Hello, The company I’m working for is asking me to pay AED 4,000 for visa costs while I am trying to resign, even though I have completed one year. Please let me know what I can do, as my passport is also with the company; they took it from me.

Hello, I have been trying to get my refund from an immigration visa service company for months now. The company promised a refund for a Europe work permit application that they never completed. Despite multiple follow-ups, I have not yet received my money back. I have all the receipts, emails, and WhatsApp messages as proof. The amount is less than AED 5,000; however, it is a big deal to me. Please advise!

Hello, How can we apply for new visas for new employees when there is an active court case? Thank you for your help!

Hi, I would like to consult about a defamation issue. Someone has posted false and damaging comments about me and my business on social media. I have screenshots as proof. I would like to know the legal process for filing a cyber complaint or defamation case under UAE law.

Hello, I need legal advice regarding my rented apartment. The landlord is refusing to return my security deposit, claiming false damages. I have photos of the flat taken when I vacated it. Can your legal team help me file a case or send a legal notice through the Rental Dispute Center?

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

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.

Good morning, I am a landlord in a case against my tenant, who has been evicted due to non-payment of rent. The court has already issued the eviction order and provided me with a list of the tenant’s furniture. I also applied for a travel ban and license blocks against the tenant. However, I recently found out that the tenant is currently in Dubai. Since I already have a catch order from the court, could you please advise me on the following: 1. How is it possible for the tenant to re-enter the UAE despite the travel ban and catch order? 2. What is the procedure for me to follow up and activate the catch order now that the tenant is in Dubai? 3. What further steps can we take to ensure the payment settlement is enforced? I would appreciate your urgent guidance on this matter. Thanks!

Hello, I don't have a non-compete clause in my contract, and I am moving to a competitor. I have given 2 months’ notice, and my current employer asked me to take 3 weeks’ garden leave until the end of my notice period. However, today I received a letter from my current employer stating that I cannot work for a competitor for a period of 1 year, and they are also telling me not to contact any suppliers, clients, or colleagues. Is this correct and reasonable? I can't be idle for a year. What can I do?

I am working in the UAE and facing issues of workplace favoritism and possible discrimination. Despite being a consistent top performer with many years of experience, I was rejected for a promotion that was instead given to someone with less experience and weaker performance. When I asked for feedback, I was given contradictory and false reasons, including being told that HR rejected me based on “how I sat in the interview,” even though it was an audio-only call. I was also told that promotions are not based on performance but on whether I had the “manager’s blessings.” In addition, I have observed: - Promotions are repeatedly going to people from the same community or close to managers. - Most of the management team belongs to one community. - Shift schedules are being changed after release to favor certain individuals. This has created a toxic environment with no fair career growth opportunities. My question is, under UAE labor law, do I have grounds to challenge this type of favoritism?

Hello, I have been trying to get my refund from an immigration visa service company for months now. The company promised a refund for a Europe work permit application that they never completed. Despite multiple follow-ups, I have not yet received my money back. I have all the receipts, emails, and WhatsApp messages as proof. The amount is less than AED 5,000; however, it is a big deal to me. Please advise!

Hello, I’m planning to start a consultancy company in Dubai and would like to understand the process, required licenses, and the differences between mainland and free zone setups. Can your firm assist with the full legal registration and the drafting of company documents?

Hi, I would like to consult about a defamation issue. Someone has posted false and damaging comments about me and my business on social media. I have screenshots as proof. I would like to know the legal process for filing a cyber complaint or defamation case under UAE law.

Hello, I need legal advice regarding my rented apartment. The landlord is refusing to return my security deposit, claiming false damages. I have photos of the flat taken when I vacated it. Can your legal team help me file a case or send a legal notice through the Rental Dispute Center?

