Leaving the UAE Permanently in 2026? Your Complete Visa, Banking, DEWA and Salik Cancellation Checklist
By Thasmiya
Leaving the UAE after years of living and working here involves more than booking a flight and packing your belongings.
Whether you are relocating for a new job, returning to your home country or moving abroad with your family, several important procedures must be completed before departure.
From cancelling your [UAE residence visa](https://www.whatmatters.ae/post/outside-uae-more-than-6-months-happens-residence) and closing bank accounts to settling credit cards, disconnecting DEWA and deactivating Salik, missing even one step could result in unexpected charges or complications.
Here is a practical **UAE exit checklist for 2026** to help residents leave the country with their finances, documents and responsibilities in order.
## **1\. Cancel Your UAE Residence Visa**
One of the most important steps before permanently leaving the UAE is cancelling your residence visa.
For employees sponsored by a company, the employer normally handles the cancellation process.
The employer must first complete the necessary employment and work-permit cancellation procedures before applying to cancel the residence permit.
For Dubai-issued visas, cancellation is handled through the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA). In other emirates, the relevant procedures are generally handled through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
### **How to cancel your UAE residence visa**
1. Inform your employer or visa sponsor about your departure. 2. Complete employment termination and work-permit cancellation requirements. Before completing the cancellation process, read our guide to [UAE work permit rules, costs, types and the application process](https://www.whatmatters.ae/post/uae-work-permit-guide-2026-rules-costs-types) to understand the work authorisation requirements for employees in the UAE. 3. Review your final salary and end-of-service settlement. 4. Ask your sponsor to submit the residence visa cancellation request. 5. Obtain a copy of the official visa cancellation confirmation. 6. Check your permitted departure deadline.
**Important:** If you sponsor your spouse, children or other dependents, their residence permits generally need to be cancelled before yours.
Dubai’s GDRFA currently lists a residence permit cancellation fee of AED 100, plus AED 10 each for Knowledge and Innovation fees. Additional service-centre charges may apply.
The applicable grace period depends on your residency category and circumstances. Always follow the deadline shown in your official cancellation record rather than assuming everyone receives the same period.
**Official service:** GDRFA Dubai – Residence Permit Cancellation
## **2\. Collect Your Final Salary and End-of-Service Benefits**
Before leaving your job, make sure all employment-related payments have been settled.
These may include your final salary, eligible end-of-service gratuity, unused annual leave payments, approved reimbursements and other contractual benefits.
Request a detailed final settlement statement from your employer.
Check the calculations carefully before signing any declaration confirming that you have received your employment dues.
If you believe an amount is missing, raise the issue with your employer or the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation before completing the settlement.
Keep copies of your employment contract, payslips, termination letter and final settlement confirmation.
**Official resource:** Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
## **3\. Close Your UAE Bank Accounts**
Closing your bank account is another important step when leaving the UAE permanently.
An account left open may continue to attract charges depending on the bank, account type and applicable terms.
Before requesting closure, transfer your remaining funds, cancel standing instructions and ensure no payments are pending.
### **How to close your UAE bank account**
Contact your bank through its official application, customer-service team or branch.
Request the procedure for permanently closing your account.
Clear any outstanding charges and stop recurring payments.
Transfer the remaining balance to another account.
Download your bank statements and important transaction records.
Request written confirmation once the account has been closed.
Some banks may require additional identification or documentation.
Under the UAE Central Bank’s published consumer protection standards, the maximum listed personal account closure fee is AED 100, although the amount actually charged depends on the applicable rules and account conditions.
**Important:** Do not close your only UAE bank account before receiving your final salary, DEWA refund or other outstanding payments.
**Official resource:** Central Bank of the UAE – Consumer Protection Standards
## **4\. Settle Credit Cards, Loans and Outstanding Debts**
Before leaving the UAE, review all financial commitments.
These may include personal loans, car loans, credit cards, buy-now-pay-later arrangements and other financing agreements.
Leaving the country does not cancel outstanding financial obligations.
Contact each lender to request a final settlement amount and confirm whether early settlement fees apply.
After paying the outstanding amount, request a clearance or no-liability certificate.
For credit cards, ensure that all pending transactions, instalment plans and recurring subscriptions have been settled before requesting cancellation.
Keep the final closure confirmation for future reference.
