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Visa Cancel Fees in UAE 2026: Complete Guide for All Visa Types

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Visa Cancel Fees in UAE 2026: Complete Guide for All Visa Types

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Visa cancellation fees in the UAE typically range from AED 100 to AED 1,500. The cost depends on the visa type, its duration, and the processing method used. Applicants may also pay extra charges for service providers, document attestation, or expedited processing. Knowing the visa cancel fees in advance helps travelers, residents, and employers plan cancellations efficiently and avoid unexpected costs.

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) handle visa cancellations across all emirates. They follow UAE immigration rules and collect all fees directly to ensure compliance.

For any visa type, knowing the cancellation process and fees helps prevent delays and ensures compliance with UAE rules. It also ensures full compliance with UAE regulations.

Visa Cancel Fees Breakdown by Visa Type

Visa cancellation fees in the UAE vary by visa type, duration, and processing method. Extra services, like agency processing or document attestation, can further increase the total cost.

The table below provides a detailed overview of common UAE visa cancel fees:

Visa TypeDurationEntryApprox. Cancellation Fee (AED)
Tourist Visa  30–90 days Single-entry 100–300
Family Visit Visa 30–90 days Single / Multiple 150–500
Work / Employment Visa 1–2 years Single-entry 500–1,000
Student Visa 1–3 years Single-entry 200–500
Investor Visa  1–3 years Multiple-entry 500–1,500
Retirement Visa 5 years Multiple-entry 700–1,500
Remote / Virtual Work Visa 1 year Single-entry 800–1,500
Medical Treatment Visa 90 days Single-entry 200–500
Transit Visa  48–96 hours Single-entry 100–150
Travel Visa  30–90 days Single / Multiple 200–500
Golden Visa  5–10 years Multiple-entry 1,000–2,500
Free Zone Visa Dubai  1–2 years Single-entry 600–1,200

Note: Fees are approximate and may vary by emirate or nationality. Service provider fees, expedited processing charges, and document attestation costs can increase the total amount.

Additional Costs of Visa Cancellation in UAE

The official visa cancellation charges form the base cost, but several extra charges can increase the total amount. Travelers, residents, and employers should consider these additional costs when planning cancellations:

  1. Service or Processing Fees: Many applicants use travel agencies or visa service providers to handle paperwork. These providers charge convenience fees ranging from AED 100 – AED 500, depending on the visa type and urgency.
  2. Document Attestation and Translation: Some cancellations require notarized or attested documents. Certain visas may also require documents to be translated into Arabic. Fees typically range from AED 100 – AED 1,000 per document.
  3. Expedited Processing Fees: Applicants needing faster cancellations can request priority or express processing. This service reduces waiting time to 24–48 hours and may cost AED 200 – AED 1,000, depending on the visa type and urgency.
  4. Insurance Clearance: Some long-term visa cancellations require updated health insurance clearance. Fees vary by plan and duration, typically ranging from AED 300 – AED 2,000.

Being aware of these extra costs helps applicants budget accurately and avoid surprises during the cancellation process.

Note: Visa cancellation fees are not always charged by ICP or GDRFA. Many visit and tourist visas do not carry a government cancellation fee and only involve service or processing charges. For employment visas, the employer usually bears the visa cancellation costs under UAE labor regulations.

How to Pay Visa Cancel Fees in the UAE: Step-by-Step Process

Paying visa cancellation fees in the UAE is a regulated procedure. Sponsors and visa holders must complete it through official immigration authorities. Remember that the exact process may differ based on the emirate and visa category, but the main steps remain consistent nationwide.

1. Initiate the Visa Cancellation Request

  • The sponsor (employer, family sponsor, or visa holder) must submit the cancellation request
  • Apply through ICP Smart Services (for most emirates) or GDRFA Dubai (for Dubai visas)
  • For employment visas:
    • Mainland visas require cancellation through MOHRE and immigration
    • Free Zone visas require approval from the respective Free Zone Authority
  • Select the correct visa category to avoid rejection or processing delays

2. Submit the Required Documents

  • Passport copy of the visa holder
  • Emirates ID (if issued)
  • Visa copy (residence or visit visa)
  • Sponsor’s Emirates ID or company trade license
  • Exit ticket (required in some cases)

3. Pay the Visa Cancellation Fee

  • Pay online through the ICP  or GDRFA portal, or
  • Pay at an authorized typing center or PRO service
  • Applicants can pay using a debit card, credit card, or cash at service centers
  • Additional service charges may apply if a third-party agent processes the request

4. Receive Visa Cancellation Confirmation

  • Download or collect the official visa cancellation confirmation
  • Check that the visa status shows “Cancelled” in the immigration system
  • Emirates ID is automatically deactivated after cancellation
  • Keep a copy of the confirmation for travel or future visa applications

5. Exit the UAE or Change Visa Status

  • Exit the UAE within the grace period provided by immigration, or
  • Apply for a new visa or legal status change
  • Clear any overstay fines separately if applicable
  • Avoid overstaying to prevent daily fines, travel bans, or blacklisting

Read more: How to Check UAE Visa Status?

Example: Ahmed resigned from his job in Dubai after completing his contract. His employer submitted a visa cancellation request through the GDRFA portal and paid the applicable cancellation fee. The cancellation was approved within one working day. Immigration authorities then granted Ahmed a grace period to exit the UAE or transfer to a new employer under a fresh work visa.

SafeLedger provides professional visa cancellation services across the UAE, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Free Zones. Our experts manage documents, payments, and tracking to ensure fast, compliant visa cancellation without delays or penalties. Contact us today!

