Fee varies, confirm at the official portal · paid by employer (No separate Emirates ID cancellation fee; it is part of the visa cancellation)

   Watch out for

   • Trying to use the Emirates ID for services after cancellation: it stops working once the visa is cancelled

   Full guide: Emirates ID is cancelled with the visa

5. 5
   YouGDRFA Dubai / new sponsor

   Leave the UAE, transfer, or start a new visa within the grace period

   This is the former resident's responsibility, not the sponsor's

   During the grace period the former resident must either leave the UAE, transfer to a new sponsor, or begin a new residence visa. In Dubai the grace period is 60 days. Golden and Green visa holders are granted longer, up to 180 days. Miss it and overstay fines of AED 50 a day apply.

   You get

   Legal exit, a new sponsorship, or a new visa application

   Typical time

   within 60 days of cancellation

   Fee

   Fee varies, confirm at the official portal · paid by you (Overstaying beyond the grace period costs AED 50 per day)

   Watch out for

   • Believing the grace period is only 30 days: GDRFA Dubai grants 60, and some categories up to 180. Counting from the wrong figure risks accidental overstay

   Inside UAE: Transferring to a new employer inside the UAE avoids an exit; see the guide on changing status without leaving.

   Full guide: Leave the UAE, transfer, or start a new visa within the grace period

Documents checklist

Where this goes wrong

What comes next

• Transfer to a new employer without leaving
• Leaving the UAE for good: the full checklist
• Returning after more than 6 months abroad