Cancelling your visa when leaving Dubai

The order of steps

1. Dependants first

   A person sponsoring a spouse, children or other dependants must cancel their visas before his or her own. u.ae residence visa

2. Labour contract through MOHRE

   With an employer, the labour contract and card go through MOHRE with your signature, and the company submits a letter signed by you saying you received all wages and benefits. u.ae residence visa

3. Employer applies to ICP

   Then the employer applies to cancel the residence visa. Normally only the sponsor can do this, and you cannot process the application yourself. u.ae residence visa

4. Your grace period starts

   Its length depends on the permit type: see the table below. Your Emirates ID expires with the visa. ICP residency service u.ae residence visa

Free zone and government employers can follow different steps. This site could not read the MOHRE permit cancellation page or GDRFA Dubai's pages when checking, so confirm details with your employer's PRO or GDRFA.

The 180-day rule

This applies if you are keeping your visa while away. The general rule is that more than 180 days continuously outside the UAE nullifies a residence visa automatically. Listed exceptions include investors, students and residents sent abroad for treatment, plus anyone excluded by an ICP decision. u.ae residence visa

Grace periods after cancellation

Remaining after the grace period costs AED 50 a day, from the following day. ICP residency service

End of service pay

Under the traditional system, it takes at least one year of continuous service. You get 21 days' wage for each of the first five years and 30 days for each year after that, based on the last basic wage and capped at two years' wage. This does not cover temporary work under a year or employers on the Savings Scheme. MOHRE worker rights

Employers must pay wages, entitlements and gratuity within 14 days of termination. u.ae end of service

Money before you go

Credit cards. The bank has up to 45 calendar days to close a card or payment account, unless a negative balance remains. CBUAE Rulebook, Article 5

Bank accounts. Non-card accounts must close within 7 complete business days of the request. Close them only after your DEWA, lease and gratuity money has landed. CBUAE Rulebook, Article 5

Clearance letters. Banks must issue liability statements and clearance letters within 7 working days of application. Emirates NBD says immigration might want to see one when moving abroad. CBUAE Rulebook, Article 7 Emirates NBD

One bank's terms, as an example. Emirates NBD closes only at a zero balance, charges AED 100 if you close within 6 months of opening, and keeps you liable for debit interest and any cheques you issued. Ask your own bank. Emirates NBD

Debts and travel bans

A Khaleej Times legal column reports that, under Federal Decree-Law 42 of 2022, a court can impose a travel ban at a creditor's request where a serious, due debt exceeds Dh10,000, and that it stays until the debt is settled. Another column notes that a bounced security cheque can lead to a criminal complaint and possibly a ban. Khaleej Times legal column Khaleej Times legal column

These are press reports. This site has not read the law's primary text, and could not read Dubai Police's pages on circulars. If you have unpaid debts or gave a bank a security cheque, take advice before booking a flight.

What to keep with you

• Visa cancellation paper and final pay statement.
• DEWA clearance certificate and final bills.
• Bank clearance or liability letter.
• Your Ejari and handover confirmation.
• Telecom clearance. e& offers a letter for closed accounts. e& support