UAE Digital Government issues advisory for expats on residence visa cancellation

UAE Digital Government issues advisory for expats on residence visa cancellation

Expats relocating to another country must also cancel the UAE visa of residents whom they have sponsored, such as family members.

The UAE Digital Government, through its website, states: “If you a have a [UAE] residence visa sponsored either by a family member or by your employer, and you decide to leave the country permanently, your residence visa must be cancelled officially.”

The website points out: “Normally, only the sponsor can cancel your residence visa. You cannot process the application on your own.”

If a company decides to cancel an employment visa of its employee, it must first approach Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) with an application to cancel the employee’s labour contract and labour card. The employee must also sign this application. Then, the employer should apply to ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security) for visa cancellation.

The company must also cancel the work permit. For this, it must submit a letter to MoHRE signed by the employee stating that he or she has already received all the dues, wages and end of services benefits from the employer.

Individuals sponsoring their spouse, children and other dependents must cancel their dependents’ visas before they