Q: I had lost my job in the UAE. Due to some unavoidable circumstances, I had to return to India and was unable to pay my credit card dues (AED $9,700.00). It has been 4-5 years now. I would like to know if there is a travel ban/court case/arrest warrant against me as I would like to travel to the UAE for some urgent work. What is the time frame to check the status and clear all legal issues before I can travel? I would like to make sure everything is clear before I can travel.

Q: I left the UAE last year with some credit card debt and despite emails to the bank asking for methods to pay from overseas, they never provided the information. They handed the debt to debt-collectors who harassed some people in the UAE telling them there was a travel ban on me. I always wanted to pay the debt, I have numerous emails (to two debt-collecting companies and the bank) offering to do this with a payment plan and yet none of them has responded. My questions: 1. How do I find out if there is a case against me? 2. How do I find out if there is a travel ban? (I would like to return to work in the UAE). 3. How can I negotiate payment with establishments that refuse to communicate? 4. Can I put a complaint into the Central Bank and ask for the debts to be wiped out considering the lack of response to my attempts to pay? Please advise and I will be happy to pay for the appropriate service. Thank you.

Q: Good afternoon, I need a legal advice: I have an unsettled bank debt in the UAE. I have lost my job in 2017 and I was not able to pay my instalments. After discussing with the bank, the bank agreed not to initiate any legal action against my liabilities, in order to return to the UAE to search for a job. I got a police clearance certifying that I’m of good conduct. My question is : Does this clearance guarantee that there is no arrest warrant /travel ban against me? Note: it is mentioned on the clearance: "the department is not responsible for legal rights of others". What does it mean? Appreciate your response! Thank you!

Q: Hi everyone. I need help regarding a criminal case. I lost my job years ago in Dubai and while in the search for a new job, my passport expired in that period. I came to my country to renew it and meanwhile, after only 3 weeks of not paying the monthly installment, the bank opened a criminal case against me. I couldn’t return and all the debt collectors threatened me for months. Besides the abusive way, and the short timing of action of the bank against me, I wish to return to Dubai. I need a safe way but I am not able to pay the bank until I find a job there. Is it enough only to pay the fine to the police? What are the steps to arrive safely there? I need clear and good advice and future collaboration with a lawyer also. Thank you

Q: I would like to ask about the situation of my friend. He got a loan in the UAE and because of the Covid, he lost his job. He went back to the Philippines and now he wants to come back to Dubai to get a chance to pay his loan. What steps does he need to do so he can come to the UAE without getting in trouble?

Q: Hi Sir. My name is K. A. D. P. I have been working in Dubai since 2005. But unfortunately, in 2017 I lost my job and the company closed. So I didn't know what to do because my family is with me and I have a flat with 2 cheques pending that I can't pay. My personal loan balance is 17000 thousand. I have no other option I took my family and moved back to Sri Lanka to drop them but the situation stopped me from coming back to Dubai now. I need to come back but I believe I have these 2 cases against me. Before I come I need to know any fine I have to pay or any other punishment I got. Please, Sir, do let me know. I need help from the Dubai police. Kindly help me. Thanks

Q: Hello I was working between 2016 and 2020 in a company. The owners ran away without any notice during the Covid lockdown. Due to the lockdown, I couldn't get a new job, so I decided to leave the UAE with my family. I have no intention to cheat anyone, but unfortunately, I could not pay any credit card dues until now. I got a good job again in the UAE. After the cheque bounce case was decriminalized - is there a chance to stop me at the airport? Now, I am working in business development so I need to travel to other countries as well. How can we check any travel ban, criminal case, and civil case? I can be ready to pay in installments one by one. The total amount is around AED 120,000 for 5 credit cards. One more question: In my new company, I need to visit various countries for work purposes at the time if I pay a fine in court/if no civil case against me. Can I get a police clearance certificate to travel to other countries or apply for a visa to other countries? Advanced thanks to all and looking forward to hiring a lawyer to solve this problem.

Q: I still have an outstanding amount balance on my credit card in Dubai and the last payment was made 7 years ago. I was not able to pay in installments as I lost my job and went back to my home country and have not returned to the UAE. How can I settle the amount to avoid a ban and is the amount still valid or the bank is insured on the outstanding amount?

The management of individual financial affairs is crucial and all the actions must be weighed down while committing to any financial liability. Whether it's job loss that may have lead to financial failure or the opposite, one must be aware of the personal liability which will not diminish by paying fines for cheque bounce cases. There are two major types of liabilities, criminal liability and civil liability. Each has its own significance, hence, must be dealt with accordingly.

An interview-format article covering the topic of the travel ban and reasons leading to it in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

With the introduction of the new procedures for obtaining a power of attorney (POA) remotely in the UAE, after it was mandatory to appear in person in front of the notary public as a global rule to ensure the identity and intention of the person requesting a POA, we put between your hands this brief guide for how you get it done.