## **5\. Cancel Your DEWA Account and Claim Your Deposit**
If you live in Dubai, you should arrange the cancellation of your Dubai Electricity and Water Authority account before moving out.
DEWA offers an online **Move-Out service** that allows customers to schedule electricity and water disconnection.
### **How to cancel DEWA online**
Visit the official DEWA website.
Log in using your DEWA account or UAE Pass.
Select the Deactivation of Electricity/Water service.
Choose the relevant account and settle any outstanding bills.
Enter your preferred disconnection date and time.
Select how you would like to receive any remaining security deposit.
Submit the request and save the reference number.
DEWA will issue a final bill after the selected disconnection date.
Once the final bill is settled, the clearance certificate is issued automatically, and any remaining security deposit is processed according to the selected refund method.
### **How much does DEWA cancellation cost?**
DEWA currently lists the following standard move-out charges:
**Small electricity and water meters:** AED 125.
**Large electricity and water meters:** AED 300.
**Knowledge fee:** AED 10.
**Innovation fee:** AED 10.
For a typical residential account with small meters, the listed charges total **AED 145**.
**Official service:** DEWA – Move-Out and Final Bill
## **6\. Cancel Your Ejari and Settle Your Tenancy Agreement**
If you are renting a property in Dubai, coordinate with your landlord or property management company before moving out.
Review your tenancy agreement to understand the notice period, early termination conditions and any applicable penalties.
Arrange the property handover and document its condition.
Settle outstanding rent, maintenance charges and other contractual obligations.
Request confirmation of the tenancy termination and Ejari cancellation.
Also confirm how and when your rental security deposit will be returned.
Dubai has integrated certain Ejari cancellation procedures with DEWA’s move-out service, helping eligible tenants coordinate utility disconnection and tenancy closure.
**Official resource:** Dubai Land Department
## **7\. Deactivate Your Salik Account and Remove Your Vehicle**
If you own a vehicle registered in Dubai, do not forget about Salik.
Salik is Dubai’s electronic toll collection system, and vehicles are linked to individual Salik accounts.
If you sell your vehicle before leaving, you must remove the vehicle from your account and deactivate the associated Salik tag.
### **How to remove your vehicle from Salik**
Log in to the official Salik website or mobile application.
Open your account’s vehicle management section.
Select the vehicle you have sold or transferred.
Follow the instructions to remove the vehicle and deactivate its tag.
Remove the physical Salik sticker from the windscreen.
Save the confirmation for your records.
Salik’s terms state that customers changing vehicle ownership must deactivate the tag, remove it from the vehicle and remove the vehicle from their account.
Failing to do so can leave the previous owner responsible for subsequent toll charges or violations.
**Official resource:** Salik Dubai
## **8\. Sell Your Car or Cancel Its Registration**
If you own a vehicle, decide whether to sell it, transfer ownership or export it before leaving.
For vehicles registered in Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority provides services for ownership-related procedures and vehicle registration cancellation.
If you are exporting the vehicle, RTA offers an export certificate service.
### **What to check before selling your car**
Settle outstanding traffic fines.
Clear any vehicle financing and obtain the necessary bank release.
Complete the official ownership transfer.
Cancel or update the vehicle’s insurance where applicable.
Remove the vehicle from Salik.
Keep the transfer or export documents.
If the vehicle is being exported, RTA requires the relevant registration cancellation process and handling of the number plates.
**Official service:** RTA – Cancel Vehicle Registration
## **9\. Cancel Your Mobile, Internet and Television Services**
Your UAE mobile number, home internet and television subscriptions should also be reviewed before departure.
Residents using postpaid plans may have outstanding bills or contractual commitments.
Contact your telecommunications provider and request permanent service cancellation.
Ask about early termination charges, remaining device instalments and equipment-return requirements.
For example, du states that customers cancelling certain home internet contracts early may need to pay an additional month’s rental and outstanding router instalments.
**Important:** Keep your UAE mobile number active until you have completed banking verification, received necessary OTPs and downloaded important government documents.
Once these tasks are complete, arrange cancellation or another suitable account option with your provider.
Official providers include du and e& UAE.
## **10\. Cancel Insurance Policies and Other Subscriptions**
Before leaving, review your active insurance policies and recurring memberships.
These may include car insurance, private medical insurance, home contents insurance, gym memberships, parking subscriptions and streaming services.
Some policies may end automatically when employment or residency ends, while others require a separate cancellation request.
