Residence Visa Cancellation in Dubai: Grace Periods and Next Steps

Key Authorities and Service Channels

In Dubai, residence visa cancellation often involves two separate authorities, each responsible for a different part of a resident’s status. Labour‑related matters, such as work permits and standard private‑sector employment contracts, fall under the MOHRE. Immigration‑related issues, such as residence permits and entry permits, fall under the GDRFA Dubai.

The MOHRE provides an online service for “Cancellation of Work Permits and Employment Contracts”, including a dedicated set of services for domestic workers. The GDRFA Dubai, in turn, handles “Cancellation of all types of residence permits” via its smart services (website and mobile app) and through Amer Service Centres in Dubai, such as EGSH.

The GDRFA confirms that residence cancellation procedures in Dubai are completed at Amer Centres and that, where applicable, labour cards (work permits) must be cancelled first and the cancellation certificate provided.

The MOHRE also requires the employee’s signed approval agreeing to the cancellation and acknowledging receipt of all dues, except in specified circumstances such as the worker’s death or the worker being outside the country, where alternative arrangements may apply. This signed acknowledgement is a core safeguard for both parties and a prerequisite for the MOHRE to proceed with the cancellation service.

The stated completion time for this MOHRE cancellation service is two working days. However, residents and employers should allow additional time for internal company procedures and any clarifications the MOHRE may request during processing. Once completed, the resulting work‑permit (labour card) cancellation extract or certificate becomes a required document for residence‑permit cancellation at the GDRFA Dubai in most private‑sector cases.

Step 2 – Cancel the Residence Visa (GDRFA Dubai)

Once the MOHRE work permit and employment‑contract cancellation have been completed, the next stage is the cancellation of the residence permit itself under the GDRFA Dubai. This step brings the residency aspect of the person’s status to an end. It triggers the start of the grace period during which the individual may remain lawfully in the UAE to finalise their next steps or depart the country.

Documents and Standard Fees

The GDRFA Dubai’s service “Cancellation of all types of residence permits” is available via its smart services (website and app) and at Amer Service Centres. The core documents required for this service include the sponsor’s passport and the sponsored person’s passport. Where the sponsored individual works in the private sector, an extract of the work permit cancellation from the MOHRE is also required, reflecting the need to complete the labour‑related step before immigration records are updated.

For this cancellation service, the stated base fee is AED 100 for residence‑permit cancellation, plus AED 10 Knowledge Dirham and AED 10 Innovation Dirham. Residents and sponsors should verify the current applicable amounts at the time of submission, as fee structures may change.

Grace Periods After Cancellation or Expiry

When a residence permit in Dubai is cancelled or expires, the GDRFA Dubai grants a defined grace period during which the individual may legally remain in the UAE to arrange departure or obtain a new residence status. The length of this period depends on the visa category.

Standard Residence Permits – 60 Days

The GDRFA Dubai specifies that most standard residence permits (employees, dependants, private-sector staff, government and semi-government employees) carry a 60-day grace period after cancellation or expiry. During these 60 days, the person may stay in the UAE for the sole purpose of securing a new visa (if eligible) or preparing to leave the country.

Using the Grace Period – Lawful Next Steps

The grace period following visa cancellation or expiry is a structured opportunity to put your affairs in order without entering an overstay period. Within this period, residents may pursue a new residence visa, arrange departure from the UAE, or, in specific categories such as domestic workers, seek a new work‑permit arrangement, always subject to the conditions of the GDRFA Dubai and MOHRE.

Arranging a New Residence Visa

Residents who intend to continue living and, where applicable, working in Dubai can use the grace period to secure a new residence visa. For employment‑based residency, this generally involves a new employer applying for a work permit via the MOHRE and, upon approval, obtaining a new residence permit through GDRFA Dubai. The sequence mirrors the original process: the MOHRE handles the work‑permit issuance, and the GDRFA Dubai issues the corresponding residence permit.

Domestic Workers Changing Employers

Domestic workers (such as household staff) are subject to a dedicated set of MOHRE services. The MOHRE provides specific services to cancel a domestic worker’s work permit and to cancel the domestic worker’s employment contract, both requiring that the employer holds a valid passport, valid Emirates ID and valid residence visa, with a stated service‑completion time of one working day. Federal fees for these services differ depending on whether the worker is inside or outside Dubai, and should be confirmed at the time of application.

