I currently hold a Self-Employed Residency Visa from the Dubai Development Authority (DDA – GoFreelance). I’ve been offered a new role with a U.S. university via an Employer of Record (EOR). Their attempt to apply for a labor card through MOHRE was rejected, as it’s not possible for free zone residents. They have asked me to cancel my current visa so they can sponsor me under an employment visa. My concern is that if I cancel my visa and the new employer/EOR withdraws or fails to complete the process, I’ll be left without valid residency. I’ve also been told new self-employment permits are no longer issued, only renewals, so I cannot easily return to my current status. Questions: - Does UAE law offer any protection in this scenario? - What risk-mitigation steps can I take/request before canceling? - If the process fails, what legal options remain for me to stay in the UAE?

Hello, My father had some debts due in Dubai, and at that time, he was unable to pay them and still hasn’t. We left the country in 2017, but my mom and I were under his sponsorship, and we didn’t cancel our residency visas. Now I need to go back to Dubai on a work trip. I want to check if this might have any effect on me re-entering on a valid tourist visa. I’ve checked the ICP website, and it shows that my residence permit has been cancelled.

Should a legal notice be bilingual? I want to send a legal notice to my business partner (non-Arab). I went to an official translator and got an official translation into Arabic. Now I will go with three printouts to the Notary Public. It is about 8 pages in Arabic and 8 pages in English. Question: Should I only take the Arabic printout with me and get that stamped by the Notary, then ask TABLEEGH to send the English version as an attachment to the Arabic notice? Or should I take all 16 pages (8 Arabic + 8 English) and get the notary stamp on the last page? The reason I ask is that sometimes the Notary does not like long notices.

Hi, I would like to get your legal advice regarding my employment termination. I was on a 24-month limited contract, and I’m currently in my 10th month. The company terminated me with a 30-day notice period, but without any valid reason, prior warning, or performance issue. Could you please advise if this is considered an arbitrary dismissal under UAE Labour Law, and what compensation or claims I may be entitled to in this situation? Thank you in advance for your help!

Dear Legal Community, I am seeking advice regarding a residential tenancy contract renewal in Ras Al Khaimah. Situation: Property: Residential unit in Ras Al Khaimah. Current Annual Rent: AED 27,000. Contract Expiry: December 21st, 2025. Landlord's Proposal: Increase to AED 38,000 (approx. 41% increase). Notification Date: October 1st, 2025 (81 days before expiry). My Questions: Notice Period Validity: Is a notice of 81 days for a rent increase legally valid in Ras Al Khaimah, given the common requirement of 90 days' prior notice? Rent Increase Legality: Is a 41% rent increase permissible under RAK rental laws and the RAK Municipality Rental Index, or are there caps/guidelines? Tenant's Rights: What are my rights in this situation? Can I insist on renewing at the current rent (AED 27,000) due to the invalid notice? Dispute Resolution: What is the process for escalating this to the Ras Al Khaimah Rent?

Hello, I have a company in the USA, but we are still a startup, and we have an offer from a company in the UAE. However, we can't create a contract because of different laws. What can we do, please?

Hello, I have bought a property and registered it under my daughters’ names. Their ages are 16, 17, and 20 years old. The property is on handover now, and we got approval to go for a mortgage. However, I have decided to sell it. What would be the easiest way to get approval to sell the property within 1 month and to have the revenue divided as follows: 70% from the selling price will go to a better investment, and 30% will go for their education? Please advise me. FYI: I was born in the UAE, and all my daughters were born in the UAE.

Hello, I purchased two properties in Emirates City, Ajman, UAE, in 2009 and paid a booking amount of AED 212,000. After that, the developer absconded. How can I recover my money?

Hello, I would like to file for a divorce after 18 years of marriage. We are both based in Dubai, and our marriage was registered in the UK. I would like to get a divorce and keep custody of my youngest son, who is 7 years old, until he is at least 11. I also want to get alimony for him, either through monthly payments or a lump sum. We have been separated since mid-April 2025.

Dear Sir/Madam, I am currently involved in a court case against a developer who failed to fulfill his obligations under our contract. My lawyer filed the lawsuit at the beginning of the case, claiming the return of the amounts I paid. Later, the court appointed an expert. The expert has now issued his report and concluded that the developer owes me a much higher amount than what was originally claimed by my lawyer, as the expert also included items such as lost profit and other damages. I am confused and would like your guidance: in my situation, will the court’s decision be based on the expert’s report, or only on the lower amount requested by my lawyer in the lawsuit? Thank you very much for your advice. The court is in Shajrah.

Hello, I have bought a property and registered it under my daughters’ names. Their ages are 16, 17, and 20 years old. The property is on handover now, and we got approval to go for a mortgage. However, I have decided to sell it. What would be the easiest way to get approval to sell the property within 1 month and to have the revenue divided as follows: 70% from the selling price will go to a better investment, and 30% will go for their education? Please advise me. FYI: I was born in the UAE, and all my daughters were born in the UAE.

