1. Introduction
In Dubai, visa cancellation typically requires a sponsor to be available with you. Whether you're an employee, a visitor, or a dependant, you need a sponsor to cancel your visa in any emirate of the United Arab Emirates. However, if your sponsor is not available or has run away, gone missing, or left the country, canceling your visa becomes a complicated and stressful process. If you're new to UAE or unfamiliar with the rules and regulations, this situation can become particularly painful.
When such a condition occurs, many people wonder how they can cancel their visa legally, clear their status, and exit Dubai without their sponsor's help. I personally experienced this issue when my sponsor left the country and I was left wandering here and there. I had to cancel my visa to get a new visa with my new company, but my sponsor ran away without giving me any notice.
In this complete guide, I will cover the step-by-step process with my own personal experience and the updated 2025 rules of the UAE government. This guide will help you in canceling your visa without needing a sponsor legally and smoothly.
2. Who is Sponsor or Arbab in Dubai
A sponsor, also called an Arbab, is a person who has a company in the emirate of Dubai or any other and provides you with a visa with all legal requirements. The sponsor is the person who gives you a job, applies for your visa, medical, health insurance, and in some cases food and accommodation. The sponsor or Arbab is responsible for all legal requirements of his/her employee.
3. What Does "Cancel Dubai Visa Without Sponsor" Mean?
Normally, if you want to cancel your visa, you need a sponsor with you because it is a legal requirement by the UAE government. Your sponsor approves and initiates the cancellation process with your consent. Without your sponsor's consent, the process becomes painful and challenging.
However, I have seen many cases where the sponsor is not available or absent. Either they abscond, leave the country, the sponsorship relationship ends, or they don't renew their license. If such a case happens to you, you must find an easy way to protect your legal rights in the country. This guide is made for those whose sponsor or Arbab is not in the emirates and they want to cancel their visa either to exit Dubai or change companies.
4. UAE Government Policies & Legal Framework For Visa Cancellation
UAE immigration and labor law clearly state that visa cancellation is sponsor-based only. But in recent years, the government has provided some flexibility to workers in the emirates, especially in cases where the sponsor is missing or has run away from the country or is not canceling the employee visa without any legal reason.
According to the Federal Decree Law No. 6 of 1973 and recent immigration regulations by the UAE government, if your sponsor is not available in the country, you can directly contact the General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs (commonly called GDRFA). Alternatively, you can go to government-authorized typing centers in Dubai to assist you in the visa cancellation process.
You will need to provide additional documents which prove that your sponsor is not available in the country and you need to cancel your visa for changing jobs or leaving the country.
5. Step-By-Step Process To Cancel Dubai Visa Without Sponsor
Let's cover it step by step with easy and simple methods through which you can cancel your visa without a sponsor available. I faced this issue myself and I will explain in a step-by-step guide how you can do the same and cancel your visa.
Step 1: Prepare Required Documents
In the first step, you need to have these documents for starting the process. You need to have the following legal documents:
- Original passport issued from your country or its copy
- Emirates ID original provided during previous visa
- Current Visa copy
- If possible, police certificate for absconding of your employer
The police certificate is critical proof that your sponsor is not reachable, has left the country, is missing, or any other case. This strengthens your case in the independent visa cancellation process without a sponsor.
Step 2: Call The UAE Labor Department
- When you have gathered all necessary documents, the next step is to call the labor department of UAE
- This step is crucial and the first step because you need to cancel from the labor department first
- Dial 80084 from the dial pad of your mobile phone
- The local person will pick up your call
- You need to be responsive, talk with courage, and be patient
- Explain the whole scenario to the department
- Register your complaint carefully
- They will ask you for an active mobile number, email, and your sponsor's mobile number which is mentioned in your contract
- After you explain to them, they will ask you whether you want to cancel the visa for going to your home country or want to change companies or jobs
- At the end, they will tell you that they will contact your employer and let you know
Step 3: Cancellation From Labor Department
- After 2 to 3 days, they will call you back and ask the same information about whether you want to cancel or not
- You need to repeat the same information as in the 2nd step
- After that, within 24 hours they will send you a cancellation image copy through a link in the shape of a message
- That's it - you have been canceled from the labor department. Let's move to the next step
Image credit: Amazon Attestation & Document Clearing Services
Step 4: Cancellation From Immigration Department
- When you're canceled from the labor department, the next step is easy and simple
- Download or print your cancellation paper from the link given in the message
- Gather your passport, visa copy, and Emirates ID
- Visit the nearest Amer Center or Tasheel Center in your area
- Get a ticket from the reception or ticket counter
- Wait for your turn
- They will call your number. Go to the concerned person
- Give your labor cancellation paper
- Give your Emirates ID
- They will ask you to put your thumb on paper for verification
- They will send you to the cashier to pay a fee which may range from 120 to 200 AED
- Pay the fees, collect the paper and go back home
- Within 24 hours you will receive an email from MOHRE that your immigration has been canceled
- Now you're free to go. They will give you some time period which is called grace period and it will be mentioned in your labor cancellation paper
6. Visa Cancellation Fees
There are no fees for labor cancellation if you call the Ministry of Labor. But in the case of immigration cancellation, you need to pay a fee of almost 120 AED to above 200 AED in some cases. It depends on the center and also on your visa type.
