Leaving UAE Checklist — Complete Exit Guide for Expats

Leaving the UAE involves a lot of moving parts. Whether you are resigning, being made redundant, or leaving after a contract ends, the steps are broadly the same — but the order matters.

This checklist is designed to be worked through roughly in sequence. Some items (like giving housing notice) need to happen weeks or months before your last working day. Others (like visa cancellation) happen after.

Print this page or bookmark it. Tick items off as you go.

• Collect your End of Service Benefit (EOSB) — Your employer must pay within 14 days of your last working day. Use our UAE EOSB Calculator to verify the amount. If they haven't paid, see our How to Claim EOSB guide.
• Get your experience letter — Request a formal experience/service letter on company letterhead. You will need this for future employers in the GCC and elsewhere.
• Collect your clearance letter — Confirms you have returned all company property and have no outstanding obligations.
• Return company property — Laptop, phone, access cards, parking card, SIM card (if company-issued), uniforms.
• Cancel your labour card — Your employer handles this as part of the visa cancellation process. Confirm it has been done.
• Check your final payslip — Should include outstanding salary, unused annual leave payout, notice period compensation, repatriation ticket, and EOSB as separate line items.
• Collect any pension/savings scheme funds — If enrolled in the UAE Savings Scheme (post-Oct 2025), contact your fund provider for withdrawal.

• Understand your 30-day grace period — After visa cancellation, you have 30 days to leave the UAE, transfer to a new visa, or change status. Overstaying incurs fines of AED 50/day (first 6 months) then AED 100/day.
• Visa cancellation — Your employer initiates this. You will receive a cancellation confirmation. Keep a copy.
• Emirates ID — Your Emirates ID is automatically cancelled with your visa. You do not need to physically return it, but it becomes invalid.
• Driving licence — Your UAE driving licence remains valid until your visa expires. You can keep it as identification abroad but it is no longer valid for driving in the UAE after visa cancellation. If you have a licence from a country with a reciprocal agreement, you may want to convert it before leaving.
• Check for travel bans — Ensure there are no outstanding legal cases, bounced cheques, or disputes that could trigger a travel ban. Check via the ICA app or website (icp.gov.ae).
• Power of attorney — If you have ongoing matters in the UAE (property sale, legal dispute), consider granting a notarised power of attorney to a trusted person before you leave.

• Close or convert bank accounts — Most UAE banks require you to close your account after visa cancellation. Some allow you to convert to a non-resident account (useful if you have ongoing payments like rent refunds). Visit your branch in person — this cannot always be done online.
• Cancel credit cards — Pay off all outstanding balances and request a closure letter. Unpaid credit card debt in the UAE can result in travel bans and legal action.
• Collect your DEWA security deposit — DEWA refunds the AED 2,000 (apartment) or AED 4,000 (villa) security deposit. Apply through the DEWA app or website. Refund takes 2–4 weeks.
• Transfer funds home — Compare exchange rates and fees before sending your EOSB and savings home. Use our FX Transfer Comparison tool to find the best rate.
• Check tax timing — If you are returning to a country with income tax (UK, Australia, etc.), the timing of your EOSB receipt matters. Receiving your lump sum before you become tax resident again could save you significant tax. Use our Tax Estimator to understand the impact.
• Cancel any standing orders / direct debits — Gym, subscriptions, Salik auto-top-up, phone bills, etc.
• Collect any outstanding loans or deposits — Security deposits from landlords, clubs, or service providers.

• Give notice to your landlord — Check your tenancy contract for the required notice period. Typically 30–90 days. Provide written notice (email or registered letter).
• Ejari cancellation — Cancel your Ejari registration through the Dubai REST app or Ejari portal. You will need your Ejari certificate number.
• DEWA final bill — Request a final meter reading and settle your last bill. You cannot get your DEWA deposit back until the final bill is cleared.
• Return keys and get your deposit back — Do a joint inspection with your landlord. Take photos/video of the property condition. Get written confirmation of deposit return timeline (typically 30–60 days after move-out).
• Cancel internet (du/Etisalat) — Early termination fees may apply if you are within a contract period. Cancel in-store or via the app.
• Cancel chiller/district cooling — If applicable (Empower, Emicool), cancel and settle any final charges.
• Forward mail — Set up mail forwarding if you have a PO Box.

• Cancel health insurance — Your employer-provided health insurance typically ends on your last working day or visa cancellation date. Confirm the exact end date with HR.
• Get your medical records — Request copies of your medical records from your primary clinic or hospital. This includes vaccination records, test results, prescriptions, and treatment history.
• Prescription transfers — If you take regular medication, get a letter from your doctor detailing your prescriptions. Some medications available OTC in the UAE require prescriptions elsewhere (and vice versa).
• Dental records — Request X-rays and treatment history from your dentist.
• Optician records — Get a copy of your latest eye prescription.
• Consider travel insurance — Once your employer insurance ends, you are uninsured. If you are travelling before reaching your destination, consider short-term travel insurance.

• Sell your car or arrange export — Selling in the UAE is usually easier. Use platforms like Dubizzle, CarSwitch, or dealer buyback. If exporting, arrange shipping and customs clearance well in advance.
• Cancel Salik account — Close your Salik toll account and request a refund of any remaining balance. Do this after your last drive through a toll gate.
• Pay all traffic fines — Check for outstanding fines via the Dubai Police app, Abu Dhabi Police, or the relevant emirate's traffic department. Unpaid fines can prevent visa cancellation.
• Cancel vehicle insurance — Cancel your motor insurance and request a pro-rata refund for any unused period.
• De-register the vehicle — If you have sold the car, ensure the buyer completes the ownership transfer at RTA/traffic department. If scrapping, arrange through an authorised dealer.
• Cancel vehicle finance — If the car is on a loan, settle the outstanding balance and get a clearance letter from the bank before selling.

• School transfer certificates — Request official transfer certificates from your children's school. These must be attested by the relevant education authority (KHDA in Dubai, ADEK in Abu Dhabi).
• Vaccination records — Get copies of your children's vaccination cards. These are required for school enrolment in most countries.
• School reports and transcripts — Request copies of the last 2–3 years of school reports.
• Give notice to the school — Most schools require one term's notice to avoid paying for the next term. Check your school's withdrawal policy.
• Settle school fees — Clear any outstanding fees and collect your post-dated cheques (if applicable).
• Extra-curricular records — Certificates from sports, music, or academic programmes can support new school applications.

• Cancel your mobile phone contract — du or Etisalat. Port your number if the provider supports international porting, or cancel and get a final bill.
• Cancel subscriptions — Gym, streaming services (if UAE-specific), loyalty programmes, parking permits.
• Collect personal items — Anything in storage, at the office, or with friends.
• Shipping — Arrange freight or luggage shipping for items you cannot take as checked baggage. Book well in advance.
• Say goodbye — The UAE expat community is tight-knit. A farewell brunch is practically mandatory.
• Keep digital copies of everything — Scan or photograph all documents: visa cancellation, Emirates ID, tenancy contract, EOSB receipt, bank closure letters, experience letter. Store in the cloud.