Know the required documents, employee rights, fees and reasons that could delay approval.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has outlined four key steps for cancelling a work permit, emphasising that all required procedures, information and supporting documents must be completed as part of the application process.
The steps include submitting a work permit cancellation request, providing the necessary details and documents, clearing any fines related to delayed work permit issuance or renewal, and obtaining an employer declaration confirming that the employee has received all due entitlements.
The ministry also highlighted the procedures and conditions for amending employment contracts, noting that any changes must comply with Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations, which aims to safeguard the rights of both employees and employers.
Amendment request
MOHRE explained that establishments can submit a “Work Permit and Employment Contract Amendment” request through the Ministry’s website or smart application to officially record and approve any changes made to employment contract terms.
The Ministry stressed that any condition or agreement that conflicts with the provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations will be considered invalid if it reduces the minimum rights granted to workers, unless it offers additional benefits to employees.
It added that employers cannot make changes to an employment contract — including adjustments to salary, job title or nature of work — without the employee’s explicit written approval and compliance with MOHRE-approved procedures.
Development of work permit services
MOHRE recently announced a new phase in the development of work permit services, focusing on simplifying requirements, redesigning procedures and expanding digital service channels.
The initiative aims to speed up transaction processing, improve customer experience and enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the UAE labour market.
The Ministry said the improvements are part of ongoing efforts to streamline procedures, expand digital services and support the UAE Government’s smart transformation goals while strengthening labour market efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Public consultation
MOHRE has also launched an online consultation process, open until July 30, inviting members of the public and customers to share feedback and suggestions on existing work permit services and possible improvements.
The consultation focuses on redesigning work permit issuance procedures and reducing administrative requirements to accelerate transactions and support compliance with labour relations regulations.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to engaging customers on matters that affect them through digital consultations designed to collect a broad range of feedback, analyse suggestions and use the findings to support decision-making, improve services and enhance customer satisfaction.
According to MOHRE, the expected outcome of the consultation is to approve further development of work permit service procedures in line with policies focused on simplifying processes and expanding digital service channels.
In a separate initiative, the Ministry is also seeking customer feedback on its artificial intelligence system for the automatic issuance and renewal of employment contracts. The consultation aims to assess the system’s role in improving government efficiency, speeding up service delivery and reducing human errors.
MOHRE said the feedback will help further develop and enhance the AI-powered employment contract issuance and renewal system. The initiative supports the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, introduced by the UAE Government to advance public sector performance and efficiency.
The Ministry currently issues 13 types of work permits, allowing establishments registered with MOHRE to obtain the appropriate permits for employees based on the nature and type of employment.
Want to cancel a work permit and employment contract? Conditions and procedures explained
According to MOHRE procedures, cancelling a work permit and employment contract for private-sector employees requires meeting several legal conditions and completing specific steps.
First: Basic conditions for work permit cancellation
The requirements include:
- Settlement of outstanding fines: Any fines owed by the establishment must be cleared, including penalties related to delayed issuance or renewal of work permits, except in cases involving unused permits.
- Employer declaration of employee entitlements: The employer must confirm that all legal dues owed to the employee have been paid, including:
- Outstanding wages;
- Payment for unused leave, where applicable;
- End-of-service gratuity, where applicable;
- Any other entitlements provided under labour law or the employment contract.
- Employee approval: The employee must sign the cancellation form and confirm receipt of all due entitlements.
Second: Cases where employee signature is not required
MOHRE said an employee’s signature is not required in certain exceptional cases, including:
- When the employee is outside the UAE;
- When the employee is confirmed to have a contagious disease;
- In the event of the employee’s death;
- When the employee’s status has been administratively cancelled after completing procedures with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
Third: Required documents
The documents needed for work permit cancellation include:
- The Ministry’s approved cancellation application form;
- Additional supporting documents depending on the circumstances, such as:
- Residency details if the employee is outside the UAE;
- Death certificate;
- Medical fitness report in cases involving contagious diseases;
- Cancellation form signed by both parties, or by the employer alone in specific exceptional cases.
Fourth: Application process
The work permit and employment contract cancellation process involves the following steps:
- Log in through the Ministry’s website or smart application using UAE Pass.
- Submit the work permit and employment contract cancellation request.
- MOHRE reviews the application along with the submitted documents.
- Complete any additional requirements if requested by the Ministry.
- Once approved, the work permit and contract are cancelled electronically, and the employer is notified of the outcome.
Fifth: Service completion time
The service is generally completed within two working days after all required conditions and documents have been fulfilled.
