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How do I leave the UAE, and in what order?

Leaving the UAE goes smoothly when things happen in the right order. Most steps take days, but a few need notice months ahead.

Last checked 6 Oct 2026·Information, not advice

In 30 seconds

  • Tell your landlord at least 90 days before your lease ends if you won’t renew
  • Clear traffic fines, loans and credit cards before you go: unpaid debts can stop you leaving
  • Cancel your family’s visas before your own, then use the grace period (60 days in Dubai) to finish up
Lease notice90 daysBefore the lease ends, if you won’t renew
Final payWithin 14 daysOf your last day, gratuity included
Grace period60 daysIn Dubai, after your visa is cancelled
OverstayingAED 50 a dayAfter the grace period

The order that works

  1. 3–4 months before: tell your landlord you won’t renew, get removal quotes, and check your pets’ paperwork
  2. Your notice at work: 30 to 90 days, as your contract says
  3. Your car: pay any fines, clear any loan, then sell it or ship it
  4. Debts: pay off or agree a plan for loans and credit cards
  5. Your last weeks: move-out inspection, DEWA disconnection and final bills
  6. Visas: your family’s first, then your own
  7. Fly within the grace period

Make a dated version for your own leaving date in Step 5: Moving on.

Your home

  • If you won’t renew, tell your landlord at least 90 days before the lease ends. The landlord must give the same notice to change the terms
  • A lease can’t be ended early by one side alone. If you need to leave early, check your contract for an early-termination clause and any penalty
  • Your deposit comes back when you hand the home back in the condition you got it, apart from normal wear and tear. Take dated photos at the move-out inspection
  • Ask DEWA to disconnect in its app or website. Your DEWA deposit is set against the final bill, and the rest is refunded to your bank or by cheque. DEWA’s clearance is shared with RERA so Ejari can be cancelled

Your car

What’s needed
Selling it in DubaiAll traffic fines paid (from every emirate), any car loan released, valid insurance and a test. The buyer and you complete the transfer with the RTA. Fees are AED 350 for a car, plus AED 50 for the sale agreement and AED 20 in service fees. The online sale agreement lasts 14 days
Shipping it to the UKYou may not pay import duty or VAT if you’ve owned it for at least 6 months and lived outside the UK for at least 12. Apply for transfer of residence relief before you ship

Money

  • Your final salary, unused leave and gratuity are due within 14 days of your last day. Keep your UAE bank account open until they arrive
  • Unpaid loans, credit cards or bounced cheques can lead to a travel ban, which stops you leaving. How credit and cheques work
  • See what you’ll have left after the costs of getting home in the leaving fund calculator

Visas, in the right order

Your employer cancels your work permit with MOHRE, then your residence visa. If you sponsor your family, their visas must be cancelled before yours. After cancellation there’s a grace period to stay: 60 days in Dubai, and up to 6 months for some kinds of residence. Stay longer and it’s AED 50 a day.

Pets going to the UK

The UAE is a “listed” country for pets coming into Great Britain, so no rabies blood test is needed. You do need:

  • A microchip, fitted before the rabies vaccination
  • A rabies vaccination at least 21 days before you travel
  • A Great Britain pet health certificate from an official vet. Your pet must arrive within 10 days of it being issued
  • For dogs: tapeworm treatment from a vet 1 to 5 days before you arrive

A pet relocation agent can arrange the flights and the UAE paperwork.

What to do next

  1. Make your dated leaving plan in Step 5
  2. Tell your landlord at least 90 days before the lease ends
  3. Check now for fines and debts, while there’s time to settle them

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Next in Moving onHow do we settle back into the UK? →All of Step 5: Moving on