Cancelling a UAE Residence Visa When Leaving the Country, and the Risks of Leaving It in Place
When a foreign resident leaves the UAE — whether because the business is withdrawing or an employee is being transferred — it is important to cancel the visa properly. Rather than leaving the country and letting the visa run until it expires, make sure the cancellation procedure is completed.
Why a residence visa must be cancelled
The UAE Government portal states that anyone who decides to leave the country permanently must formally cancel their residence visa. Failing to complete the proper cancellation process can cause problems if the person returns to the UAE in future.
Visas held by anyone the departing person sponsors, such as family members, must also be cancelled. As a rule, only the sponsor can cancel a residence visa; the sponsored person cannot cancel it directly.
In the UAE, foreign nationals need a visa sponsor to live and work in the country. The sponsor supports and is responsible for the applicant's visa and lawful stay. Sponsors fall broadly into three types: company sponsors, for employees' work visas; individual sponsors, for family visas; and self-sponsorship, for investors, freelancers and others setting up their own business.
The process for company sponsors
When a company cancels an employee's work visa, the following steps are required.
- 1Apply to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) to cancel the employee's employment contract and labour card (the employee's signature is required).
- 2The employer applies for visa cancellation to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
- 3Submit to MoHRE a signed letter stating that the employee has received all outstanding dues, wages and end-of-service benefits, and cancel the work permit.
Where the employee sponsors family members, the family members' visas must be cancelled before the employee's own visa. For UAE free zone companies, the visa cancellation application is generally made to the free zone authority under that free zone's rules.
The process for individual sponsors
An individual who sponsors family members, such as a spouse or children, must cancel the dependants' visas through the designated service centres or apps before cancelling their own visa.
How to apply for cancellation
A visa cancellation application can be made in the following ways.
- Through an ICP-approved typing centre: the typing office completes the cancellation form on your behalf and processes it online through the ICP.
- Through the online platform on the ICP website: the sponsor applies directly.
- Through the ICP app (UAE ICP): the sponsor applies directly.
What happens if a visa is not cancelled
As a rule, a residence visa is automatically invalidated if the foreign resident stays outside the UAE for 180 consecutive days or more. However, where a resident holding a valid residence permit had to remain abroad for more than six months for study, work or medical treatment, they can apply — for example through the ICP website — to reinstate their residency and enter the country.
The application must be made from outside the UAE, after more than 180 days abroad, and must give a valid reason explaining why the extended absence was necessary. Approval is at the ICP's discretion, and a fine is charged according to the length of time spent abroad. If the application is approved, the person must enter the UAE within 30 days.
The risks of a visa lapsing through a long absence, and the impact on company operations such as the authority of signatories and managers, are covered in detail in UAE Visa Lapse Risk from Long Absences.
Particularly when closing a company, the visa cancellation date needs to be planned together with the schedule for cancelling the company licence and other steps. Failing to follow the proper procedure can cause problems at your next entry or application, and fines can build up without you realising.
Cancelling your residence visa (UAE Government portal); General provisions for the residence visa (UAE Government portal); ICP launches service of entry permit application for residents who stayed outside country for over 6 months (WAM); Issue Permit for Staying Outside UAE Over 6 Months (ICP Smart Services); UAE Digital Government issues advisory for expats on residence visa cancellation (Gulf News).
When leaving the UAE for good or withdrawing from the country, the residence visa must be cancelled through the procedure that applies to company or individual sponsors. A visa left uncancelled is automatically invalidated after 180 days or more abroad, and re-entry then requires a re-entry permit application that is assessed case by case and carries fines. Planning the cancellation together with the company licence cancellation helps prevent fines from building up unnoticed.
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