Grace period after a residence is cancelled or expires

GDRFA Dubai's service pages for private-sector residence and for cancellation state a grace period of 60 days to stay in the UAE after a residence permit expires or is cancelled; GDRFA's green partner residence pages state 180 days. During the grace period you can leave, renew, or change status to a new visa without fines. ICP's federal cancellation card (updated 11 December 2024) sets periods by category: 180 days for Golden, Green and Blue residence holders and their families, widows or divorced women of residents, students after graduation, and relatives of UAE citizens with foreign passports; 90 days for skilled workers (levels 1-3) and property owners; 60 days for residences issued with a sponsor or host; 30 days for other categories. After the grace period, an overstay fine of AED 50 per day applies from the next day (u.ae says overstay fines are unified at AED 50 per day for visit, tourist and residence visas). The grace period counts from the cancellation or expiry date, so keep the cancellation paper.