Life in Dubai is dynamic, and sometimes plans change. Whether you’re closing a business, ending a partnership, or relocating, knowing how to properly cancel your partner visa is crucial to avoid future legal or immigration complications.
This comprehensive guide walks you through the entire partner visa cancellation process in Dubai, ensuring you stay compliant with UAE regulations.
What is a Partner Visa in Dubai?
First, let’s clarify terms. A Partner Visa (often interchangeable with Investor Visa) is a type of residency permit granted to individuals who own a stake in a UAE-based company, typically on the mainland or in a free zone. It allows them to live in the UAE and run their business.
Important Note: This is different from a spouse or family visa. This guide specifically addresses cancelling a residency visa linked to business ownership.
Why You Might Need to Cancel Your Partner Visa
People choose to cancel their partner visa for several reasons:
- Dissolving a business partnership
- Closing or selling the company
- Leaving the UAE permanently
- Switching to a different type of residency visa (e.g., an employment visa)
- The company’s trade license has been cancelled
How to Cancel a Partner Visa in Dubai
The partner visa cancellation process in Dubai is managed by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC)
The first and most critical step is obtaining a signed and stamped NOC from your business partners or the company itself. This document is your official proof that there is no objection to cancelling your visa.
Step 2: Clear All Financial and Legal Dues
Before initiating cancellation, settle all outstanding obligations:
- Pay off any personal loans or credit card debts.
- Settle all traffic fines.
- Clear any utility bills (e.g., DEWA, Etisalat/du).
- Ensure there are no pending court cases or travel bans against you.
Step 3: Cancel Your Health Insurance
Contact your insurance provider to cancel the health insurance policy linked to your visa. You will need proof of cancellation for the next steps.
Step 4: Initiate Official Cancellation with GDRFA
This is the core of the process. You or your PRO can submit the cancellation application at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). This can often be done online via the GDRFA website or app, or in person at a typing center or Amer center.
Step 5: Submit Required Documents & Pay Fees
You will need to provide the following for the partner visa cancellation in Dubai:
- Original passport and copy
- Original Emirates ID
- Copy of the current residency visa
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the company
- Company’s valid trade license copy
- Completed visa cancellation application form
You will then pay the partner visa cancellation fee in Dubai, which is typically around AED 100 – 200.
Step 6: Receive Official Cancellation Confirmation
Once processed, the GDRFA will issue an official confirmation stamp in your passport or provide an electronic notification. This is your proof that the visa has been successfully cancelled.
Step 7: Surrender Your Emirates ID
After visa cancellation, you must surrender your Emirates ID to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP). This formally deactivates it in the system.
What is the Grace Period After Visa Cancellation?
Once your partner visa is cancelled, you are typically granted a grace period of 30 days to either:
- Legally leave the UAE.
- Change your status and apply for a new residency visa.
Overstaying this grace period will result in daily fines, so it’s essential to plan your next steps accordingly.
Partner Visa Cancellation vs. Employment Visa Cancellation
Many people transitioning from employment to business ownership (or vice-versa) are unfamiliar with the differences in the cancellation process. This clear comparison helps them understand what to expect.
Partner Visa vs. Employment Visa Cancellation: Key Differences
While the overarching authority for both processes is the GDRFA, the source of sponsorship leads to key differences. Understanding these can set the right expectations.
| Aspect | Partner Visa Cancellation | Employment Visa Cancellation |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor | The company you own a stake in. | Your employer. |
| Who Provides the NOC? | Your business partner(s) or the company itself. | Your employer’s HR or PRO department. |
| Key Dependency | The company’s valid Trade License. | Your employment contract and Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE) contract. |
| Primary Reason for Cancellation | Dissolving partnership, closing company, or selling shares. | Resignation, termination, or end of contract. |
| Involvement | You are often actively involved in managing the process as a part-owner. | The process is typically managed entirely by your employer’s PRO. |
| Liability Check | Focuses on both personal dues and company liabilities with the DED. | Focuses primarily on personal dues (fines, loans) and employment obligations. |
Key Takeaway: The main difference lies in control and liability. With a partner visa, you are the sponsor and the sponsored, meaning you drive the process and are responsible for company-level clearances. With an employment visa, your employer drives the process.
What To Do After Your Visa is Cancelled: Your Next Steps
Once your visa is cancelled, you have a 30-day grace period to finalize your status. Your next steps depend on whether you are leaving the UAE or switching visas.
Option A: Leaving the UAE Permanently
Use your grace period to efficiently wrap up your affairs:
- Close Financial Accounts: Visit your bank to close accounts and settle any outstanding debts or loans.
