There is a constant debate on visa cancellation in the country of your employment. Some people are for visa cancellation, and some are against it. Let us tell you the pros and cons of visa cancellation. Ultimately, the decision is up to you and your employer’s requirements. We will notify you how to cancel your visa status in UAE and the cancellation rules here in the country of residency. You can start following the steps below if you want to cancel your visa status. We will tell you everything you need to know about the visa cancellation process, including the days before visa status can be cancelled and the grace period after cancellation.
Visa Cancellation
Visa cancellation is a process that allows expats to leave a country after their visa has expired properly. The procedure for visa cancellation will depend on the country that issued the visa. In the UAE, cancellation of the residency visa is the best method for leaving the country.
The process for visa cancellation involves submitting required documents and passport copies. It is possible to check the visa cancellation status to confirm it has been cancelled. This information can be found in the passport or online via a visa cancellation authority website.
Once the visa status has been confirmed, following the correct steps and processes outlined by the country’s government where the visa was issued is important.
How to Cancel Visa in UAE?
Following a process is essential if you plan to cancel your visa in the UAE. However, the visa cancellation process can be done in person at a typing center of the GDRFA in the emirate where you live.
The documents required for visa cancellation include the visa cancellation form signed by the sponsor, the original passport, and a computerized extract of the residency visa (if not in the UAE).
Follow the steps below to cancel your visa,
- Get a visa cancellation form from the GDRFA
- Fill it out and get your sponsor’s signature
- Upload all required documents to the website of the visa cancellation authority
- Confirm that your visa has been cancelled on the website
How Many Days for Visa Cancellation in UAE?
It is vital to understand the process of checking the status of visa cancellations in UAE. A person who wants the visa cancellation of visit visa should contact the immigration department of the country where they had the visa issued. Approval of such requests takes a maximum period of 48 hours. If a visa expires, a person can approach the immigration portal and extend their stay visa by paying the applicable fee.
This process of cancellation or extension will depend on the visa’s expiry date. A visa will be automatically cancelled unless used for over six months. The amount charged for cancellation varies between AED 160 to AE 300 as per the date of expiry and validity of the passport.
Generally, there is no termination clause for validating a visa in UAE. However, if a person cancels their visit visa within six months of issuing the passport, they must pay the penalty.
How to Check Visa Cancellation Status in UAE?
The visa cancellation process in the UAE involves stopping the renewal of a residence visa. This is an official process wherein a person seeking visa cancellation needs to visit the nearest visa office or the visa office website to submit the form and details of the request. The form contains information about the reason for the cancellation of the visa and the passport number, nationality, date of birth, etc.
The visa office or website then contacts the immigration authority in the country where the passport holder has passport stamp entry/exit. The immigration authority then issues a cancellation notice to the passport holder and informs them about the status of their request. The passport holder must receive this notice before travelling to UAE. The passport holder must receive this notice to be allowed entry into UAE after clearing the visa cancellation process.
The cost of visa cancellation can vary depending on the services used. For example, in case of typing centre cancellation, a passport holder must pay Dh100 per passport plus Dh100 per visa, valid up to a maximum of Dh500 per passport. In case of online fee cancellation, a passport holder must pay Dh250 per passport plus Dh200 per non-valid visa up to a maximum of Dh1000 per passport. Other than these two options, there are other visa cancellations like Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi, and Kuwait (OSK).
The general process for OSK involves submitting a request at the immigration authority website or through offline channels such as typing centres or overseas missions abroad. However, in some countries, such as Oman and Qatar, applicants can visit immigration offices for visa cancellation requests and renew visas.
Follow the steps below to check your visa cancellation status,
- Go to the ICP website
- Click the ‘passport information’ tab
- Choose ‘Visa’ or ‘Residency’
- Enter your passport number and the passport expiry date, then choose your nationality
- Click ‘Search’
- Your visa expiration date will be displayed, including all your other visa details
What is 180 Days Grace Period After Visa Cancellation?
A ‘grace period’ is when a person can stay in the country without a visa after their visa has been cancelled. This period varies depending on the nationality of the expatriate resident and the length of time they have stayed in the country.
After cancelling a visa, a 30-day grace period is granted. If an expatriate resident lives outside the UAE for more than 180 days continuously, their residence visa will be nullified automatically. However, exceptions to the 180-day rule exist, allowing an expatriate resident to stay outside the UAE for more than six months and still maintain the validity of their residence visa.
