Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
6 available 6 • View allHow to register e-commerce or other companies in the UAE
26
Q: Hello
I want to open an online store (e-commerce) in Dubai, it will be online clothing store and I will receive the clothes from China by courier and sell it in Dubai. Customers can complete the payment with Pay Pal.
So I would like to know if I need to register this online store, and if yes, what's the procedure. Since the items will be shipped from overseas, then maybe I do not need even to register it.
Please advise

May 8, 2018
8570
Transferring business money from online to private account

5
Q: Hello,
I have a question related to business.
I have set up a business in the UAE (Flexi desk in Free Zone). The business activity is E-Commerce. I have registered the business and obtained a UAE Investor Visa, but when it came to opening a bank account, I faced a lot of difficulties.
While I was waiting for the opening of a bank account (which took me 4 months and the banker has failed to open a bank account), I have opened a merchant account with Telr.
I started accepting payments online from my customers and right now there's money in the merchant account which can be withdrawn to a UAE business bank account (as I have mentioned earlier, I don't have a UAE business bank account).
So I have contacted them and asked if they can transfer the money to my personal bank account which is outside the UAE (US bank account or my Russian bank account).
They have stated that they can't settle funds to the bank account outside the UAE due to UAE CB rules. Can you suggest me please what I can do in this situation?


Nov 4, 2019
2704
KYC: Why banks ask for your local sponsor documents to open a business account?
0
Q: Hi,
I own a business in Abu Dhabi (a sole establishment) where I am the 100% shareholder as per trade license. The name of the Local Service Agent also appears on the Trade License as a Sponsor. The Local Service Agent is not an Owner, Partner or Manager.
While opening a business account, the bank asked me for the passport copy and Emirates ID of the Local Service Agent, is that mandatory? As the Local Service Agent is not an owner nor a partner or a manager, why the bank cannot open a business account with just my personal details?
A notarized Local Service Agent agreement was provided to the bank but they still insist on getting his passport and Emirates ID copies.

May 31, 2017
2673
Client exit letter by the bank and forcing to convert currency
2
Q: I received an exit letter from the bank for my corporate bank account after 3years of clean and smooth relationship with the bank.
We are Dubai based and in a free zone. I have 7 days to dispose of the funds which is alright but I am being told verbally that the bank would not accept to transfer the foreign currency as it is but we would need to convert them into AED.
The concern is that if I do so the company will incur a huge loss. Is the bank allowed to impose the conversion of all foreign currency? What is the way out, please?
Appreciate your legal advice.

Nov 5, 2020
499
Transferring money from the US LLC company to the personal Emirati account
6
Q: Hello,
I am a resident of the UAE. I own 2 businesses; a Freezone company in Dubai for my consulting activities and an LLC in the USA for my commercial activities.
So I have 2 business accounts, one in the UAE for my Freezone and one in the USA for my LLC. Do I have the right to transfer funds from my US LLC directly to my personal Emirati account?
Will these funds be considered as salary or dividends? Do I have to produce documents?
Thank you in advance!

Mar 6, 2021
995
How to withdraw money from the company account before it makes profits?
1
Q: Hello,
I would like to incorporate an LLC in the UAE, but it is unclear when the company will make profits.
How can I withdraw money from my business account?
In the US, that can be done via owner’s draw. Is this similar or does that work differently?

Jan 14, 2022
646
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allAn Overview of the Legal Framework for Entrepreneurs in the UAE 4
Over the years the UAE has become a centre of trade and commerce for the Middle East, thanks to its strategic location, excellent connectivity and extensive services to assist with all aspects of business. According to the World Bank's 2016 report, the UAE has ranked 31st in the global index of ease of doing business. This encourages more entrepreneurs to set up different kinds of business entities in the country.
Mar 14, 2017
6315
Laws & Regulations
2 available 2 • View allFederal Law No. (2) of 2015 On Commercial Companies 15
The provisions of this Law apply to the commercial companies established in the UAE and the foreign companies that have established in the UAE a base to conduct any activity therein or established a branch or representative office. The Law abrogates Federal Law No. (8) of 1984 Concerning Commercial Companies.
Mar 25, 2015
29524
Federal Law No. (4) of 2002 On the Incrimination of Money Laundering 1
The law defines the crimes related to money laundering, commitments and the jurisdictions of the governmental authorities, and the sanctions against perpetrators of money laundering.
Jan 22, 2002
1793

