Living in the UAE as an expat for work, education or investment requires a visa. Similarly, visa cancellation is necessary upon leaving the UAE. The best part is you can easily apply and check visa cancellation status online.
Let’s answer all your questions and explore how to check visa cancellation status in the UAE.
- Visa Cancellation Process – A Quick Overview
- Visa Cancellation Status – How to Check
- How Much Time Does the Visa Cancellation Process Take?
- Automatic Visa Cancellation
- FAQs
Visa Cancellation Process – A Quick Overview
Before moving on to checking the cancellation status, let’s have a quick overview of the visa cancellation process. Applying for cancellation is easy with online portals such as ICP and GDRFA. You can also visit your nearest typing centers. Here are the key points to note:
- The sponsor is responsible for applying for UAE residency visa cancellation.
- For a UAE investment visa, the visa holder can apply for cancellation himself.
- A visa holder must ensure visa cancellation to avoid future travel bans.
- First things first! Pay off any debts and bills, terminate tenancy contracts, and sell any assets.
- For work visa holders, make sure the employer settles salary, gratuity, and other bonuses.
- For a work visa, an employer must first apply for a labour contract and card cancellation. They can do this through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
- Documents required for visa cancellation include:
- Visa holder’s passport.
- Emirates ID.
- Sponsor’s passport (copy).
- A sponsor or applicant can apply for visa cancellation using the online and offline methods:
- Online (Using ICP website or app and GDRFA website or app).
- Offline (By visiting any nearest Amer Centres or Typing Centres).
Visa Cancellation Status – How to Check Online
When applying through ICP, GDRFA, or physical centres, applicants worry about the result of their application. There is no need to worry as Emirates has revolutionised the process to provide ultimate convenience. It is also helpful for those who leave the UAE without formally cancelling their visa.
You can check the status using your mobile phone by following some simple steps. Let’s quickly go through the process to help you check your visa status now.
- Visit the official ICP Smart Services website.
- Scroll down and Click on ‘Online Visa Status Check’.
- Check mark ‘GCC Citizen’.
- Select the type ‘Residence or Visa’.
- Fill out the passport details, such as the passport number and expiration date.
- Select your nationality.
- Check mark the captcha.
- Click on ‘Search’.
- Visa status will be visible, showing if the visa is still active, cancelled, or revoked.
How Much Time Does the Visa Cancellation Process Take?
Whether you submitted the request online or at a centre, the authority typically approves it within 48 hours. Moreover, an email notification will also be sent.
Automatic Visa Cancellation
If a person leaves the Emirates without officially cancelling their visa, the UAE government may revoke the visa. This is in the case of residency visas, where the visa holder doesn’t return to the country for six months.
If a visa holder leaves the country without cancellation, it may result in future travel restrictions. Furthermore, to enter the Emirates again and get a new visa, previous visas must be cancelled anyhow.
FAQs
Checking visa cancellation in the UAE is a quick process with the help of the ICP website. Ensure you have your passport number to quickly check the cancellation status.
The grace period after visa cancellation varies from 30 to 180 days depending on the type of visa. It is necessary to leave the country during this period to avoid penalties and future travel restrictions in the Emirates.
No, a person cannot re-enter the Emirates with a previously cancelled visa. Whether you wish to apply for a residency or an investment visa, the visa process must be followed from scratch.
A visa holder must leave the Emirates within the allowed grace period after visa expiry. Failing to do so may result in fines and legal implications. There is no fine for living in the UAE within the grace period.
However, exceeding this limit will impose an AED 50 per day overstaying fine. Adding to this is the exit permit fee for overstayers of AED 250 to AED 300.
You can legally drive in the UAE till the visa grace period ends. After that, living and driving within the Emirates is illegal.
For work visa holders, sponsors request the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation to revoke the employee’s MoHRE labour contract. After that, the sponsor will apply for the employee’s visa cancellation. Note that a person cannot apply for his visa cancellation himself, but only the sponsor can do this.
Visa cancellation fees are paid by the sponsor. In the case of a work visa, the employer pays this fee. Here are the applicable fees:
– Service Fee: AED 100
– Innovation Fee: AED 10
– Knowledge Dirham: AED 10
– Printing Fee: AED 100 (only applicable if submitted via ZAJEL Courier Centre)
Note: Fees for family members’ visa cancellation have to be paid by the employee.
Now you know how to check visa cancellation status easily with the ICP online option. Ensure to cancel your visa before leaving the country to avoid future issues.
If you need more information on visa processes in the UAE, make sure to read Property Finder blogs!