Additional cancellation charges and penalties may apply for outside-country cancellations when cancelling a visa. Exceptions to the grace period may also apply if the expatriate resident has applied for an extension of their visa or residency permit before the passport becomes invalid. Expatriates must understand the grace period and its exceptions before cancelling their visas.
Conclusion
The visa cancellation period in the UAE is 180 days. If a visa is cancelled, the traveller must leave the country by the end of the 90 days or before. After cancellation, travellers may request visa status updates from the visa and passport authority in the UAE. A visa status update generally takes a day or two to process. However, if you have a passport emergency number for passport services, you can get updates faster through SMS.
FAQ – How to Check Visa Cancellation Status in UAE?
How can I know if my visa is Cancelled?
The easiest way to know if your visa has been cancelled is to check with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) that issued the visa. This government agency has a website where visa holders can input their passport number and visa number to see if they have been cancelled.
If the visa has been cancelled, you will be given a cancellation copy printout with the date of cancellation. After you have received the cancellation copy, you have 30 days to leave the country. You will be subject to legal action if you do not leave within this period.
How can I get my UAE visa cancellation paper online?
To cancel your visa and travel to the UAE, you must submit a visa cancellation application online through the ICP or GDRFA website. Make sure to attach all required documents, including a passport-sized photograph, visa application form, visa fee payment form, and your passport.
After applying, you will need to visit one of the AMER service centres to check the status of your visa cancellation. You can also check the status of your visa cancellation online from the website.
How much is the cancellation fee for UAE visa?
There is no definitive answer regarding the cancellation fee for UAE visa, as the amount will vary depending on the service or platform used. However, one can expect the cost of cancelling a UAE visa to range from AED 15 (USD 4.08) – AED 60 (USD 16.34). The sponsor of the visa applicant is usually responsible for covering the costs of cancelling the visa, which may include a processing fee and any cancellation fees.
If you need to extend the validity period of your visa, this can be done by applying for an extension within 60 days for a fee of AED 200. Cancellation of a UAE visit visa can cost anywhere between AED 160 to AED 300.
Is Emirates ID valid after visa cancellation?
Yes, an Emirates ID is still valid after visa cancellation. You must still provide a passport and Emirates ID for visa cancellation. You will also need to give a clearance statement of all financial liabilities, a copy of the entry permit, and cancellation or assignment of the Trade License upon the cancellation of a residency to apply for visa cancellation.
A new Emirates ID will be issued for the future if your residency is cancelled. In addition, UAE’s unemployment benefits scheme applies to all public and private sector employees.
What if my employer does not cancel my visa?
Suppose your employer does not cancel your visa before the UAE visa can be cancelled. In that case, you may have to submit a complaint to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Cancelling a visa starts with the employer submitting a letter signed by the employee stating they have received all wages and end of services benefits to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. Then, the application for cancellation must be made at the offices of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
If your visa is cancelled due to this process, you must also cancel the visas of your family members who are sponsored on a Family Visa.
Can my employer cancel my visa without my signature?
Your employer can only cancel your visa with your signature. The process of cancelling a visa must be done by the sponsor, who is the person who stamped the visa on the passport.
To cancel a residence visa, the sponsor and the Immigration Authority (GDRFA) must visit an authorized typing center or immigration office. The application process for cancelling a UAE Residence Visa must be done together. The following documents should be submitted with the application: passport, UAE ID card, visa fee, and copies of the employment contract and residency permit.
The visa cancellation process is a two-step process. First, the visa holder must abide by the following 30-day limit after their visa is cancelled to leave the country: Within 30 days after the cancellation notice was served, the visa holder can leave the country without any problems or obligations. After the first 30 days, they are subject to all the legalities that apply to any expatriate in the country. Ensure you’re fully aware of all the details before deciding to cancel your visa.
What happens if employer does not cancel visa in UAE?
If your employer does not cancel the work visa and permit, you cannot leave the UAE or renew your visa. As per UAE regulations, you are legally obliged to leave within 30 days of visa cancellation. You should check with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs to confirm your visa has been cancelled. You or your employer may be fined or penalized if the visa is not cancelled. It is also important to ensure you have all the required documents for visa cancellation before applying.
What happens after visa cancellation?
After visa cancellation, the passport holder will receive a cancellation copy printout from the Amer/Tasheel centre. To receive a cancellation stamp on the passport’s visa page, the applicant must submit the cancellation request directly at the immigration branch office or bring the cancellation paper from the typing centre along with the passport. Cancellation approval typically takes 5 to 7 working days and can cost up to AED 1,344.38 (USD 366.5)*.
