Visa Cancellation

Visa Cancellation is the formal closure of a UAE residency visa — required before leaving the country permanently, transferring sponsor (changing jobs), or switching visa category. The process involves cancelling at MOHRE (for employment visas) and at GDRFA / ICP (for residency). Once cancelled, the holder enters the 30-day Grace Period to exit, transfer, or restart status.

Leaving the UAE without cancelling — 'absconding' on an active employment visa — triggers a labour ban, immigration ban, and fines for both employee and employer.

The visa cancellation process generally involves the following steps: 1. Initiating the Cancellation: Contact your authorized partner (e.g., a law firm or immigration consultant) to initiate the cancellation process. 2. Gathering Documents: Collect the required documents, which typically include your passport, visa details, and any supporting documentation. 3. Submitting the Application: Submit the cancellation application through your authorized partner to MOHRE and GDRFA. 4. Processing: The authorities will review the application and process the cancellation. 5. Confirmation: You will receive confirmation of the visa cancellation once the process is complete.

For example, a UAE national who is seeking to retire abroad may need to cancel their residency visa before departing. Similarly, an employee whose employment has ended may need to cancel their visa before returning to their home country. A company may also need to cancel the visa of a key executive who is leaving the UAE.

A clean cancellation closes labour and immigration files cleanly. Skipping it (absconding) creates a record that follows the worker through future UAE employment and travel.