UAE Visa Cancellation 2026 – Complete Guide for Dubai Tourist, Family & Employment Visas

Need to cancel a UAE visa—tourist, family, or employment? Doing it correctly ensures your immigration record is clean, avoids fines, and makes your next UAE entry smooth. This 2026 guide explains who cancels, how to cancel, fees, documents, timelines, grace periods, and the risks of getting it wrong.

Why Visa Cancellation Matters in 2026

Your visa status is recorded with GDRFA (Dubai) or ICP (rest of UAE). Incorrect or incomplete cancellation can cause:

• Airport issues when re-entering the UAE

• Fines/overstays and blocked applications

• Delays in new employment or family sponsorship

Who Can Cancel Which Visa?

• Tourist/Visit Visa: Usually the sponsor/travel agency/airline that issued it (not always required—see below).

• Family/Dependent Residence Visa: The sponsor (e.g., husband/parent).

• Employment Residence Visa: The employer (sponsor) must initiate via MOHRE (labour) and GDRFA/ICP (residence).

Tourist/Visit Visa Cancellation – When You Need It & When You Don’t

Tourist Visa: Do I need to cancel an unused e-visa?

If you never used your approved tourist/visit e-visa and it expired naturally (validity window lapsed), you generally don’t need to cancel—it auto-expires in the system.
You do need cancellation if you:

• Want to apply for a different visa type immediately (e.g., residence entry permit) and the active tourist visa conflicts, or

• Your sponsor/agency requires formal cancellation to clear records.

Tourist/Visit Visa Cancellation Fees

Typical service charges: ~AED 100–200 (varies by sponsor/agency/emirate). Always confirm with your issuing sponsor or GDRFA Dubai for Dubai-issued visas.

Pro tip: If your plan is to convert to employment/residence, ask your employer/sponsor if they prefer cancellation + exit or in-country status change (fees differ).

Family/Dependent Residence Visa Cancellation

Documents Required – Family Visa Cancellation 2026

• Sponsor’s original passport

• Sponsor’s original Emirates ID

• Typed cancellation form (through an authorized typing center or online portal)

• Dependent’s passport & visa page (original for stamping if requested)

Step-by-Step: Family Visa Cancellation

1. Visit an authorized typing center or online portal (GDRFA Dubai / ICP).

2. Submit the typed application with required documents.

3. Pay cancellation fees.

4. Receive approval (often same day).

5. Optional: Get a cancellation stamp on the passport at the nearest immigration branch (bring original passport + approval).

Fees & Processing Time

• Fees: ~AED 200–250 (varies).

• Time: Often within hours; allow up to 1–2 working days.

Employment/Work Residence Visa Cancellation

Two-Part Process: MOHRE & GDRFA/ICP

1. MOHRE (Labour) – Cancel labour card & contract.

2. GDRFA/ICP (Residence) – Cancel the residence visa.

Who Must Take Action? Employer vs. Employee

• The employer (sponsor) must file both cancellations.

• The employee provides passport, Emirates ID, and signs forms; company provides trade license, establishment cards, and e-signatory card.

Documents, Fees & Timeline

• Docs: Employee passport, residence visa page, Emirates ID; company docs & authorized signatory e-signature.

• Fees: Typically ~AED 100–200 for residence cancellation (labour side varies by case).

• Timeline: Commonly 1–3 working days end-to-end, provided there are no pending dues or legal holds.

Important: Clear dues, company assets, & exit formalities before signing. Keep copies of your signed cancellation and final settlement.

Cancelling a UAE Work Permit & Labour Card

Your employer files the labour card/contract cancellation with MOHRE first. Once MOHRE updates the status, GDRFA/ICP processes the residence visa cancellation. Both are needed to fully end your work status.

Cancellation While You’re Outside the UAE

If you’ve been outside the UAE ~6 months or more, many residence visas become invalid automatically. Your sponsor/employer can still file cancellation in the system. To return later, you’ll typically need a new entry permit under your next visa type.

Leaving without formal cancellation can trigger HR/legal issues and complicate re-entry. Always coordinate proper cancellation.

Grace Period After Visa Cancellation

After residence visa cancellation, a grace period is generally granted to exit the UAE or change status. In many cases this is around 30 calendar days, but it can vary by visa type/emirate and current policy. Always check the exact grace period stated on your approval/cancellation notice or with GDRFA/ICP.

Overstay Fines & Penalties

If you remain in the UAE beyond your allowed stay or grace period, daily overstay fines apply (commonly AED 50/day for visitors/residents). Additional service/admin fees may be due upon exit or status change.

Quick Reference: Typical Fees

Note: Fees vary by emirate, channel (typing center vs. online), and policy updates. Always confirm with GDRFA Dubai (for Dubai) or ICP (other emirates)/MOHRE.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming auto-cancellation of an active residence visa when switching jobs—formal cancellation is required.

• Ignoring the grace period – leads to fines and record issues.

• Not cancelling dependents before cancelling the sponsor’s visa.

• Leaving the UAE without MOHRE + GDRFA/ICP completion (for employees).

• Applying for a new visa type while an active/overlapping one still exists.

Why Use Our Professional Service Instead of DIY

DIY risks: wrong forms, missing documents, mismatched dates, or using the wrong channel (MOHRE vs GDRFA/ICP)—all of which can cause rejections, fines, or travel delays.
With us (Dubai Visit Visa Online):

• Correct form-filling and documents checked by experts

• Fast processing via authorized channels

• Real-time updates and clear instructions for stamping/exit

• Options for status change if you’re staying to switch to employment or family sponsorship

👉 Ready to cancel or switch status? Apply for assistance now on Dubai Visit Visa Online and get it done right—the first time.

Conclusion & Next Steps

A clean UAE visa cancellation protects your record and keeps future applications smooth. Whether you’re cancelling a tourist, family, or employment visa, follow the correct documents, fees, and channels (MOHRE + GDRFA/ICP)—and respect the grace period.

Need help right now?
👉 Apply through Dubai Visit Visa Online for expert handling, faster processing, and zero guesswork—so you can travel or switch status with confidence.