Dubai Visa Cancellation Fees In 2025 |HowUAE

So you’re thinking of leaving your job in Dubai or your contract is ending? It’s a big step when it comes to the employment or Dependent Visa Cancellation Fees in Dubai 2025.

I know you’re not alone in wondering this! It’s one of the most common questions we get here at HowUAE and getting it right is key.

Why Does Visa Cancellation Matter?

Mishandling your visa cancellation can lead to unexpected visa cancellation charges, delays, or worse. Failing to cancel your visa properly could even impact your ability to return to the UAE in the future.

Who Pays the Employment Visa Cancellation Fee?

Employer Responsibilities for Visa Cancellation

Generally, the employer responsibility visa cancellation fee is standard in the UAE. Your employer, as your sponsor, is typically responsible for:

Initiating the process
Covering the basic work permit and residence visa cancellation costs

However, check your employment contract. Some clauses may hold you liable for certain charges if you resign early. Employers do not usually cover:

Overstay fines
Non-standard service charges

What If the Employer Refuses to Cancel?

This is rare, but it happens. If your employer won’t process the cancellation after your notice period:

Raise a formal query first
Then file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)

This avoids potential absconding report UAE consequences, which can cause long-term complications.

Dubai Employment Visa Cancellation Fee Breakdown (2025)

Work Visa Cancellation fee in Dubai?

Here are estimated 2025 fees for cancelling a UAE employment visa. Always verify with official sources:

Service	Estimated Cost (AED)	Notes
General Employment Visa Cancellation	100 – 300	Includes core processing fees
Labour Card/Work Permit Cancellation	Employer-paid	Handled by MOHRE before immigration cancellation
GDRFA Website/App (Urgent)	~100 (plus Dirham fees)	AED 10 Knowledge + AED 10 Innovation fees may apply
ICP Website/App	~50 + 10	E-service and order fee
AMER Centers	~190 + service fee	Varies by center
Typing Center Services	Varies	Depends on agent or typing center policy
Translation/Attestation (if needed)	Varies	Usually optional unless specific docs required

While basic visa cancellation fees are generally covered by the employer, channel-specific service charges may apply depending on where the application is processed.

Employment Visa Cancellation Process in UAE

1. Employer’s Responsibilities

Before cancelling the visa, your employer must:

Clear All Dues: Ensure final salary, accrued leave, and end of service benefits UAE are paid
Cancel Labour Card/Work Permit: Via MOHRE
Obtain Employee Signature: On the UAE visa cancellation form

Pro Tip from HowUAE: Only sign the form after receiving your full settlement.

2. Immigration Process: GDRFA or ICP

After MOHRE approval, the residency visa cancellation UAE process continues:

Submission Methods:

Online: Through GDRFA or UAEICP portals/apps
Offline: Via AMER centers or typing centers

Required Documents:

Passport copy
Emirates ID (original)
Signed cancellation form
Labour card cancellation proof
Company license + establishment card copy

3. Employee’s Final Responsibilities

Before departure, be sure to:

Close your bank account UAE
Settle all loans and utility bills (DEWA, telecom)
Cancel your tenancy contract Dubai
Sell assets if applicable
Request a clearance certificate (if needed)

Grace Period After Visa Cancellation in UAE (2025)

How Long Do You Have After Cancellation?

After your residence visa cancellation, a visa cancellation grace period UAE allows time to:

Transfer your visa
Find a new job
Exit the country legally

Typical Grace Periods:

Visa Type	Grace Period
Standard Employment Visa	30–90 days (Verify)
Golden/Green/Investor	180 days
Visit/Visa-on-Arrival	Very short / None

Important: Grace period may start from either the MOHRE cancellation date or the GDRFA/ICP cancellation, depending on your visa type. Always confirm through official portals.

Overstaying Fines

Overstaying the grace period leads to:

AED 50 per day fine
Risk of legal issues

How to Check Visa Cancellation Status Online

You can easily check visa cancellation status UAE through:

1. ICP Portal

Go to icp.gov.ae
Use passport number and nationality to verify status

2. GDRFA (Dubai Residents)

Visit gdrfad.gov.ae
Check visa cancellation confirmation UAE

Processing usually takes 48 hours, excluding holidays.

Cancelling Family/Dependent Visas

If you sponsor dependents, cancel their visas first before cancelling your own.

Process Overview:

Responsible Party: You (the sponsor)
Channels: GDRFA/ICP online, AMER centers, or typing centers

Family Visa Cancellation Fees:

Dependent Type	Estimated Fee (AED)
Spouse/Child	188 – 288 per person

Required Documents:

Your passport & Emirates ID
Dependent’s passport & Emirates ID
Filled application form

Things To Avoid During Visa Cancellation

Avoid These Costly Mistakes:

Leaving UAE without cancelling visa
Relying on automatic cancellation after 6 months outside UAE
Not settling bills or closing accounts
Overstaying grace period
Ignoring NOC discussions when switching jobs

These issues can result in:

Absconding reports
Legal consequences
Future re-entry bans

Final Thoughts

Dealing with visa cancellation fees and procedures in Dubai can be complex—but with preparation, it doesn’t have to be stressful.

Key takeaways:

Employers usually cover core cancellation costs
Always verify fees and grace periods on official portals
Settle all dues before signing the visa cancellation form
Use GDRFA or ICP platforms for updates
Be cautious of fines or bans related to overstay or improper cancellation

This HowUAE guide aims to help you confidently manage your employment visa cancellation in Dubai, protect your record, and leave on a clean slate in 2025 and beyond.