Business Setup

Life and business in Dubai move quickly, and there are many reasons you might need to cancel a partner or investor visa. This may be due to losing or selling your company, changing partners, or moving to a different residency option. 

What Is a Partner Visa in Dubai?

A partner visa (often called an investor visa) is a residency visa issued to individuals who own shares in a UAE company, either on the mainland or in a free zone, allowing them to live in the UAE and manage the business. This is different from a family, dependent, or spouse visa, which is based on family sponsorship rather than business ownership.

Common reasons to cancel a partner visa include dissolving a partnership, selling shares, closing the company, relocating, or switching to another visa type, such as an employment, freelance, or Golden Visa.

Step-by-Step Partner Visa Cancellation Process

The partner visa cancellation process in Dubai is handled through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), either online or via Amer/typing centers.

Step 1: Obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC)

• Get a signed and stamped NOC from your business partner(s) or company.
• This confirms they have no objection to cancelling your visa, and it is often mandatory to start the process. 

If a partner refuses to sign, you may need to escalate to GDRFA or Dubai Courts to obtain a ruling that replaces the NOC. 

Step 2: Clear Personal and Company Dues

• Settle personal loans, credit cards, traffic fines, and utility bills (DEWA, Etisalat/du). 
• Ensure there are no pending court cases or travel bans by checking with Dubai Police or relevant authorities. 
• Clear company liabilities and fines and, where applicable, obtain a “No Liability” certificate from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DED) or free zone authority.

Unpaid company fines or rent can prevent visa cancellation until cleared.

Step 3: Cancel or Adjust Health Insurance

Cancel the health insurance policy linked to your visa, as proof of cancellation may be requested during the process. 

Step 4: Initiate Cancellation with GDRFA

You can initiate cancellation in three main ways: 

• Via the GDRFA‑Dubai smart app (for online applications).
• Through the GDRFA website. 
• At an Amer or authorised typing centre in Dubai. 

On the app or at the centre, select the residence visa cancellation service, enter your details, and upload documents.

Step 5: Submit Required Documents and Pay Fees

Commonly required documents include: 

• Original passport and copy
• Original Emirates ID
• Copy of current residence visa
• NOC from the company or partner
• Valid trade licence copy (and partner list where applicable)
• Completed visa cancellation form
• Proof of cleared dues if requested

The government partner visa cancellation fee is typically around AED 100–200, with an additional service charge if a PRO or typing centre is involved.

Step 6: Receive Cancellation Confirmation

Once approved, GDRFA issues a cancellation confirmation, either as a stamp on your passport or an electronic confirmation/document.
Processing can be quite fast if documents are in order, often within a few working days. 

Step 7: Surrender Emirates ID

After cancellation, you must surrender your Emirates ID to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) so your residency can be formally deactivated. 

Grace Period After Cancelling a Partner Visa

Once your partner visa is cancelled, you are usually granted a grace period—commonly around 30 days—to either exit the UAE or change your status to another valid visa. 
Overstaying beyond your grace period leads to daily overstay fines and can create problems for future visa applications, so planning ahead is essential. 

Because grace rules can vary by visa type and are updated from time to time, it is advisable to confirm your exact grace duration via ICP or GDRFA channels for your specific file. 

Partner Visa vs Employment Visa Cancellation

Although both are processed through GDRFA, the sponsor and responsibilities differ.

The key difference is control and liability: with a partner visa, you control the process and must clear business obligations, whereas with an employment visa, your employer leads the process.

Your Next Steps After Cancellation

What you do during the grace period depends on whether you intend to leave the UAE or stay under a new visa.

Option A: Leaving the UAE

• Close bank accounts, settle loans, and clear any remaining bills.
• Cancel utilities, telecom services, car insurance, subscriptions, and parking or toll services.
• Finalise your tenancy, obtain clearance from the landlord, and arrange shipment of personal belongings if needed. 

Option B: Switching to Another Visa

To avoid a status gap, aim to start your new visa process before cancelling the partner visa.
If that is not possible, ensure your new visa or status change is completed within the grace period, either by changing status in‑country (where allowed) or exiting and re-entering on a new permit or tourist visa.

Common Challenges and How to Handle Them

Even with planning, you may encounter hurdles during partner visa cancellation.

Uncooperative partner: If a partner refuses to sign the NOC, you can seek assistance from GDRFA or file a case in Dubai Courts to obtain a decision enabling cancellation and, if necessary, amend or cancel the trade license.

Outstanding company debts: Visa cancellation may be blocked until all company fines and debts are cleared and a No Liability certificate is obtained.

Overstay fines: Delaying the process can lead to daily overstay penalties; starting early and finalizing quickly reduces extra costs.

• Travel bans or police cases: An unexpected travel ban can halt cancellation, so it is wise to run a status check in advance and resolve any cases before applying. 

How Gulf Central Can Help You

Because partner visa cancellation touches immigration, licensing, and sometimes courts, many shareholders prefer to use a professional PRO or business setup firm like Gulf Central. 
Our experienced consultants can prepare documents, coordinate with GDRFA and ICP, and advise on grace period strategies and next visa options, reducing the risk of errors and penalties.