Premium
Other answers by
1288 1288 answers •
View allHow to file an online defamation case from the Philippines against someone in Dubai? 0
Hello,
I'm currently looking for legal advice regarding an online defamation case. I am a Filipino citizen currently residing in the Philippines. The person I want to file a complaint against is also a Filipino citizen and is currently based in Dubai.
I have already sought legal consultation, but it cost me a lot for just a simple session. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can afford to proceed with the fees required for sending a warning or demand letter to the person I’m complaining about.
I would really appreciate any help, guidance, or information about possible free or low-cost legal services.
Thank you for your time!
Apr 11, 2025
63
What can I do if my creditor used my blank cheque to put an amount more than my unpaid balance? 0
Hi,
I have issued a blank cheque for my EMI, and now the company is using my blank cheque and putting any amount to deposit it.
My total unpaid balance is AED 19000, but they mentioned AED 42,030 on the cheque and another AED 10000. They told me they will deposit it to file a case.
What is my remedy on this matter?
Thank you.
Apr 10, 2025
64
I have unpaid bank loan and credit cards in Dubai and got a job offer from Kuwait. Can I go there? 0
I have a bank loan in Dubai of AED 20000 and two credit cards from different banks (5000+5000), and the total is AED 30000.
The liability is in Dubai. I left Dubai 10 years ago. Now I have a job offer from Kuwait.
Can I go there?
Apr 10, 2025
91
What are the penalties for employing workers without a visa? 0
Hello,
Kindly let me know the statutory provisions relating to the penalty for letting employees work without a visa and the amount of penalty to be paid by the employer.
Apr 9, 2025
51
What are the legal consequences of my partner's voluntary withdrawal from our company? 0
Hello,
My partner voluntarily withdrew from our company which we established in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
We established this company on July 1, 2024. Until now, there is no income or revenue. What is the legality?
Apr 9, 2025
66

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Other answers by
240 240 answers •
View allHow to change the lease contract for an entity that changed from sole establishment to LLC? 0
Good morning.
Kindly help me out with the below query:
If a sole establishment is converted into an LLC, what would happen to the existing Lease Agreement with the Sole Establishment as the tenant?
Thank you.
Aug 23, 2024
115
Bank filed a civil case over a loan: Better to settle with the bank or in court? 0
Good day, Sir,
I have received a message from the Dubai Court stating that a bank has filed a civil case against me. The loan has been pending since February 2019.
I cleared the cheque bounce case earlier with a court fine in 2019. I am looking forward to a minimum settlement plan with the bank. The outstanding amount was around 70,000 AED, and now the message is for 115,000 AED.
What will be the best way for me to proceed: approaching the bank or dealing with it in court?
Best regards,
Jul 7, 2024
521
Is it legal for my employer to withhold my salary until I leave the country or change status? 0
Hello,
I have given my notice, and my last day is July 24, but the employer is refusing to pay my salary; even the salary for June. Is this even legal?
He claims I'll get everything at once, which is after leaving the country or changing status.
Jul 2, 2024
529
Demanding that an employee pay for visa charges a year after resigning 0
Dear Lawyers,
I worked at a bakeshop here in Dubai. I resigned exactly one year ago. Now they want me to pay for visa charges, as stated in the offer letter.
If I cannot pay for the charges, my employer will claim financial loss due to the damages, estimated to be at least 7,000 AED.
What should I do about this? My monthly salary is only 2,800 AED.
Jul 1, 2024
115
Is an employee eligible for maternity leave in the first three months of pregnancy? 0
Dear Lawyers,
Is an employee eligible for maternity leave in the first three months of pregnancy?
If an employee takes sick leave in the first three months of pregnancy, can it be considered normal sick leave or maternity leave?
Jul 1, 2024
171