The MOHRE’s service for the issuance of a new work permit for domestic workers notes that a domestic worker inside the country whose previous residence visa has been cancelled may be issued a new visa if the termination date of the previous visa does not exceed three months, subject to age‑limit rules and any other applicable conditions. Domestic workers and their sponsors should therefore ensure that the MOHRE and the GDRFA timelines are respected when a domestic worker changes employers.

Overstay After Grace Period – Fines and Legal Risks

Once the grace period after a residence visa cancellation or expiry ends, staying in the UAE without a valid residency status is treated as illegal overstay under the GDRFA Dubai rules. Overstay automatically triggers daily fines, and the individual must either leave the country or regularise a new legal status before further penalties accumulate.

The GDRFA Dubai does not publish a single unified overstay rate for all residence visa categories. Fine amounts vary by visa type and overstay circumstances. However, the authority’s published FAQs provide examples illustrating how fines are applied:

• Visit visas and GCC-resident entry permits. The GDRFA indicates an overstay fine of AED 100 per day, plus an out-pass fee of AED 200 (issued at Dubai airports or at the GDRFA headquarters, depending on the case).
• Entry-permit overstays (non-residence). Specific entry permit categories incur AED 25 per day of overstay.

For residence visa overstays, the applicable fine depends on the specific visa type, overstay duration, and method of departure. It must therefore be confirmed directly with the GDRFA Dubai or Amer Centres before making arrangements.

Because fines accrue daily, individuals are advised to clarify their exact outstanding status and penalties as early as possible to avoid additional costs and complications when exiting the UAE or applying for future visas.

The visa can be placed on hold for a maximum of 60 days. Before this period expires, the individual must regularise their status by either:

• Completing the issuance of the new residence visa under the new employer
• Proceeding with standard residence visa cancellation and following the applicable grace period rules.

The Hold Service is generally considered by residents who are changing employers and who meet the eligibility criteria, but want to avoid a complete cancellation while their new work permit and residence visa are being processed. It can provide a structured transition, allowing the person to remain in the UAE without interruption.

However, eligibility and fees may change, and the service is not suitable for all cases. Individuals and employers should confirm the applicability of the Hold Service directly with the GDRFA Dubai, Amer Centres, or an authorised service provider such as EGSH.

The 60-day limit is critical: if status is not regularised within this period, the visa will revert to standard cancellation procedures and the usual grace-period rules will apply.

Summary Checklist – Residence Visa Cancellation and Grace Periods in Dubai

• Cancel the work permit and employment contract with the MOHRE first (for private-sector employees) and obtain the formal cancellation extract or certificate.
• Submit the residence‑visa cancellation through the GDRFA Dubai smart services or at an Amer Centre, with the required passports, Emirates IDs and, where applicable, the MOHRE work‑permit cancellation extract.
• Be aware of the main fee components: the GDRFA cancellation service fee (e.g. AED 100 + AED 10 Knowledge Dirham + AED 10 Innovation Dirham) plus any Amer Centre fees or deposits specified in the relevant service description or FAQ.
• Note the applicable grace period: generally 60 days after cancellation or expiry for standard residence permits, and 180 days for specificGolden Residency categories, as set out in the GDRFA Dubai’s service pages.

FAQ: Residence Visa Cancellation and Grace Periods in Dubai

How to cancel a residence visa in Dubai step by step?

For standard private‑sector employees, the sequence is: first, the employer applies to the MOHRE for “Cancellation of Work Permits and Employment Contracts”. This requires settlement of any MOHRE fines, a statement from the establishment confirming that all dues have been paid, and the employee’s signed confirmation of receipt of rights, except in specific situations such as death or being overseas. Once the MOHRE approves the cancellation and issues the work permit (labour card) cancellation extract, the sponsor proceeds to the GDRFA Dubai. The residence visa cancellation is then filed through the GDRFA smart services or at an Amer Centre, attaching the sponsor’s passport, the sponsored person’s passport, the MOHRE cancellation extract (where applicable), and, as per the FAQ, the relevant Emirates IDs. After approval, the residence permit is formally cancelled, and the grace‑period countdown begins.

What is the grace period after a residence visa cancellation in Dubai?

According to the GDRFA Dubai’s “Cancellation of all types of residence permits” service, standard residence permits generally carry a 60‑day grace period after cancellation or expiry. A similar 60‑day post‑expiry/cancellation grace period is confirmed in the GDRFA’s renewal service for government and semi‑government employees. During this period, the person may legally remain in the UAE to arrange departure or secure a new legal residency status. It is important to treat this as a maximum limit and to complete any new visa procedures or exit well before the last day to avoid overstay.

