Living in most countries of the world as an expat requires a visa, and the UAE is no exception. Whether you’re in the UAE for work, school, or have investments, you must have the right documentation.
When all activities in the UAE have been concluded and you wish to leave, a visa cancellation is required. What’s great about the UAE is that everything is easy and residents can simply apply for visa cancellations or check visa cancellation status online.
If you’re in any of the emirates within the UAE and don’t know how to go about the visa cancellation process, or how to check the visa cancellation status, we’re here to assist you. Come, let’s explore the relevant details on how you can check visa cancellation status online.
The Visa Cancellation Process: “Need to Knows”
Before we address how you can do a quick visa cancellation check in the UAE, let’s briefly discuss the visa cancellation process.
Individuals in the UAE can easily apply for visa cancellation online through the GDRFA and ICP portals or at a nearby typing center.
When looking into the visa cancellation process in the UAE, here are key things to note:
If you’re a sponsor, you’d need to apply for the UAE residency visa cancellation yourself.
To avoid future travel bans, all visa holders must ensure visa cancellation before their departure.
For UAE investment visas, the holder can apply to cancel the visa by themselves.
It’s important to pay off any pending bills or debts, terminate tenancy contracts, or sell any assets.
If you’re on a work visa, make sure to get your salary, bonuses, and other benefits from your employer.
For work visas, an employer must first apply for termination of labor contracts and card cancellation. This can be done at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
Required documents for visa cancellation:
- Emirates ID
- Passport of Visa Holder
- Copy of Sponsor’s Passport
Visa holders or sponsors can apply to get visas cancelled through physical and online channels:
- Online cancellation (Through the GDRFA or ICP apps and websites)
- Physical cancellation (Using any nearby Typing or Amer Centers)
How to Check Visa Cancellation Status in the UAE
After applying for cancellation, whether through ICP, GDRFA or physical centers, applicants often are in doubt about the status of their visa cancellation. There’s nothing to worry about, as the UAE has revolutionized the process of visa cancellation.
Applicants can know their ICP or GDRFA visa cancellation status using mobile devices via some simple steps. Here’s how you can check UAE visa cancellation status online by passport numbers:
- Go to the official ICP Smart Services website
- Select “Online Visa Status Check” from the menu
- Pick “GCC Citizen”
- Select the option that applies: “Residence or Visa”
- Enter your passport details (Passport number and expiration date)
- Select nationality
- Click on the search option
- Visa status will be displayed, showing if the visa has been cancelled, revoked, or still active.
How Long Does it Take to Process a Visa Cancellation?
Whether you applied for a cancellation at a physical center or online using the ICP or GDRFA apps or websites, approvals usually happen within 48 hours. Applicants are often sent a cancellation email but they can use the ICP or GDRFA apps or websites for a visa cancellation status check in the UAE.
Automatic Visa Cancellation in the UAE
Leaving the UAE without officially cancelling your visa may result in the government of the UAE revoking the visa. This mainly applies to residency visas where holders do not return to the country after six months away.
When a visa holder leaves the UAE without cancellation, this may cause future travel restrictions. Regardless, to enter the emirates or obtain a new visa, previous visas must be cancelled.
Visa cancellation status is easy to confirm in the UAE and visa holders can follow the above listed steps to complete checks. Make sure to always confirm your visa cancellation status before departing the UAE to prevent future travel restrictions or visa denials.
After visa cancellation, visa holders are expected to leave the UAE within the grace period, which can vary between 30 to 180 days depending on the visa type. Staying beyond the grace period attracts a daily penalty fee and an exit permit fee for overstayers.
Finally, it’s important to note that visa cancellation attracts fees that are either paid by sponsors or employers in the case of a work visa. Residents can easily check their visa cancellation status online through the ICP portal.
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