Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get Your UAE Visa Cancellation Paper Online

By Samantha CollinsLast Updated April 15, 2025

Understanding Visa Cancellation in the UAE

Visa cancellation is a mandatory step for expatriates planning to leave the UAE permanently or wishing to transfer their sponsorship. The cancellation process formalizes the end of your residency status and is crucial to avoid legal complications, overstaying fines, and issues with future UAE visits. The process involves coordination between the visa sponsor (either your employer or family member), relevant government authorities, and, in many cases, the individual visa holder. With the UAE’s digital transformation, much of this process can now be initiated and completed online through official government portals. This article provides a comprehensive guide, based on current regulations and verified resources, on how to get your visa cancellation paper online in the UAE.

Who Can Initiate Visa Cancellation?

The UAE strictly requires that only the sponsor can initiate and complete the visa cancellation process. If you are on an employment visa, your employer is responsible for starting the cancellation. If you are sponsored by a family member, that individual must handle the process. For domestic workers, the sponsor or employer is again the responsible party. Self-initiated cancellations are not permitted under standard circumstances, which underscores the importance of maintaining communication with your sponsor throughout the process [5] .

Documents and Prerequisites

Before your visa can be cancelled online, you or your sponsor must prepare the following documents:

Valid passport of the visa holder
Emirates ID (for most visa categories)
Visa cancellation application form (available through government portals or typing centers)
For investors/partners: Certificate of cancellation or waiver of the commercial license
For employment visas: Signed letter confirming receipt of all dues and end-of-service benefits
For domestic workers: No additional documents required, but employer must have a valid passport and ID

Additionally, all outstanding debts, fines, and obligations must be cleared before the process can proceed. It is important to return any official company or sponsor property, such as uniforms, ID cards, or equipment [1] .

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Visa Cancellation Online

The process of obtaining your visa cancellation paper online can be summarized in several major steps. Below is a detailed guide tailored for employees, family dependents, and domestic workers:

1. Employer/Sponsor Login and Application Submission

The sponsor must log in to the relevant government portal using UAE Pass, which is the national digital identity for secure access to online services.

For employment visas: The sponsor logs in to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) portal to cancel the labor contract and work permit, then proceeds to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) portal to cancel the residency visa [2] [4] .
For family/dependent visas: The family sponsor must cancel dependents’ visas before canceling their own, using the ICP website or app [4] .
For domestic workers: The employer submits a cancellation request through the MOHRE portal [3] .

2. Fill and Submit the Online Application

After logging in, the sponsor completes the online visa cancellation application, attaching all required documents. The system will prompt for uploads such as passport and Emirates ID scans. For employment visas, the system may require a signed confirmation of end-of-service benefit payments.

3. Payment of Applicable Fees

The fee for online visa cancellation typically includes:

ICP service fee: 50 AED for cancellation, plus 100 AED for electronic services (subject to change and additional charges) [4] .
For domestic workers: Fees vary by emirate, ranging from 65 AED to 185.75 AED, with a maximum typing commission of 72 AED. The service is free if you use the MOHRE website or app, excluding government fees [3] .

Payment is made online through secure payment gateways integrated into the government portals.

4. Government Review and Approval

Once the application and payment are submitted, the relevant authority reviews the documents and application for compliance. If any requirements are missing or incomplete, the sponsor will be notified to update the submission. This step usually takes 1-2 working days [4] . The applicant and sponsor will receive status updates via SMS and email.

5. Downloading the Visa Cancellation Paper

Upon approval, the visa cancellation document, also referred to as the cancellation paper, will be sent to the sponsor’s registered email address. This official PDF states that the visa has been cancelled and is required for formal record-keeping and for future immigration or employment processes. If you do not receive the document, you can log in to the respective portal and download it from your application dashboard.

Alternative Methods and Support

If you or your sponsor encounter issues with the online system, visa cancellation can also be processed at registered typing centers and Amer Centers (for Dubai). At these centers, trained staff will fill out the forms for you, collect documents, and submit the online application on your sponsor’s behalf. This is often preferred by those unfamiliar with online processes or when urgent in-person support is required [1] . Most centers charge a service fee in addition to standard government fees.

For queries or technical issues, you can:

Call the ICP support hotline: 600522222
Contact MOHRE customer service: 600590000
Visit the official ICP or MOHRE websites and use their online chat or feedback services

Common Challenges and Solutions

Some challenges applicants face include incomplete documentation, unpaid fines, or technical issues with UAE Pass. If your application is rejected, carefully review the reason provided and re-submit the necessary documents. It’s essential to start the cancellation process early to avoid overstaying penalties, which can accumulate rapidly. For cases involving special circumstances (such as death of the visa holder, medical unfitness, or absconding cases), specific documentation and steps are required. Always follow instructions provided by the relevant authority and consult official channels when in doubt [5] .

Real-World Example

Consider the case of an expatriate employee in Dubai whose employment has ended. The employer uses the MOHRE portal to cancel the work permit, confirms that all dues are paid, and then logs in to the ICP website using UAE Pass. After uploading the required documents and paying the cancellation fee, the visa cancellation is approved within two days. The employer receives an email with the cancellation paper, which is shared with the employee for their records. If the process cannot be completed online (for example, due to a system error), the employer can visit an Amer Center, where staff assist with the procedure for an additional service fee [1] .

Key Takeaways and Best Practices

Always coordinate with your sponsor throughout the process.
Use UAE Pass to access official portals securely.
Keep all documentation and communication records for future reference.
If you need the cancellation paper urgently, inform your sponsor to check their email and portal dashboard regularly.
Contact the ICP or MOHRE support hotlines if you encounter issues or have unique circumstances.