If your UAE private-sector job has ended and the employer will not cancel your work permit, you can file a labour complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) asking for the permit to be cancelled. Under Article 5 of Ministerial Resolution No. 47 of 2022, if MoHRE cannot reach the employer within five working days, it can complete the cancellation at your request, unless the employer shows you are under investigation for a work-related crime. Normally only the sponsor can cancel your residence visa, so the MoHRE step usually comes first. Stay reachable and keep working through any notice period, to reduce the risk of an absconding report.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for expatriate employees of private-sector companies registered with MoHRE who have resigned, finished their notice or reached the end of their contract, but whose work permit and residence are still active. It is also useful if a new employer is waiting to hire you.
It does not cover domestic workers, who have a separate MoHRE cancellation service, or DIFC and ADGM employees. If the real issue is unpaid dues, see our guide on filing a labour complaint after resignation.
How is a work visa normally cancelled?
| Stage | Who acts | What the official pages say |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Work permit | Employer, through MoHRE's "Cancellation of work permits and employment contracts" service | Needs the employee's signature agreeing to cancellation and acknowledging receipt of all labour dues, except for employees who are overseas and a few other cases. Two working days. |
| 2. Residence permit | The sponsor, through ICP or, in Dubai, GDRFA Dubai | GDRFA Dubai asks for MoHRE's work permit cancellation extract for private-sector employees. |
| 3. Grace period | You | A grace period starts after cancellation; its length depends on your residence category. |
The UAE Government portal says that normally only the sponsor can cancel your residence visa, and you cannot process the application yourself. ICP is the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, and GDRFA Dubai is the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai.
Article 7(3) of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 also lists, among cancellation steps, payment of any fines for late issue or renewal of the work permit and the establishment's declaration that the worker received their dues. A dispute over dues or unpaid permit fines can therefore hold things up.
Why it matters if the permit stays open
- New job. MoHRE's work permit transfer service says the candidate may not hold an active work permit.
- Residence. Your residence stays linked to the old employer until it is cancelled.
- Family. ICP says family members sponsored by you must have their permits cancelled before yours, or put on hold for a limited period with fees.
Can I ask MoHRE to cancel without the employer?
Yes, through a labour complaint. MoHRE's complaint service says that if settlement fails, the complaint goes to court or "the work permit may be canceled as required by the claim". It lists no fee. Article 5 of Ministerial Resolution No. 47 of 2022 (unofficial English translation on the UAE Government portal) sets the rules:
| Situation | What MoHRE does |
|---|---|
| Employer cannot be reached within 5 working days of your complaint | Cancellation is completed at your request |
| Employer asks for more time | One extra period of 5 working days, then cancellation, unless the employer shows you are under investigation for a crime related to your work |
| Establishment is fictitious | Cancellation goes ahead, and legal action is taken against the worker and the employer |
| Late permit fines | Moved to the establishment's file |
| After cancellation | You must change your residence status within the set period |
MoHRE may postpone a decision while a labour case is in court if the employer says you left during probation without any breach by the employer, if an absence report against you is found accurate, or if you did not meet your contract obligations (Article 5(2)). The translation dates from 2022, so confirm the current procedure with MoHRE.
If your dispute has been referred to court, MoHRE has a separate "Cancellation of work permit for an employee with a labour court case" service that the employee can use. Article 3 of the same resolution also requires a worker to ask for cancellation within 14 days of a final judgment if the job has ended.
What about the residence? ICP's residence cancellation page lists an "exceptional cancellation" (AED 100 fee) for exceptional circumstances "such as the presence of disputes". The page does not say who may apply. Ask ICP on 600522222 whether it applies to you.
Absconding reports, passports and leaving the UAE
- Absconding reports. An employer can file an absence report if you are absent more than seven consecutive days and cannot be contacted. Stay reachable and keep proof of your resignation and notice. See our guide on absconding reports.
- Your passport. Article 13(2) of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 says the employer must not keep your official documents or force you to leave the UAE when the job ends. See our guide on an employer holding your passport.
- Leaving with the visa open. The UAE Government portal says, as a general rule, a residence visa is nullified automatically if you stay outside the UAE for more than six months. It does not say what happens to the MoHRE work permit, so ask MoHRE before relying on this.
Step by step
- Confirm your last working day. Keep your resignation or termination letter and notice dates.
- Ask in writing. Email HR asking them to start the MoHRE cancellation by a date.
- Check the settlement before signing. The cancellation signature confirms receipt of all dues.
- Stay reachable. Answer calls and emails so no absence report can be justified.
- Get free advice. Call MoHRE's Labour Claims and Advisory Call Centre on 80084.
- File a MoHRE complaint. Use the MoHRE website or app, and ask for the work permit to be cancelled. The service page lists 600590000 for help.
- Track the five working days. Note the complaint date and any reply from the employer.
- Follow up on the residence. Once the permit is cancelled, check your residence status in the ICP or GDRFA app.
- Plan your grace period. See our guide on overstay fines and grace periods.
Documents checklist
- Resignation or termination letter, with proof of delivery
- Employment contract
- Your written requests to HR and any replies
- Payslips, bank statements and the settlement sheet
- Passport, Emirates ID and residence details
- New job offer, if you have one
- MoHRE complaint reference and text messages
Common mistakes
- Stopping all contact. Silence can support an absence report.
- Signing "all dues received" just to get cancelled. Complain instead if dues are unpaid.
- Starting a new job before the old permit is cancelled. A transfer permit needs no active work permit.
- Paying the old employer's permit fines. Under Article 5 of the resolution, they go to the establishment's file when MoHRE cancels on your complaint.
- Missing the grace period after cancellation. Overstay fines start once it ends.
When to speak to a licensed lawyer
Many stalled cancellations are resolved through a MoHRE complaint. Advice may help if the employer alleges a crime or files an absence report, if your passport is being withheld, if a court case is running, or if your family's visas are affected. The free case check can help you set out the facts first, and CaseDaleel can introduce an independent licensed professional only if you choose.
Frequently asked questions
What can I do if my employer will not cancel my visa?
File a MoHRE labour complaint asking for the work permit to be cancelled, after asking the employer in writing.
Can I cancel my own work visa in the UAE?
The UAE Government portal says normally only the sponsor can cancel a residence visa, but MoHRE can cancel the work permit on your complaint.
How long does MoHRE take?
Ministerial Resolution No. 47 of 2022 allows cancellation if the employer cannot be reached within five working days, or ten if the employer asks for more time.
Can my employer refuse to cancel because I resigned?
Resignation with proper notice ends the contract, and a refusal can be raised through a MoHRE complaint.
Can my employer file an absconding report instead?
Only for absence of more than seven consecutive days when you cannot be contacted, so stay reachable and keep records.
Can I join a new employer before cancellation?
MoHRE's transfer service says the candidate may not hold an active work permit.
Who pays fines for an expired work permit?
When MoHRE cancels on your complaint, Article 5 of the resolution moves them to the establishment's file.
Official sources
- MoHRE — Cancellation of work permits and employment contracts
- MoHRE — Register labour complaints (private sector employees)
- MoHRE — Transfer work permit
- UAE Government portal — Ministerial Resolution No. 47 of 2022 (unofficial English translation, PDF)
- UAE Government portal — General provisions for the residence visa
- ICP — Cancellation of residency permits
- GDRFA Dubai — Cancellation of all types of residence permits
General information, not legal advice. CaseDaleel is not a law firm.