Contact each provider to confirm the cancellation process and whether a partial refund is available.
For unemployment insurance under the ILOE scheme, review your policy status and any outstanding premiums rather than assuming that residence visa cancellation automatically closes every related account.
## **11\. Transfer Your Money Before Closing Accounts**
If you plan to transfer your savings abroad, arrange the process while your banking services remain accessible.
Check international transfer limits, exchange rates, fees and any documentation required by your bank.
Large transfers may require supporting documents explaining the source of funds.
Keep records of your salary, savings, property sales and end-of-service benefits.
If you expect refunds after departure, confirm whether they can be paid into an overseas account or whether you should keep a UAE account open temporarily.
Avoid withdrawing or transferring all your funds before confirming your final obligations.
## **12\. Clear Outstanding Traffic Fines and Government Payments**
Before departure, check for unpaid traffic fines, toll charges, parking penalties and other government dues.
For Dubai, vehicle-related payments can be checked through RTA and the relevant police services.
If you have lived or driven in other emirates, check the applicable authorities there as well.
Save payment receipts and clearance confirmations.
This is particularly important if you plan to return to the UAE for work, business or tourism.
## **13\. Arrange School Withdrawals and Family Documents**
Families leaving the UAE should also complete school and dependent-related procedures.
Inform your children’s school about the planned departure.
Request school transfer certificates, academic transcripts and other necessary records.
Check whether outstanding tuition fees, transport fees or deposits need to be settled.
Collect vaccination records and relevant medical documents.
Ensure that dependent visa cancellations are completed in the correct order.
Families relocating internationally should also check the document-attestation requirements of their destination country.
## **14\. Collect Important Documents Before Departure**
Before leaving the UAE, download and securely store copies of your important records.
These should include your passport, Emirates ID details, visa cancellation confirmation, employment contract, experience certificate, final settlement statement, bank clearance letters, DEWA clearance certificate, tenancy termination documents and vehicle transfer records.
You may also need academic certificates, marriage certificates, birth certificates, medical records and insurance documents.
Keep both digital and physical copies where practical.
## **15\. Check Your Exit Deadline After Visa Cancellation**
Cancelling your UAE residence visa does not necessarily mean you must leave the country immediately.
A grace period may apply depending on your visa category and circumstances.
For example, GDRFA Dubai’s standard residence cancellation service currently refers to a 60-day grace period, but other categories can have different arrangements.
The safest approach is to check the exact permitted stay shown in your cancellation documentation or confirm it with the immigration authority.
Overstaying beyond the applicable deadline can result in penalties.
**Official information:** UAE Government – Residence Visa Rules
## **What Should You Cancel First When Leaving the UAE?**
The order matters because some services depend on others.
Start by confirming your departure date and discussing your final settlement with your employer.
Next, review your loans, credit cards and bank accounts.
Arrange your tenancy termination and schedule DEWA disconnection close to your actual moving date.
Sell or transfer your vehicle and remove it from Salik.
Cancel unnecessary subscriptions and settle outstanding bills.
Complete dependent and employment visa cancellation procedures in the required order.
Keep your UAE bank account and mobile number accessible until important refunds, transfers and verification requirements have been completed.
Finally, obtain all closure confirmations and check your immigration departure deadline.
## **Common Mistakes to Avoid**
One common mistake is closing a bank account before receiving an end-of-service payment or utility refund.
Another is selling a car without removing it from Salik.
Some residents also forget to cancel home internet contracts, resulting in continued billing or early termination charges.
Others leave without obtaining final settlement statements, clearance certificates or proof that their residence visa was cancelled.
Planning these procedures several weeks before departure can reduce the risk of last-minute complications.
## **Why This Matters**
Leaving the UAE permanently is a major life transition, and completing the necessary administrative procedures is an important part of moving abroad.
A properly organised exit can help residents avoid unexpected bills, unresolved financial obligations, visa complications and difficulties accessing documents after departure.
By cancelling services in the correct order, settling outstanding payments and keeping official confirmation records, UAE residents can begin their next chapter with greater peace of mind.
The key is simple: **before saying goodbye to the UAE, make sure your visa, finances, property and utilities are properly settled.**
* * *
## **Source Credits**
Information sources: UAE Government Portal, GDRFA Dubai, ICP, Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Central Bank of the UAE, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dubai Land Department, Roads and Transport Authority, Salik, du and e& UAE.
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