Q: I'm a GCC citizen and worked in the UAE until a few years ago. I still have a housing loan. I have been paying instalments regularly. My account would be frozen… A: You are paying all your instalments on time, I do not see any reason why you must convert to give the bank further security…

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Bank request to convert the bank account after leaving the UAE

Hi Harry,

I'm lucky you are online.

I'm a GCC citizen and worked in the UAE until a few years ago and went back home. I still have a housing loan which I have been paying instalments regularly.

The bank called me and asked why my salary was not being deposited into my account for the last 3 years.

When I told them I had left, they insisted I go to them and they change my account from a salaried to an international account and in the meantime, my account would be frozen.

I'm worried if I go back they will force me to accept higher payments when the account is converted and I desperately need advice on how to deal with this.

Can they put a travel ban on me if I don't agree to pay a higher rate?

Hari Wadhwana

Al Nassar Advocates & Legal Consultants

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28 May 2019, 16:49

Dear Sir/ Madam,

Thank you for reaching out to me on this.

I understand you have a housing loan for which you haven't been paying for the last three years.

If you have given the bank any security cheque, it is possible that they must have bounced the cheque and filed a police case.

This would result in a travel ban so I wouldn't advise you to come down to the UAE without checking your travel status first.

Secondly, you can continue to pay the housing loan EMI"s from abroad, I do not see the need to convert the account.

I trust you will find this helpful.

You can reach out to me directly on 052-9495731.

Regards,

Hari Wadhwana

28 May 2019, 17:27

Hi Hari, and thank you for the quick reply.

I have been paying perfectly since the beginning but depositing money into the account.

My concern is if the bank can force me to pay more if they convert my account and make me give new cheques.

I plan to come to the UAE in 2 months and will meet you when I arrive.

29 May 2019, 05:45

Dear Sir/ Madam,

Firstly, the bank does not have any legal right to demand the conversion of your account.

Secondly, since you are paying all your instalments on time, I do not see any reason why you must convert to give the bank further security.

Lastly, I am assuming the bank must be holding a security cheque issued from you.

In these circumstances, I would not advise you to issue further cheques to them as they can easily pressurise you by bouncing the cheque and filing a police case.

Regards,

Hari Wadhwana

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