What is the difference between the 60‑ and 180‑day visa grace periods in the UAE?

The main difference lies in the category of residence permit. Standard residence visas, including those for most employees and dependants, have a 60‑day grace period after expiry or cancellation, as set out in the GDRFA Dubai’s residence‑cancellation and renewal service descriptions. Specific Golden Residency categories, such as highly skilled specialists, benefit from a 180‑day grace period after expiration or cancellation, according to the GDRFA Dubai’s Golden Residency renewal service. The longer 180‑day window is specific to Golden Residency and should not be assumed for other visa types; residents should verify which category their own permit falls under.

How long can I stay in the UAE after visa cancellation in 2025?

Based on the GDRFA Dubai’s guidance available at the time of writing, individuals with standard residence permits may stay up to 60 days after cancellation or expiry, while holders of qualifying Golden Residency permits may stay up to 180 days after expiration or cancellation. These periods constitute a lawful stay solely for arranging a new legal status or departure.

What happens if I overstay after visa cancellation in Dubai?

If a person remains in Dubai beyond the applicable 60‑ or 180‑day grace period without securing a new legal residency status, they are regarded as overstaying. The GDRFA Dubai’s Legal Awareness guidance states that a fine is imposed for every day of illegal overstay and recommends that individuals either renew their visa or residency permit, where allowed or leave within the grace period to avoid penalties. The GDRFA FAQ gives examples of daily fines for certain entry‑permit and visit‑visa overstays (such as AED 25 per day for some residence entry permits and AED 100 per day plus AED 200 out‑pass for specific visit/GCC visas). Actual fines for residence visa overstays depend on visa type and overstay duration and must be confirmed with the GDRFA Dubai before settlement.

Can I change jobs in Dubai during the visa cancellation grace period?

Changing jobs during or around the grace period is possible in many cases, but must follow the official sequence and conditions. The former employer cancels the work permit and employment contract with the MOHRE, after which the GDRFA Dubai cancels the residence visa. During the subsequent grace period, a new employer may apply for a work permit through the MOHRE and then for a new residence visa through the GDRFA Dubai, provided all conditions are met and timelines are respected. In some situations, the GDRFA’s Hold Service may be used instead of immediate cancellation, placing the existing visa on hold for up to 60 days while a new employer finalises sponsorship.

How to use the GDRFA Hold Service when changing employers?

To use the Hold Service, the current residence visa must have at least three months of remaining validity. The sponsor must submit a cancellation form and present an offer letter from the new company indicating the salary and profession. The original passports and Emirates IDs of both the sponsor and the sponsored person are required. A refundable deposit of AED 2,500 is paid, along with a service fee of AED 141 and any other applicable fees. Once the visa is placed on hold, the GDRFA Dubai allows a maximum holding period of 60 days. Within this period, the new employer is expected to complete the necessary steps to assume sponsorship and issue a new residence permit. If this does not occur, standard cancellation and grace‑period rules will apply, so timing must be carefully managed.

What are the documents required for residence visa cancellation at an Amer Centre?

For residence visa cancellation at an Amer Centre in Dubai, the GDRFA FAQ states that an application form must be completed, either initiated at the Centre or via the GDRFA Dubai mobile app. When the sponsored person is inside the UAE, the original passports and original Emirates IDs of both the sponsor and the sponsored person are required. When the sponsored person is outside the UAE and the residence is still valid with an absence of less than six months, the sponsored person’s passport (if applicable), their original Emirates ID and the sponsor’s original passport and Emirates ID are needed. For private‑sector employees, the labour card (work permit) cancellation certificate from the MOHRE must also be presented. Residents should verify any additional document requirements for their specific visa category directly at an Amer Centre.

How does residence visa cancellation work for domestic workers in the UAE?

For domestic workers, the MOHRE operates dedicated services for cancelling their work permits and employment contracts, with a stated completion time of one working day and federal fees that differ depending on whether the worker is inside or outside Dubai. The employer must hold a valid passport, a valid Emirates ID and a valid residence visa to initiate these cancellations. Once the MOHRE has cancelled the domestic worker’s work permit and contract, the corresponding residence visa is cancelled through the GDRFA Dubai, following similar principles to other categories. The MOHRE’s new work-permit service further indicates that a domestic worker in the UAE whose previous residence visa has been cancelled may receive a new visa if the termination date of the previous visa does not exceed three months, subject to age‑limit rules and other conditions. All of these steps must be coordinated with GDRFA’s residence‑cancellation process and grace‑period framework to avoid overstay.