Visa Cancellation & Grace Period
Written in plain language for general understanding. This is educational content, not legal advice. Based on UAE federal decrees, laws, and ministerial decisions.
UAE Federal Law
What is this right?
When your employment or sponsorship ends, your residence visa must be cancelled. You have a grace period to make arrangements:
- Standard grace period: After visa cancellation, you have 30 days to either find a new sponsor, switch to a different visa type, or leave the UAE.
- Green Visa holders: Get an extended grace period of 6 months after cancellation.
- Golden Visa holders: The visa remains valid even without employment, so cancellation of employment does not automatically cancel the visa.
- Employer obligations: Your employer must cancel your visa within 14 days of your last working day and return your passport.
- Exit permit: You do not need an exit permit to leave the UAE. You can leave at any time, even during the grace period.
When does it apply?
- Your employment contract has ended (by resignation, termination, or expiry).
- Your sponsor has cancelled your visa for any reason.
- You are a dependent whose sponsor's visa has been cancelled.
What should you do?
- Confirm your visa cancellation date with your employer or sponsor — the 30-day grace period starts from this date.
- If you are looking for a new job, apply for a job-seeker visa or secure a new employer sponsorship before the grace period ends.
- Settle any outstanding financial obligations — loans, rent, and utility bills — before leaving.
- Cancel your Emirates ID if you are leaving the UAE permanently.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not overstay past the grace period — overstay fines are AED 100 per day after the first day, plus potential entry bans.
- Do not let your employer delay cancellation — if they refuse to cancel your visa, file a complaint with MOHRE.
- Do not leave the country with outstanding bounced cheques — this can result in a travel ban.
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