Expatriates Granted Longer Grace Period To Exit Country After Visa Cancellation

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a new grace period for expatriates to leave the country after the cancellation of their residency visa.

As the country continues to reform its entry and residency visa scheme, the previous 30 day-grace period after permit cancellation has now been extended to 60 to 180 days, depending on the visa category.

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) has confirmed that the extension is already in effect. An employee of the agency also confirmed to Khaleej Times a client whose visa had been cancelled earlier was able to enjoy the longer grace period recently.

"The new visa grace period was applied on a visa that we cancelled recently," said Aliyyu Shahul Hameed. "A skilled professional got a grace period of 180 days to exit the country."

Hameed also said the extended grace period will be beneficial to a lot of expatriates in the UAE.

"Even if they lose a job, the grace period allows them enough time to get back on their feet and look for another," he said.

The ICP said the length of the new grace period is dependent on the visa type. Typing center agents said those who can enjoy the 180-day grace period are Golden Visa holders and their family members, Green Visa holders and their family members, widows and divorcees, students who have completed their studies, and skilled professionals (first and second level in the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization classification).

Skilled professionals (third level in the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization classification) and property owners are now given a 90-day grace period, while normal residencies are given a 60-day grace period.

An ICP customer care agent explained, however, that while some skilled workers get to enjoy a 180-day grace period to exit the UAE after a cancelled visa, their dependents are only entitled to a 60-day grace period. It also remains unclear whether the new rule is applicable to people who have overstayed their visa.

"If someone has overstayed their visa, then it is unlikely that they will get the grace period when it is cancelled," said Al Mas Businessmen Service General Manager Abdul Gafoor. "We are still awaiting some clarification regarding this."