Will my expired freezone visa be canceled automatically after the grace period? - Q&A - Legal Advice Middle East

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Q: My sponsor doesn't want to cancel my expired visa. After the 2-month grace period ends, will my freezone visa be canceled? A: The sponsor must formally apply for cancellation. If a resident remains outside the UAE for 6 months or more, their residency visa automatically becomes invalid…

Abdul Wahied Mohammad Sharief · Accepted Answer

Dear Sir/Madam, Thank you for reaching out regarding your concerns about the cancellation of your expired freezone visa! Below is a professional response to address your situation and provide clarity on the next steps: 1. Automatic Visa Cancellation After Prolonged Absence: Under UAE immigration rules, if a resident remains outside the UAE for 6 months or more, their residency visa automatically becomes invalid. Since you have been outside the UAE for over a year, your visa is likely no longer valid. However, official cancellation of the visa is still required by the sponsor to clear your records with UAE immigration authorities. It is important to note that automatic invalidation due to prolonged absence does not absolve the sponsor from their legal obligation to formally cancel the visa through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or the relevant freezone authority. 2. Grace Period After Visa Expiration: Once a visa expires or is canceled, a grace period applies. For most residency visas, this grace period is 30 days, though certain categories (e.g., Golden Visa or Green Visa holders) may have longer grace periods of up to 180 days. If this grace period has passed without formal cancellation or renewal, fines for overstaying may apply at AED 50 per day. 3. The Sponsor’s Role in Visa Cancellation: The responsibility to cancel a residency visa lies with your sponsor (employer or freezone authority). Even if the visa has expired or you are outside the UAE, your sponsor must initiate the cancellation process. Failure to cancel your visa could result in complications for you in future dealings with UAE immigration authorities, such as when applying for new visas or re-entering the country. 4. Steps You Can Take: To resolve this issue effectively, you may consider the following actions: a) Contact the Freezone Authority: Approach the freezone authority where your visa was issued and inform them that your sponsor is refusing to cancel your expired visa. Freezones often have mechanisms to intervene and ensure compliance from sponsors in such situations. b) File a Complaint with MOHRE (if applicable): If your employment was governed by MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation), you can file a formal complaint against your sponsor for failing to fulfill their legal obligation to cancel your visa. c) Check Your Visa Status Online: Use platforms such as GDRFA or ICP (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship) to check whether your visa has already been canceled or invalidated due to prolonged absence. This will help clarify whether further action is required. d) Request an Exit Permit: If you plan to re-enter the UAE in the future but cannot resolve the cancellation issue with your sponsor, you may need to apply for an exit permit through GDRFA or Amer centers. This clears any overstaying fines and ensures no restrictions on future visa applications. 5. Key Considerations: - While a prolonged absence automatically invalidates residency visas, formal cancellation by the sponsor is still required. - If unresolved, this issue may affect future applications for UAE visas or entry into the country. - Sponsors are legally obligated under UAE law to cancel expired visas, and failure to do so may warrant intervention by Freezone authorities or MOHRE. 6. Conclusion: Your Freezone visa will not be automatically canceled unless proper action is taken by your sponsor. To resolve this matter: 1. Contact the freezone authority where your visa was issued and request their assistance in initiating cancellation. 2. Check your current visa status online through GDRFA or ICP platforms. 3. If necessary, file a formal complaint with MOHRE or seek legal advice regarding the next steps. Should you require further assistance navigating this process, please do not hesitate to reach out. Best regards, ABDUL WAHIED

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