Hello, My father had some debts due in Dubai, and at that time, he was unable to pay them and still hasn’t. We left the country in 2017, but my mom and I were under his sponsorship, and we didn’t cancel our residency visas. Now I need to go back to Dubai on a work trip. I want to check if this might have any effect on me re-entering on a valid tourist visa. I’ve checked the ICP website, and it shows that my residence permit has been cancelled.

Should a legal notice be bilingual? I want to send a legal notice to my business partner (non-Arab). I went to an official translator and got an official translation into Arabic. Now I will go with three printouts to the Notary Public. It is about 8 pages in Arabic and 8 pages in English. Question: Should I only take the Arabic printout with me and get that stamped by the Notary, then ask TABLEEGH to send the English version as an attachment to the Arabic notice? Or should I take all 16 pages (8 Arabic + 8 English) and get the notary stamp on the last page? The reason I ask is that sometimes the Notary does not like long notices.

Hello, I received the final decision from the court regarding the cheque execution filed. What is the next step? How can I pay on an installment basis? How can I request the excess amount regarding the 6% of the loan amount filed, since the final verdict amount was reduced? I also made a deposit to the court of 10,000 AED. How can I request it back? I appreciate your advice, and many thanks.

Hello, I would like to file for a divorce after 18 years of marriage. We are both based in Dubai, and our marriage was registered in the UK. I would like to get a divorce and keep custody of my youngest son, who is 7 years old, until he is at least 11. I also want to get alimony for him, either through monthly payments or a lump sum. We have been separated since mid-April 2025.

Hello, I have a company in the USA, but we are still a startup, and we have an offer from a company in the UAE. However, we can't create a contract because of different laws. What can we do, please?

Hello, I have bought a property and registered it under my daughters’ names. Their ages are 16, 17, and 20 years old. The property is on handover now, and we got approval to go for a mortgage. However, I have decided to sell it. What would be the easiest way to get approval to sell the property within 1 month and to have the revenue divided as follows: 70% from the selling price will go to a better investment, and 30% will go for their education? Please advise me. FYI: I was born in the UAE, and all my daughters were born in the UAE.

Hello, I received the final decision from the court regarding the cheque execution filed. What is the next step? How can I pay on an installment basis? How can I request the excess amount regarding the 6% of the loan amount filed, since the final verdict amount was reduced? I also made a deposit to the court of 10,000 AED. How can I request it back? I appreciate your advice, and many thanks.

I currently hold a Self-Employed Residency Visa from the Dubai Development Authority (DDA – GoFreelance). I’ve been offered a new role with a U.S. university via an Employer of Record (EOR). Their attempt to apply for a labor card through MOHRE was rejected, as it’s not possible for free zone residents. They have asked me to cancel my current visa so they can sponsor me under an employment visa. My concern is that if I cancel my visa and the new employer/EOR withdraws or fails to complete the process, I’ll be left without valid residency. I’ve also been told new self-employment permits are no longer issued, only renewals, so I cannot easily return to my current status. Questions: - Does UAE law offer any protection in this scenario? - What risk-mitigation steps can I take/request before canceling? - If the process fails, what legal options remain for me to stay in the UAE?

Hello, My father had some debts due in Dubai, and at that time, he was unable to pay them and still hasn’t. We left the country in 2017, but my mom and I were under his sponsorship, and we didn’t cancel our residency visas. Now I need to go back to Dubai on a work trip. I want to check if this might have any effect on me re-entering on a valid tourist visa. I’ve checked the ICP website, and it shows that my residence permit has been cancelled.

What is the minimum outstanding balance on a telecom provider’s postpaid plan required to file a case?

Hello, I have bought a property and registered it under my daughters’ names. Their ages are 16, 17, and 20 years old. The property is on handover now, and we got approval to go for a mortgage. However, I have decided to sell it. What would be the easiest way to get approval to sell the property within 1 month and to have the revenue divided as follows: 70% from the selling price will go to a better investment, and 30% will go for their education? Please advise me. FYI: I was born in the UAE, and all my daughters were born in the UAE.

Hello, I purchased two properties in Emirates City, Ajman, UAE, in 2009 and paid a booking amount of AED 212,000. After that, the developer absconded. How can I recover my money?

Hello, My father had some debts due in Dubai, and at that time, he was unable to pay them and still hasn’t. We left the country in 2017, but my mom and I were under his sponsorship, and we didn’t cancel our residency visas. Now I need to go back to Dubai on a work trip. I want to check if this might have any effect on me re-entering on a valid tourist visa. I’ve checked the ICP website, and it shows that my residence permit has been cancelled.

Should a legal notice be bilingual? I want to send a legal notice to my business partner (non-Arab). I went to an official translator and got an official translation into Arabic. Now I will go with three printouts to the Notary Public. It is about 8 pages in Arabic and 8 pages in English. Question: Should I only take the Arabic printout with me and get that stamped by the Notary, then ask TABLEEGH to send the English version as an attachment to the Arabic notice? Or should I take all 16 pages (8 Arabic + 8 English) and get the notary stamp on the last page? The reason I ask is that sometimes the Notary does not like long notices.