7. What is Grace Period?
Grace period is a limited time which is given to employees whose visa is canceled in any of the emirates. In most cases, there is usually a 28-day grace period but in some cases, it may be more than that. This period is to get another job or leave the country in a legal way within the time period.
8. What to Do After Visa is Canceled?
Now your visa is canceled from both the labor and immigration departments. You're thinking about what to do next. After the visa is canceled, you get a grace period which is actually 28 days in most cases, but you can get more - it's not necessary to be exactly this duration. Now you need to apply for another visa within the grace period or need to exit the country before the grace period ends.
9. What if Sponsor Has Absconded You?
In a case where the sponsor is available in the emirate and has absconded you without any reason or agreement, what can you do in that case? If your sponsor has absconded you or cannot be contacted anymore, file an additional complaint at the police station. Report the issue of the sponsor's absence. This police report serves as critical legal proof for you when you submit your application.
Submitting this police report ensures that your case has been reviewed with special considerations, especially when your sponsor is not cooperating or not available.
10. Common Challenges & Risks
Canceling your visa without your sponsor becomes tricky and difficult as immigration authorities require valid and strong proof and patience. Some common challenges may include:
- Delay in cancellation approval from Ministry of Labor (MOL)
- Request for additional documents in some cases
- Potential rejections which require legal appeals
- Fines or penalties for overstaying if cancellation process is delayed
To avoid these situations, it is essential to follow the correct legal procedures and maintain patience throughout the process.
11. Alternative Solutions If Process Becomes Tricky
If you're not sure about the process or feel overwhelmed, you can hire a PRO (Public Relations Officer) service in Dubai. A PRO will handle all paperwork, follow-ups, and legal processes on your behalf. Although it's a paid service, it can save you time and reduce stress.
Authorized typing centers by the government can also properly assist you in preparing all necessary documents and the cancellation process.
12. Which Method to Choose & Why - My Personal Opinion
As I experienced the same issue, I can tell you better which is the best method to choose. If you're educated to some extent and can speak and understand English well, then go with the first process I mentioned in the step-by-step guide above. But if you're not sure and want to take no risk, you can hire a PRO or contact government-authorized typing centers. My personal advice is to go with the 1st process as it is cheap, cost-effective, and easy.
13. Final Thoughts
Canceling your UAE visa without a sponsor may become tricky and painful for some individuals. But due to the flexibility in the law approved by the government, the process has become easier now. As UAE is expanding in technology day by day, I hope this guide covers it all. If you have any questions, feel free to ask through the WhatsApp group or my email given here. If you like the post, kindly do share it with friends and family as sharing is caring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can cancel your Dubai visa without a sponsor in special circumstances where the sponsor is unavailable, has absconded, or left the country. You'll need to follow the proper legal procedures through the Ministry of Labor and GDRFA, providing necessary documentation like police reports to prove your sponsor's unavailability.
Yes, partner visas can also be canceled without the sponsor in similar circumstances. The process involves contacting the GDRFA directly and providing evidence of the sponsor's unavailability. You may need additional documents like marriage certificates and proof of relationship.
As of 2025, the UAE government has introduced more flexibility in visa cancellation procedures. The new rules allow individuals to cancel visas without direct sponsor involvement in cases of sponsor unavailability, provided proper documentation is submitted. There's also an extended grace period in some cases.
Labor cancellation through the Ministry of Labor is free if you follow the official process. Immigration cancellation fees typically range between 120 AED to 200 AED depending on the service center and visa type. Additional fees may apply if you use typing centers or PRO services.
If your employer refuses to cancel your visa without valid reason, you can file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). With proper documentation and following the procedures outlined in this guide, you can proceed with cancellation even without employer cooperation.
Yes, a visa can be canceled after approval, but the process and requirements differ depending on how recently it was approved. Newly approved visas may have different cancellation procedures and potential fees. It's best to consult with GDRFA or authorized typing centers for specific cases.
Typically, you get a 28-day grace period after visa cancellation to either leave the country or change your status. However, this can vary based on your visa type and circumstances. The exact duration will be mentioned in your cancellation documents.
