Cancelling an employment visa is a formal procedure with a strict order: labour first, then immigration. PRO Deskk handles both routes — inside country and outside country — so neither the company nor the employee is left out of status.
Before you cancel
A cancellation is where unresolved obligations surface. These six are settled before anything is filed — which protects the company as much as the employee.
Labour is cancelled before immigration, always. The MOHRE file must be in a state that allows the cancellation to be filed, and the labour receipt is what unlocks the immigration step.
The reason for the exit determines the paperwork, the notice obligations, and in some cases whether a labour ban applies. It needs to be documented before anything is filed.
Notice is a contractual obligation on both sides. Cancelling before it is properly served or bought out leaves an exposure that surfaces after the employee has gone.
Final settlement comes before signature. The employee should not sign the cancellation paperwork until their dues are received — and the company should not file until settlement is documented.
A cancellation file is small but exact. A missing original or an unsigned form sends the whole submission back.
Cancellation starts a clock for the employee. Knowing the windows protects both sides from fines that nobody budgeted for.
Route 01
Cancelling an employment visa inside Dubai mainland involves several steps. This process is generally initiated when an employee is leaving the company, resigning, or if the employment relationship is terminated for any reason. Here’s a detailed overview of the steps.
How it works
Ensure that the resignation or termination is officially communicated and documented. If resigning, provide notice as required by your employment contract. If terminated by the employer, ensure that all legal and contractual obligations are met.
Settlement of Dues: complete all financial settlements, including any pending salary, end-of-service benefits, or other compensations as per UAE labor law.
No Objection Certificate (NOC): sometimes required for the cancellation process. Employment Visa Original: collect the employee’s original employment visa. Passport: ensure the employee’s passport is valid.
Labor Card / Work Permit: the company must cancel the labor card, also known as a work permit, through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). GDRFA Application: submit all required documents, including the cancellation application form, passport copies, and any supporting documents, to the GDRFA. Processing Time: the processing time for visa cancellation usually takes a few days.
Receive Cancellation Confirmation: once the visa is canceled, you will receive confirmation from the GDRFA. Documentation: ensure all related documentation, including the canceled visa and any other relevant papers, are kept for records.
Government fees
Government fees for Employment Visa Cancellation Services where the employee is inside the UAE, shown at cost.
Depending on whether the file is submitted through GDRFA or AMER. We confirm the exact figure applicable on the day of filing.
Fees are set by MOHRE and GDRFA and are reviewed periodically. We send an itemised written breakdown showing government cost at cost and our fee separately, before any payment is made.
Route 02
Cancelling an employment visa for a Dubai mainland company when the employee has been outside the UAE for more than 6 months involves a slightly different process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to handle this situation.
How it works
Employee Departure: ensure that the employee has left the UAE and is currently residing outside the country for more than 6 months. Communication: the company should communicate with the employee to confirm their status and discuss the visa cancellation process.
Employment Visa: collect the employee’s original employment visa if available. Passport Copies: ensure you have copies of the employee’s passport. No Objection Certificate (NOC): this might be needed, depending on the situation.
GDRFA Application: submit the visa cancellation application to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). Labour Card / Work Permit: the company needs to cancel the labor card, or work permit, through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). This is generally done online via the MOHRE portal or Tasheel.
Government fees
Government fees for Employment Visa Cancellation Services where the employee has been outside the UAE for more than 6 months.
Depending on whether the file is submitted through GDRFA or AMER. A travel report is required to evidence the employee’s absence.
Fees are set by MOHRE and GDRFA and are reviewed periodically. We send an itemised written breakdown showing government cost at cost and our fee separately, before any payment is made.
Benefits
Three things that keep a cancellation clean, from our own filing experience.
Regularly follow up on the status of the cancellation to ensure all procedures are completed timely. We track the file to confirmation rather than filing and hoping.
Ensure all processes comply with UAE labor laws and immigration regulations to avoid any legal issues. Filing out of sequence is the most common cause of a rejected cancellation.
For complex cases, or if you need assistance, consult a Public Relations Officer (PRO) or an immigration specialist familiar with Dubai’s procedures. This process ensures that all legal obligations are met, and that the employee’s visa status is appropriately managed.
Start the process
Gather these 24 items and we can open the file the same day. Tap any line to tick it off as you collect it.
FAQs
Labour first, then immigration. The labour card or work permit is cancelled through MOHRE, and the labour cancellation receipt is attached when the immigration cancellation is submitted to GDRFA. Filing out of sequence is the most common reason a cancellation is rejected.
Processing at GDRFA usually takes a few days once the labour cancellation is complete and the documents are in order.
If they have been outside the country for more than 6 months, the outside country route applies. A travel report at 272.50 AED is required to evidence the absence, and the visa cancellation fee is higher at 222.50 AED through GDRFA.
No. The final settlement, including any pending salary and end-of-service benefits, should be complete before the employee signs the cancellation paperwork.
Sometimes, depending on the circumstances of the departure. We confirm whether one is needed for your specific case before the file is submitted.
Yes. We cancel employment visas across Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi mainland, and across the free zones including IFZA, Meydan, DMCC, DSO, DIFC, DAFZA, JAFZA, TECOM, SHAMS, SRTIP, ADGM and RAKEZ.
Get in touch
Business setup, visas, PRO services or Golden Visa — send us the details and a consultant will come back with a clear plan and a full cost breakdown.