Additional guide: New Visit Visa Rules in UAE

How to Avoid Extra Costs on UAE Visa Cancellation?

Applicants can avoid extra fees during UAE visa cancellation by taking timely action. Small delays or documentation errors can lead to overstay fines and higher service charges.

The points below explain how to reduce unnecessary expenses and complete the process efficiently:

  • Cancel the Visa as soon as Your Status Changes: Start the visa cancellation process immediately after a job ends or your residency status changes. Early cancellation prevents overstay fines and avoids urgent processing fees charged by service providers when applications are delayed.
  • Exit the UAE or Change Status Within the Grace Period: Track your grace period carefully after visa cancellation. Leaving the UAE or applying for a new visa within this period helps you avoid daily fines, immigration violations, and future travel restrictions. Overstaying usually results in fines starting from AED 50 per day, depending on visa type.
  • Use Only Official Portals or Authorized Centers: Apply through ICP Smart Services or the GDRFA Dubai portal whenever possible. Licensed typing centers and approved PRO services reduce the risk of incorrect submissions and inflated processing fees. For work visas, sponsors must also complete labour cancellation through MOHRE or the relevant Free Zone Authority before immigration cancellation.
  • Verify All Documents: Check passport, visa, and sponsor details carefully to avoid delays or extra fees.
  • Keep Proof of Visa Cancellation: Always save the official cancellation confirmation issued by immigration authorities. This document provides legal proof of compliance and helps resolve disputes or future visa-related issues.
  • Clear Pending Fines Early: Check and settle any unpaid fines before cancellation, as overstay penalties are not removed automatically.

Applicants who plan to stay longer should calculate the cost of a Tourist Visa Extension in Dubai.

By acting early and using official channels, applicants can complete UAE visa cancellation smoothly with SafeLedger’s support. Fill the form now!

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, visa cancellation fees can differ slightly between Dubai and other emirates. Dubai visas fall under GDRFA Dubai, while other emirates use ICP systems. Each authority sets its own service charges and processing fees. While government base fees remain similar, typing center charges and express service costs may vary by emirate. Applicants should always check the authority that issued their visa before estimating total costs.

Golden Visa cancellation fees are generally higher because these visas involve long-term residency, special approvals, and multiple-entry privileges. Authorities must update several systems, including Emirates ID and residency records. Applicants usually pay higher administrative and service fees compared to standard work or family visas. The process also requires sponsor verification and document clearance, which increases the overall cancellation cost.

Yes, Free Zone employment visas involve two authorities: the Free Zone Authority and immigration. The Free Zone must first cancel the work permit before GDRFA or ICP cancels the residence visa. This dual approval process often adds service fees charged by the Free Zone authority. As a result, Free Zone visa cancellations usually cost more than mainland employment visa cancellations.

Yes, you can cancel your UAE visa without leaving the country if you plan to change status to a new visa. Immigration allows in-country status changes for employment, investor, and family visas. However, you must complete the cancellation first and apply for the new visa within the grace period. Authorities may charge a status change fee instead of exit and re-entry costs.

No, visa cancellation does not remove overstay fines automatically. Immigration calculates overstay penalties separately based on the number of days exceeded after visa expiry or cancellation. Applicants must pay these fines before final exit or status change. Ignoring fines can lead to blocked applications, airport clearance issues, and possible travel restrictions. Always clear fines before completing cancellation.

For employment visas, the employer usually pays the visa cancellation fee, especially when the contract ends normally. UAE labor rules require employers to handle cancellation costs. However, if an employee resigns early or violates contract terms, the employer may recover some costs contractually. Tourist, visit, and family visa holders normally pay their own cancellation fees.

No, UAE immigration does not refund unused visa validity after cancellation. Authorities treat visa fees as non-refundable once the visa is issued. Even if you cancel early, you must still pay the full cancellation fee. Service charges paid to typing centers or agents also remain non-refundable. Applicants should consider this policy when deciding the timing of cancellation.

Visa cancellation usually takes between a few hours and two working days, depending on visa type and authority. Tourist and visit visas often cancel on the same day. Employment and long-term visas may take longer due to labor clearance and Emirates ID updates. Express processing can reduce waiting time but increase service charges. Delays mainly occur when documents are missing.

Some long-term visas, including work and family residence visas, require health insurance cancellation or clearance. Authorities may request proof that insurance coverage ended or transferred. If insurance remains active, providers may continue charging premiums. Clearing insurance before visa cancellation prevents future billing issues and avoids disputes with insurers or sponsors after residency termination.

Leaving the UAE without cancelling your visa can create serious legal and financial problems. Immigration still considers the visa active, and fines may continue accumulating. Employers or sponsors may face penalties, and your future visa applications could face rejection. Authorities may also flag your record for absconding or overstaying. Always cancel your visa officially before departure.

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Joel Dsouza

About the Author

Joel Dsouza

Joel Dsouza is a Chartered Accountant and compliance specialist with extensive experience advising over 1,000 startups and SMEs on company registration, tax structuring, and regulatory compliance. As a member of ICAI and Co-Founder of Safe Ledger, Joel combines his deep financial expertise with a global perspective to help entrepreneurs navigate complex business environments. Focused on the UAE market, he is dedicated to empowering international and local business owners with clear, practical guidance on company setup, tax optimization, and ongoing compliance making him a trusted advisor for businesses aiming to succeed in the dynamic UAE economy.

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