Absconding Case After Visa Cancellation 2025

Absconding in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) refers to a situation where a foreign resident is accused of violating the terms of their visa and is no longer regarded as a legal occupant of the country. This can occur after visa cancellation, even when done at the right time and terms. In this context, this article will provide everything you need to know about absconding cases following visa cancellation, along with corrective measures to take. By playing safer, you can make informed decisions and plan your stay in the UAE more effectively.

Resolving an Absconding Case After Visa Cancellation

Here’s what to do if you’re accused or in a position to be accused of absconding after cancelling your visa: ^[1]

• Verify status: Visit the MoHRE inquiry page “from here” Once you confirm that your status is in dispute, you can proceed to the next steps. if you do not have an absconding case but your employer/sponsor is threatening to file one, settle the issue amicably or contact legal assistance.

• Contact your sponsor: If you have an absconding case filed by your employer/sponsor, contact them to negotiate the matter. If it is an error, bring it to their attention, but in the case where it is not, discuss the situation with them and heed cooperation so that the issue is resolved without the involvement of the authorities. If the reporter refuses to revoke the case and is filing it out of personal differences, take the next step.
• Legal action: Contact a legal consultant to file an official appeal against the case. Make sure you have proof of your innocence (resignation letter, emails, visa exit stamps, etc.) and attend court hearings if needed.
• Leave or extend stay: If you have illegally continued your stay in the country after visa cancellation, take advantage of the extension period to prepare your departure from the UAE or begin the process of renewing your visa. Note that the attempt to extend one’s stay may or may not be successful; hence, there should always be a departure plan. 
• Cooperate with the authorities: If you’re at fault, contact the authorities to avoid any further escalation of the case, which might lead to harsher penalties. Pay any outstanding fine, and follow the legal demands of the immigration office in resolving your case.
• Address the violation: Rectify visa violations by contacting the authorities or a visa expert to remedy the situation.

Consequences of Absconding Case

Getting an absconding case after visa cancellation  can potentially result into any of the following outcomes: ^[2]

• Fines: The escalation of an absconding case may lead to fines depending on the violation and its severity. After the 30-day extension period, any further overstay by the absconder will result in a fine of 50 AED per day.
• Deportation: If an absconding case is proven, immigration authorities can issue a deportation order. This will lead to the detention and deportation of the defaulter back to their home country at their own expense.
• Travel bans: Depending on the severity of the case, absconders may not only face deportation but also travel bans. These individuals will be blacklisted from returning to the UAE within a specific period of time or indefinitely depending on the severity of the case. You can check if you have a UAE travel ban “from here.”

• Legal actions: Violating the terms of a visa stay may lead to legal actions by the state. These complications may often lead to the cancellation of one’s visa, benefits, rights, and permits.

How to Avoid an Absconding Case After Visa Cancellation

Here are certain precautions you can take to avoid getting into an absconding case in the UAE:

• Resign properly: Make sure you follow the due process before resigning at your workplace. This may require giving a few days/weeks prior notice, submitting a copy of your formal resignation letter, etc. Remember to keep a copy of all documents involved in the process so that you can prove that your visa cancellation was valid. 
• Complete the visa cancellation process: Let your visa cancellation be initiated by your employer and approved by the UAE immigration authorities. Make sure that you sign the visa cancellation form in front of company representatives and immigration officers.
• Keep records: Have records of interactions between employer or sponsor to protect yourself from false absconding claims in the future. In addition to that, keep copies of documents such as work clearance letters, resignation letters, visa cancellation documents, final settlement agreements, and the rest. Make sure to always use formal channels for work-related affairs to allow for easier verification and retrieval of legal proofs.
• Do not overstay: Overstaying your visa automatically makes you an absconder. Plan your visits well and make sure to complete travel objectives within your visa timeframe to avoid temptations of overstaying.
• Clear salary before switching jobs: Before cancelling your visa, ensure that your employer has cleared your salary, benefits, or gratuity, as employers may file a false absconding case to avoid paying those. Also return any company loans, assets, and properties to avoid grounds for an absconding claim.
• Seek legal help early: Always consult a legal practitioner whenever you begin to face issues that might eventually lead to an absconding case. Have knowledge of your rights, and do not hesitate to file complaints at the labor department regarding out-of-control disputes at work. 

Conclusion

Getting an absconding case threatens any further stay in the UAE, making it the reason why you should try to avoid, identify, or resolve it. Adhere to your visa terms and do not hesitate to seek legal support when things spiral out of control.