Other answers by
109 109 answers •
View allCancellation of SPA for delay in delivery and defaulting on payments 0
Hi
I bought an off-plan property from a developer in downtown during the peak time. My payment plan was based on construction with completion being Dec 2019. I have paid more than 50%.
I requested the developer to readjust my payment plan as the project is delayed. They moved on payment forward and sneakingly changed completion date to Aug 2021 in the document. The SPA still says Dec 2019.
Now I'm struggling to pay the next payment due to COVID-19 and project is completed 56% as par Dubai land department and 60% as per the developer. The developer is asking for payment and calling me every day.
My question is can I still use the delay in the project as a clause to cancel my unit?
Can I cancel my apartment and how much can the developer deduct?
After selling me, the developer started offering customers post-handover payment plans for 4 years, which is very unfair as even if I complete my payment, no one will buy from me as the developer is selling something with 4 years post-handover.
Can legal help be provided in this regard?
Jun 7, 2020
883
Easy way to know whether a job offer is real or scam 0
I am a health professional in Canada.
Years back, I posted my CV to work in the middle east on a job site in the gulf. Last week, I got 3 emails claiming from a general hospital in Abu Dhabi, a hospital Dubai and another medicare hospital in Dubai for online recruitment.
they showed interest in my CV. All emails were from free accounts (gmail.com address). I chose then to forward an email to the concerned HR department of the concerned hospitals.
I forwarded one email to the official email of one of the hospitals (as given on the hospital site). They replied and said, yes, the email is legitimate and you can apply with confidence.
Now I got an offer letter from Dubai hospital with handsome salary offer but from a Gmail address. They're asking me to start position in one month only and asking to contact a travel agency based in Dubai.
Is it a scam or true? I have forwarded the email to the HR department of the hospital to determine authenticity.
Jun 7, 2020
14628
Employee rights in case of changing an unlimited contract to a limited contract 0
Hi,
What is the law if an employer wants to change a contract from an unlimited to a limited contract?
Is the employer liable to pay the 3 months arbitrary dismissal (if valid) + other monies owed prior to changing the current unlimited contract to a limited contract?
Jun 7, 2020
4878
Terminating the SPA and claiming refund for changing specifications 0
Can a developer change the layout of the building as shown at the launch event and part of all brochures/online advertisements/model under the pretext that the same is not included in the SPA?
For the launch, we got convinced with the building design and layout but at delivery, it’s changed without prior intimation.
Can I make a legal case or can they take the guise that it’s not part of the SPA?
Can I get a refund for the 30% advance payment and refuse possession of the unit?
Jun 8, 2020
699
Inability to continue paying the installments of a property because of COVID-19 0
Hi sir,
I live in the UK. I am an investor and a broker for a property development company. One of my customers bought an off-plan property from it i.e just Cavalli Villa 2 years ago. 33% was completed and handover is due in 2021.
My client paid part of the deposit around AED 390000 (£80000) and she has been paying to the project for the last two years until early this year when COVID- 19 hit the UK. Since then, she has been ill and lost her job and, therefore, she is unable to pay.
My customer received a letter from the company saying that if the outstanding amount is not paid within 30 days, then they will take her to court. They say that they would cancel her plot and she will lose all MONEY paid so far.
My client needs payment delay until her situation improves but this request has been declined. The money secured under the ESCROW account. Can the developer have the power to take money from the escrow account?
What is her right under Dubai law? Can she do anything to avoid court order? The UK is in lockdown at the moment with no proper or normal banking functions.
Thank you!
Jun 9, 2020
1511
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