Whether you’re moving to a new country, changing jobs, or just leaving the country for an extended period, visa cancellation is a necessary part of the immigration process. In the UAE (as in many other countries), failing to cancel your visa properly can result in fines, penalties, or even travel restrictions in the future. So, how do you cancel your visa? This blog post will cover everything you need to know about the visa cancellation process, from why it’s necessary to the steps involved.
What is Visa Cancellation?
Visa cancellation is the act of a state making a previously granted visa invalid. This can be for several reasons, such as a completed contract, residency, or employment. In most cases, it is required for those no longer desiring to stay under their current visa.
Why is Visa Cancellation Important?
- Legal Compliance: Not cancelling your visa can result in fines and legal problems. Make sure your visa is cancelled before you leave to avoid overstaying.
- Clearance for Future Travel:An uncanceled visa may affect your future ability to come and go from this country. Without an official cancellation, you may find your future travel limited when seeking a visa.
- Work and Residency Changes: If you change jobs or residency status, you must get a visa cancellation before you can apply for a new visa.
- Avoid Overstay Fines: Overstaying an expired or uncanceled visa can result in fines and travel issues when exiting or re-entering.
Visa Cancellation Services From Veeserve
Who is Responsible for Visa Cancellation?
Generally, the sponsor (employer, family member or individual) is responsible for initiating the visa cancellation process. The visa holder must, however, also ensure that all conditions are fulfilled.
- For Work Visas: If you are holding a work visa, in most cases the employer has to cancel your visa on your behalf once the period of employment has ended. It is a good idea to check the status and make sure everything has been dealt with appropriately.
- For Residence Visas: If you have a residence visa, then you or your sponsor (i.e. a family member or relative) must cancel it once you choose to leave or make a change to your status.
Steps for Visa Cancellation In UAE
- Employer or Sponsor Initiates the Process:If you are sponsored by your job, your employer will typically initiate the visa cancellation by filing the appropriate paperwork with the relevant immigration agency. If your residence visa is family-sponsored, the sponsor will initiate the cancellation process.
- Clear Any Outstanding Issues: Before your visa is canceled, you must have no outstanding fines, debts, or other legal obligations related to your visa status. This may include paying your employer end-of-service benefits if applicable.
- Medical Tests and Security Clearance: In some cases, you may need to undergo medical tests or clear security issues before your visa can be canceled.
- Final Exit Visa (If Leaving the Country): If you’re leaving the country and are on a residency or work visa, you’ll have to get a final exit visa. This ensures that you can leave the country legally and that your visa is properly canceled.
- Return Your Emirates ID and Other Documents:If you’re leaving the country, you must return your Emirates ID and any other documents related to your visa, such as your residency card or work permit.
- Receive Confirmation of Cancellation: Once your visa is canceled, you will receive a confirmation document. Keep this document for your records as proof that your visa has been officially canceled.
What are the Common Challenges in the Visa Cancellation Process
- Employer Delays: Sometimes, an employer may be slow in processing or unwilling to complete the cancellation, which can cause delays in leaving the country or applying for another visa. Monitoring the process and following up with the employer if necessary is important.
- Fines and Penalties: If the cancellation is not done in time or if there is an overstay, the employer may be subject to fines. Ensuring the cancellation is completed before the visa expires is important to avoid fines.
- Exit Visa Complications: If leaving the country, complications with the final exit visa may arise due to paperwork issues or fines that must be paid prior to departure.
How Veeserve Can Assist You with Visa Cancellation?
The visa cancellation process is a long and complex one which involves several steps, and can be quite difficult to complete. It is even more challenging if you are dealing with all of the bureaucracy and paperwork involved in getting your visa cancellation processed and finalizing your departure. At Veeserve, we understand that this can be a very daunting task, and that’s why we offer expert visa services for employers and individuals to assist you with your visa cancellation.
We can:
- Walk you through each step of the cancellation process
- Ensure all paperwork is completed correctly and on time
- Assist you with final exit visas and other documents associated with your cancellation process
- Clear up outstanding fines, fines, and penalties
We understand that the process of visa cancellation can be an extremely stressful time for both the individual and the business, which is why our team of experts is dedicated to providing you with all of the assistance that you require, in order for your visa cancellation to be a quick and easy process.
Conclusion
Canceling your visa correctly when leaving the UAE is a simple yet important step to ensure that you have no pending issues or problems after you leave. Whether you are changing jobs, your residency contract has ended, or for another reason, a canceled visa is necessary to leave the country and avoid complications in the future when applying for visas. Failure to cancel your visa will result in legal and financial difficulties such as fines or rejected visa applications, and in some cases, might result in a ban from returning to the UAE. Ensure that you are in the clear by following the above steps carefully to cancel your visa correctly and remain in good legal standing in the UAE.
Veeserve would be more than happy to help you with your visa cancellation. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch at veeserve.ae.