Sixth: Fees
The government service is available free of charge through MOHRE’s website and smart application.
Business service centres may charge service fees of up to AED 72, excluding VAT and any applicable collection charges.
Seventh: Relationship between work permit cancellation and residency cancellation
Cancelling a work permit does not automatically result in the cancellation of an employee’s residency visa.
In the private sector, the work permit must first be cancelled through MOHRE. The cancellation document can then be used to complete residency cancellation procedures through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) or the relevant General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in the respective emirate.
When can MOHRE refuse or delay work permit cancellation?
Work permit cancellation procedures are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations, its Executive Regulations issued under Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, and relevant ministerial decisions.
These regulations define the circumstances in which cancellation requests may be approved, suspended or rejected.
First: Failure to meet cancellation requirements
MOHRE will not approve a cancellation request if the required legal conditions have not been fulfilled, including:
- Failure of the employer to declare payment of employee entitlements
Employers must submit a declaration confirming that all employee financial dues have been paid.
This declaration is a key requirement for the approval of a work permit cancellation request.
- Failure of the employee to sign the cancellation request
Employees are required to sign the cancellation request and acknowledge receipt of all entitled dues.
However, the employee’s signature is not required in certain cases, including:
- Employees who are outside the UAE;
- Employees who have passed away;
- Employees diagnosed with contagious diseases;
- Administrative cancellations completed after procedures with the relevant authorities.
- Outstanding work permit fines
Any fines related to delays in issuing or renewing work permits must be settled before the cancellation process can proceed, except for unused permits.
Second: Existence of a labour complaint
A labour complaint does not automatically lead to the rejection of a work permit cancellation request. The procedure depends on the stage and status of the dispute.
If the complaint is still before MOHRE
Cancellation procedures are generally put on hold while the Ministry works to reach an amicable settlement, particularly in cases involving disputes over wages, end-of-service gratuity or other financial entitlements.
If settlement efforts are unsuccessful, the complaint may be referred to the competent court or addressed through another legal process, depending on the circumstances.
If the complaint has been referred to court
MOHRE provides a dedicated service titled “Cancellation Request for an Employee Involved in a Labour Case” for cases where a dispute has been referred to the judiciary.
The requirements include:
- The labour complaint must have been referred to the court;
- The employee’s work permit must still be valid;
- No absconding report must have been filed against the employee.
The Ministry reviews each request based on the status of the legal proceedings before issuing a decision.
Third: Employer refusal to confirm payment of entitlements
One of the most common practical reasons for delays in work permit cancellation is the failure to confirm payment of employee dues.
If the employer refuses to provide a declaration confirming that all entitlements have been paid, or if the employee refuses to sign the cancellation request because outstanding benefits have not been received, the Ministry generally does not complete the cancellation through the standard process.
In such cases, the matter may be referred to the labour complaints process to resolve the dispute before, or alongside, completion of the cancellation procedures.
Fourth: Regulatory violations by the establishment
Under the Executive Regulations, MOHRE may refuse to issue, renew or cancel a work permit in certain circumstances, including:
- Submission of false information or documents;
- Establishments found to be fictitious or not conducting genuine business activities;
- Failure to comply with the Wage Protection System (WPS);
- Other cases determined by the Minister or an authorised representative.
Fifth: Absconding report
If an absconding report has been filed against an employee, the employee cannot use the work permit cancellation service intended for workers whose labour disputes have been referred to court until the absconding case is resolved through the applicable legal procedures.
Legal framework
The main legal provisions governing work permit cancellation include:
- Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations;
- Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, which issued the Executive Regulations of the Decree-Law and sets out procedures related to the issuance, renewal and cancellation of work permits.
These provisions include requirements such as:
- Submitting a cancellation request;
- Completing all required information and supporting documents;
- Settling applicable fines;
- Providing an employer declaration confirming payment of employee entitlements;
- Allowing MOHRE to refuse cancellation in legally defined circumstances.
Most common reasons for delays or failure to complete work permit cancellation
The most frequent causes include:
- Failure by the employer to declare payment of employee entitlements;
- Employee refusal to sign the cancellation request due to unpaid dues;
- Pending labour complaints involving financial claims;
- Court proceedings arising from employment disputes;
- Outstanding fines;
- Absconding reports in certain cases;
- Regulatory violations by the establishment, including Wage Protection System violations or submission of inaccurate information.
The existence of a labour complaint alone does not automatically prevent work permit cancellation. However, it may require a separate procedure to ensure employee rights are protected until the dispute is resolved or a decision is issued by the Ministry in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
