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!

The landlord has included a penalty clause stating: "In case the tenant does not give 90 days’ notice to vacate the residential premises upon termination of the one-year tenancy contract, the tenant is liable to pay a penalty equivalent to three months’ rent plus AED 1,000." Is this legally valid as per Dubai government rules? Regards,

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.

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!

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, 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?

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?

The landlord has included a penalty clause stating: "In case the tenant does not give 90 days’ notice to vacate the residential premises upon termination of the one-year tenancy contract, the tenant is liable to pay a penalty equivalent to three months’ rent plus AED 1,000." Is this legally valid as per Dubai government rules? Regards,

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!

The landlord has included a penalty clause stating: "In case the tenant does not give 90 days’ notice to vacate the residential premises upon termination of the one-year tenancy contract, the tenant is liable to pay a penalty equivalent to three months’ rent plus AED 1,000." Is this legally valid as per Dubai government rules? Regards,

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

Hello, One of my staff members, who has been working part-time as a cleaner for a tenant for five months, was accused of stealing jewellery worth AED 7,000. The tenant filed a police complaint, and she was detained for 24 hours. Later, she learned that a criminal case had been filed by the tenant. She insists she is innocent and missed her first opportunity to present a witness to the Public Prosecution. During her first hearing, the judge asked her to upload her statement and bring witnesses at the next hearing in a month. Please advise what documents, evidence, and witnesses we can prepare for her defense.

The landlord has included a penalty clause stating: "In case the tenant does not give 90 days’ notice to vacate the residential premises upon termination of the one-year tenancy contract, the tenant is liable to pay a penalty equivalent to three months’ rent plus AED 1,000." Is this legally valid as per Dubai government rules? Regards,

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.

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 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, One of my staff members, who has been working part-time as a cleaner for a tenant for five months, was accused of stealing jewellery worth AED 7,000. The tenant filed a police complaint, and she was detained for 24 hours. Later, she learned that a criminal case had been filed by the tenant. She insists she is innocent and missed her first opportunity to present a witness to the Public Prosecution. During her first hearing, the judge asked her to upload her statement and bring witnesses at the next hearing in a month. Please advise what documents, evidence, and witnesses we can prepare for her defense.

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?