Employment Visa Cancellation UAE: MOHRE, GDRFA Fees and Time

Last updated 24 October 2026

Employment visa cancellation in the UAE has two parts, in a set order. First the employer cancels the work permit with MOHRE, which is free online apart from federal fees and takes 2 working days. Then the residence is cancelled: in Dubai at GDRFA for AED 100 plus AED 10 and AED 10, in 48 hours. The employee then has a grace period, which GDRFA puts at 60 days.

The employer files both steps as sponsor. If the employee sponsors family, those visas go first.

Fees for each step

Step	Fee	Authority
Work permit and contract cancellation, online	Free apart from federal fees	MOHRE
Business centre commission, if used	Up to AED 72	MOHRE cap
Residence cancellation, Dubai	AED 100	GDRFA
Knowledge Dirham and Innovation Dirham	AED 10 + AED 10	GDRFA
Residence cancellation application, other emirates	AED 50	ICP
Smart services, other emirates	AED 100	ICP
Exceptional cancellation, other emirates	AED 100	ICP

Source: MOHRE cancellation page (23 October 2026), GDRFA cancellation of all types of residence permits and ICP residency cancellation, checked October 2026.

An older GDRFA FAQ shows higher cancellation amounts split by individuals and companies. That page is now blocked and undated. The current service page shows AED 100 plus AED 20 in the two dirham fees, so use that.

What Dubai agencies charge

We found no published price range for employment visa cancellation from Dubai agencies, so we do not show one.

Step 1: the MOHRE work permit

MOHRE lists these conditions to cancel a work permit and contract:

The MOHRE cancellation form, signed by both parties for a permit that was used
Proof that the worker's dues are paid
The employee's signature
Any late fines on the file paid

This is the step where disputes show up. If your final salary, leave pay or end of service is unpaid, the form is where it gets recorded. Read it before you sign.

Step 2: the residence at GDRFA or ICP

For a Dubai visa, GDRFA asks for:

The sponsor's passport, as GDRFA words it
The employee's passport
The MOHRE work permit cancellation extract

GDRFA takes it online at any hour or at an Amer centre and lists 48 hours. A visa issued in Abu Dhabi or another emirate goes to ICP instead, which gives 2 days. Our residence visa cancellation page covers non-work residences.

The grace period: two authorities, two answers

Source	Grace period after cancellation
GDRFA private sector residence page	60 days
ICP, skilled workers at levels 1 to 3	90 days
ICP, permits with a guarantor or host	60 days
ICP, all other categories	30 days
ICP, Golden, Green and Blue residence holders	180 days

Source: GDRFA private sector residence and ICP residency cancellation, checked 23 October 2026.

These do not agree. For a Dubai visa, GDRFA's 60 days is the figure on its own page. For other emirates, ICP's category decides. If you are unsure, plan for the shorter one. After the grace period, ICP charges AED 50 a day. See the UAE overstay fine page.

Processing time

MOHRE work permit cancellation: 2 working days
GDRFA residence cancellation: 48 hours
ICP residence cancellation: 2 days

Family cancellations come before all this. The family visa cancellation page covers them.

Why cancellations stall

The employee has not signed, or disputes the dues on the form.
Late fines on the work permit are unpaid.
Family visas under the employee are still active.
An absconding report sits on the file.
The wrong authority: an Abu Dhabi visa filed at GDRFA, or the reverse.

Staying on for a new job

If a new employer is lined up, you may not need to leave. The new company has 90 days from the permit cancellation to file a MOHRE transfer. Read change jobs in the UAE before the residence is cancelled. Changing to a family visa works through a status change inside the UAE.

How it works with us

Send the employee's passport copy, the residence details and the company's trade licence on WhatsApp or through the form on this page. A visa adviser checks the emirate, whether any family visas sit under the employee and whether MOHRE fines are open. You get one total price before paying, with the GDRFA or ICP fees shown on their own. The team prepares the MOHRE form for both signatures, files the residence cancellation after the extract comes through, and sends you the cancelled status from both systems. DubaiVisaDesk.com is a private visa service. MOHRE and GDRFA or ICP process and approve each step.

Government fees are not refunded by the authorities once a request is filed. If a step is rejected, your adviser has already told you in writing, before payment, which part of our total comes back, if any.

Official sources

MOHRE cancellation of work permits: conditions, commission cap, 2 working days.
GDRFA residence cancellation: fees, documents, 48 hours.
GDRFA private sector residence: 60-day grace period.
ICP residency cancellation: fees, grace periods by category, family order.
u.ae general provisions for residence: family cancelled before the sponsor.

How to cancel an employment visa in the UAE

Cancel any family visas first

Dependants sponsored by the employee go before the employee's own residence.

Cancel the work permit at MOHRE

Both sides sign the cancellation form, dues are settled and late fines paid. MOHRE gives 2 working days.

Get the MOHRE cancellation extract

GDRFA lists it as a required document for a private sector employee.

Cancel the residence

In Dubai at GDRFA online or at Amer, AED 100 plus AED 10 and AED 10, 48 hours. Other emirates through ICP.

Leave or change status in the grace period

GDRFA says 60 days. ICP sets 90 or 30 days by category. After that, AED 50 a day.

Get one total price

For cancelling an employment visa and work permit in the UAE: send the traveller's passport country, where they are now and the dates. A visa adviser replies with the right visa, the documents and one total price, fees included, before anything is filed or paid.

DubaiVisaDesk.com is a private visa service. The authorities decide every application.

Questions people ask

How long does employment visa cancellation take in Dubai?

MOHRE gives 2 working days for the work permit cancellation. GDRFA then lists 48 hours for the residence cancellation. With papers ready, plan on about four working days for both, longer if fines or dues are unpaid.

What is the employment visa cancellation fee in Dubai?

GDRFA charges AED 100 plus the AED 10 Knowledge Dirham and AED 10 Innovation Dirham for the residence. MOHRE's work permit cancellation is free online apart from federal fees, and a business centre may add up to AED 72.

Can my employer cancel my visa without my signature?

For a used work permit, MOHRE's cancellation form is signed by both parties, and the employee's signature is listed among the conditions. If you are asked to sign, read what the form says about your dues before you do.

How long can I stay in the UAE after my employment visa is cancelled?

It depends on the authority and your category. GDRFA's private sector page says 60 days. ICP says 90 days for skilled workers at levels 1 to 3 and 30 days for most other categories. Check which applies before you plan your exit.

How do I check if my employment visa is cancelled?

Check the work permit on the MOHRE inquiry service, then the residence on the GDRFA status inquiry for Dubai or ICP file validity for other emirates. The file should show as cancelled on both.

What if my company is not cancelling my visa?

The sponsor files the cancellation, so you cannot do it alone. Ask in writing and keep a copy. If the visa runs out while you are still in the UAE, overstay fines of AED 50 a day can start, so act early.

Do my family's visas have to be cancelled first?

Yes. Family permits are cancelled before the sponsor's own residence, on both the ICP and u.ae pages. If you sponsor a spouse or children, cancel theirs before your employer cancels yours.

Employment visa cancellation in the UAE