- Settle Final Bills: Pay and close your DEWA (utilities) and Etisalat/du (phone/internet) accounts. Your visa cancellation paper may be required.
- Cancel Subscriptions & Services: Terminate car insurance, RTA parking, gym memberships, and other recurring payments.
- End Your Tenancy: Provide official notice to your landlord, settle payments, and obtain a clearance certificate.
- Arrange Shipping: Contact movers to ship your personal belongings overseas.
Option B: Switching to a New Visa
The key rule is: Avoid a “status gap.” You must not overstay your grace period.
- Ideal Scenario: Start New Visa First: Begin your new employment, investor, or freelance visa application before cancelling your old one for a seamless transition.
- If You Didn’t Start Early: Act Within Your Grace Period: If your new visa isn’t ready before cancellation, you must secure your legal status within the 30-day grace period to avoid fines. You have two main options:
- Exit & Re-enter: Perform a “visa run” by flying to a nearby country and returning on a new entry permit or tourist visa.
- Change Status In-Country: For some visa types, you can change your status without leaving the UAE. Consult your new sponsor or a PRO service to confirm the best pathway for your situation.
Common Challenges & How to Solve Them
Sometimes, the path to cancelling your partner visa isn’t smooth. Here are the most common hurdles and straightforward solutions to overcome them.
An Uncooperative Business Partner
- The Problem: Your partner refuses to sign the No Objection Certificate (NOC), blocking the entire process.
- The Solution: Don’t panic. This requires legal action. You can file a case with the Dubai Courts to get a ruling that replaces the missing NOC.
Outstanding Company Debts
- The Problem: The company has unpaid rent, loans, or DED fines, causing an automatic block on your visa cancellation.
- The Solution: Clear all company liabilities first. Check the DED portal for a clean “No Liability” certificate before you apply.
Overstay Fines Piling Up
- The Problem: Delays in the process mean your visa expires, and you start accruing daily overstay fines.
- The Solution: Start the process early! If fines do accumulate, focus on completing the cancellation immediately to stop the charges. All fines must be paid to proceed.
A Surprise Travel Ban
- The Problem: An unknown police case or travel ban (e.g., from a bank) halts your cancellation when you least expect it.
- The Solution: Be proactive. You can run a formal status check with Dubai Police (often a service we provide for clients) before you start. If a ban exists, you must resolve the underlying case legally to have it lifted.
Documents Required for Partner Visa Cancellation in Dubai
Having your documents ready speeds up the process. You will generally need:
- Passport (original and copy)
- Emirates ID (original and copy)
- Current Partner Visa Copy
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the company
- Company Trade License Copy
- Visa Cancellation Application Form
- Proof of cleared dues (if requested)
Why Choose Shuraa for Your Partner Visa Cancellation?
Navigating government procedures can be complex. A single error can lead to delays, fines, or legal issues. Shuraa Business Setup simplifies the partner visa cancellation process in Dubai.
Our expert PRO team will:
- Guide you through the entire process from start to finish.
- Review and prepare all required documents accurately.
- Liaise with GDRFA & ICP on your behalf, saving you time and hassle.
- Ensure 100% compliance with UAE immigration laws.
- Advise you on your next steps regarding the grace period and new visa applications.
Don’t leave your immigration status to chance. Let the experts handle it.
- Call us at +971 4 408 1900
- WhatsApp: +971 50 777 5554
- Email: info@shuraa.com
Partner Visa Cancellation: FAQs
1. What is the partner visa cancellation fee in Dubai?
The official government fee is generally between AED 100 and AED 200. However, if you use a PRO service, there will be additional service charges.
2. Can I cancel my partner visa online?
Yes, in many cases, the process can be initiated online through the GDRFA Dubai website or mobile app, especially if you have a UAE Pass.
3. How long does the entire cancellation process take?
If all documents are in order, the process can be completed within 2 to 5 working days.
4. What happens if I don’t cancel my partner visa and leave the UAE?
This is highly inadvisable. You will accumulate overstay fines, and you may face an entry ban in the future, preventing you from returning to the UAE.
5. Can I cancel my partner visa if my company’s trade license is already cancelled?
Yes, but the process may involve additional steps and documentation from the Department of Economic Development (DED) to prove the company has no liabilities.
Please note: The information provided here is for general guidance and may not reflect the latest UAE regulations. For definitive, current procedures and to ensure full compliance, we strongly advise verifying details with official GDRFA channels or consulting with our experts at Shuraa Business Setup.