I received a legal notice from my ex-company. They claim I breached a non-compete and confidentiality undertaking by joining another company and demand that I: • Terminate my new employment immediately, • Stop working for any competitor for 12 months, • Cease using or disclosing any confidential information, and • Cease soliciting clients, partners, or staff. I deny these allegations. I completed a full handover, have no company data, and resigned lawfully in July 2025. In fact, they never provided me with an employment visa, delayed my UAE contract by 12 months, and failed to pay me for overtime and holiday work despite repeated complaints to HR. The workplace was toxic and harmed my mental health. Now, all of a sudden, they have started threatening me to leave the current company by sending me a legal notice.

Hello, I have been trying to get my refund from an immigration visa service company for months now. The company promised a refund for a Europe work permit application that they never completed. Despite multiple follow-ups, I have not yet received my money back. I have all the receipts, emails, and WhatsApp messages as proof. The amount is less than AED 5,000; however, it is a big deal to me. Please advise!

Hi, I would like to consult about a defamation issue. Someone has posted false and damaging comments about me and my business on social media. I have screenshots as proof. I would like to know the legal process for filing a cyber complaint or defamation case under UAE law.

Hello, I need legal advice regarding my rented apartment. The landlord is refusing to return my security deposit, claiming false damages. I have photos of the flat taken when I vacated it. Can your legal team help me file a case or send a legal notice through the Rental Dispute Center?

Hello, Someone snitched, and the FTA (Federal Tax Authority) came to my factory and seized goods with unpaid tax. They seized the goods and imposed a tax penalty and fine of 1.2 million. The Police Headquarters also conducted an inquiry and let me go. Now, if I pay the tax and fine, will my liability be cleared and the travel ban removed, as the travel ban is from the Police Headquarters?

I received a legal notice from my ex-company. They claim I breached a non-compete and confidentiality undertaking by joining another company and demand that I: • Terminate my new employment immediately, • Stop working for any competitor for 12 months, • Cease using or disclosing any confidential information, and • Cease soliciting clients, partners, or staff. I deny these allegations. I completed a full handover, have no company data, and resigned lawfully in July 2025. In fact, they never provided me with an employment visa, delayed my UAE contract by 12 months, and failed to pay me for overtime and holiday work despite repeated complaints to HR. The workplace was toxic and harmed my mental health. Now, all of a sudden, they have started threatening me to leave the current company by sending me a legal notice.

Hello, The company I’m working for is asking me to pay AED 4,000 for visa costs while I am trying to resign, even though I have completed one year. Please let me know what I can do, as my passport is also with the company; they took it from me.

Hello, I have been trying to get my refund from an immigration visa service company for months now. The company promised a refund for a Europe work permit application that they never completed. Despite multiple follow-ups, I have not yet received my money back. I have all the receipts, emails, and WhatsApp messages as proof. The amount is less than AED 5,000; however, it is a big deal to me. Please advise!

My employer didn’t provide me with a visa, and I overstayed for four months. I gave him a resignation letter, and he said he would only cancel my visa if he sent me back to my country. I don’t want to go back, so I filed a complaint against him. The Labour Office called both of us to discuss the complaint and gave me two options: either to continue working with the company or to request cancellation. I chose cancellation, and they told me to give the cancellation request to my manager and work for a one-month notice period, which I did. Do you have any advice for me?

Hello, The company made a change of status for me, which expires on 7/10. My labour card expired on 23/9. I signed a 2-year contract, but they didn’t stamp the visa. The contract is now not showing in my UAE Pass app. In the MOHRE app, my 2-month contract expired on 24/9. Can I leave work now since the contract has expired, and the visa wasn’t stamped, and the contract is not showing in the UAE Pass app, which means they didn’t even submit it? I went to Tasheel, and they told me I can stop working as I have already filed a complaint with MOHRE for one week’s salary and Emirates ID fees. I started on 25/7. The employer paid me only for August. When I asked for my July salary, he gave me a warning letter with a 20% salary deduction. He then complained against me to MOHRE, but MOHRE closed his complaint. For my complaint, they asked me to keep working and wait for MOHRE’s final decision. What should I follow, as the Tasaheel agent told me the company’s license is blocked, and they will not process my contract, so he advised me to stop working and find another job?

Hello, How can we apply for new visas for new employees when there is an active court case? Thank you for your help!

Hello, Someone snitched, and the FTA (Federal Tax Authority) came to my factory and seized goods with unpaid tax. They seized the goods and imposed a tax penalty and fine of 1.2 million. The Police Headquarters also conducted an inquiry and let me go. Now, if I pay the tax and fine, will my liability be cleared and the travel ban removed, as the travel ban is from the Police Headquarters?

The company did not provide me with a visa after 10 months of working with them. They always promise that it is in process. Then they terminated me verbally.

I received a legal notice from my ex-company. They claim I breached a non-compete and confidentiality undertaking by joining another company and demand that I: • Terminate my new employment immediately, • Stop working for any competitor for 12 months, • Cease using or disclosing any confidential information, and • Cease soliciting clients, partners, or staff. I deny these allegations. I completed a full handover, have no company data, and resigned lawfully in July 2025. In fact, they never provided me with an employment visa, delayed my UAE contract by 12 months, and failed to pay me for overtime and holiday work despite repeated complaints to HR. The workplace was toxic and harmed my mental health. Now, all of a sudden, they have started threatening me to leave the current company by sending me a legal notice.

I work as a Director of Project Management in a company in DMCC. During my free time, I have tried providing Project Management Consultation to clients in the USA as a freelancer on UpWork (an Online Freelancing platform) and have seen good traction. I want to pursue this further during my free time. I am currently holding a UAE Golden Visa. 1. I would like to know if I am required to hold a freelancer permit in the UAE if I only serve clients in the USA? I don't have or plan to have any clients in the UAE or in GCC. 2. My clients in the USA have been paying me via UpWork so far, but I would like to receive this money directly via wire transfer to my UAE bank account or through online payment portals. Is this legal to do so? 3. I hold an NOC from my current employer to work on freelance projects during my free time. Can you please clarify the above questions? Jazakallah, Thank you!

I seek your advice on workplace issues in Dubai. I work full-time at a consultancy. After annual leave, I faced false allegations and harassment, and was forced to leave after refusing a salary cut linked to deployment (beyond my control). I am registered as a Person with Disabilities (outside the UAE) and was twice hospitalized. While on forced leave, I also received an email (with the contractor copied) implying misconduct/theft, harming my reputation. Could you clarify my legal rights under the UAE Labour Law (Decree 33/2021), MOHRE, and Federal Court procedures regarding: - Protection from discrimination/harassment, - Salary cuts and forced leave, - Sick leave entitlements, - Defamation and reputational harm, and - Arbitrary dismissal and compensation. What remedies can MOHRE grant, and if escalated to the Federal Court, what compensation (lost wages, damages, end-of-service, moral compensation) might I reasonably claim?

Hello, I’m planning to start a consultancy company in Dubai and would like to understand the process, required licenses, and the differences between mainland and free zone setups. Can your firm assist with the full legal registration and the drafting of company documents?

Hi, I would like to consult about a defamation issue. Someone has posted false and damaging comments about me and my business on social media. I have screenshots as proof. I would like to know the legal process for filing a cyber complaint or defamation case under UAE law.

Hello, I need legal advice regarding my rented apartment. The landlord is refusing to return my security deposit, claiming false damages. I have photos of the flat taken when I vacated it. Can your legal team help me file a case or send a legal notice through the Rental Dispute Center?

Hello, Someone snitched, and the FTA (Federal Tax Authority) came to my factory and seized goods with unpaid tax. They seized the goods and imposed a tax penalty and fine of 1.2 million. The Police Headquarters also conducted an inquiry and let me go. Now, if I pay the tax and fine, will my liability be cleared and the travel ban removed, as the travel ban is from the Police Headquarters?

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?