Q: I have paid money to the immigration firm in Dubai, they have not been able to provide me the TRC. I paid their fees plus an amount which they said is an investment in business and to be returned in a year's time. Now both my contact people are not responding to me messages and calls. Visited their office where there is a receptionist and two other women but the two men whom I have been dealing with are not there. I wonder if they have fled the country. What legal options do I have now? Would greatly appreciate your views.

Q: Hi. This is Arun from Thailand. I need a legal opinion from your concern regarding the cheating faced from a UAE-based firm named R. I. In January 2017,   my wife signed an agreement with them regarding a job offer letter to Canada. The total fees they asked for were AED 7000, but for the initial payment, I paid AED 4000 to them. They said it will take 6 months. In January 2018, they told me that presently they aren’t able to do the job offer for me because there is no current openings. After that, they gave me one more offer that they have for an Atlantic immigration program to Canada. In this case, I also believed them and they started the program. Then only I came to know that they didn’t even know how to fill the immigration application. So I told them to stop the processing and refund me the full amount on last April, but till now, they didn’t refund and they are keep on postponing. I thought to file a case against them, so I am requesting you to give me an advice on the same.

Q: We have signed an agreement in October 2020 as a “UK Start-Up visa” with immigration advisers in the UAE. According to the agreement, we have paid AED 25000/- as a full package to get the visa. After submitting the application and following up for the last 6 or 7 months, they are now disclosing and asking for endorsement fees of 50,000/- GDP, which need to pay endorsement bodies for 2 years. Earlier, they did not inform us nor mentioned it in any article of this agreement, which shows it was hidden from us at the time of signing the agreement. Due to this reason, we do not want to continue and the advisers do not agree to refund our money AED 25,000. Request for your assistance and help

Q: My husband & I applied to migration services hoping to have a chance to work in Canada. After months of waiting, we decided to withdraw our application & refund the money as per the contract. We need to wait for 24 weeks before we can claim. 1-Jun-22 is our schedule but till now 18-May-23, we didn’t receive it. They always send emails to reschedule the refund. Since we are going on vacation, we consider collecting whatever recovery they have which is 2500 each but then they send an email saying that we have only 2000. I replied & corrected them but instead, they sent an email saying we have only 1500. We were really losing hope as they keep on changing their statement. So when we meet in their office we record whatever promises the staff has given us but when they found out that we are recording they said all our entitlement for refunds is forfeited because of this action. A total of 8000 dirhams for both of us is due for a refund. Our only purpose in the recording is to have evidence of their promises. Thank you

Q: Hello respectful Sir/Madam I applied for migration to Poland through a consultancy in Dubai on December 28, 2022. They said I would get a work permit within 60 days, but it has been more than 6 months. I now need my deposited amount back, but they are saying to mail customer care. I have receipts for payment and a fake offer letter. Can you please suggest how I can get a refund legally?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I applied for a Poland job through a Dubai consultancy in 2020 and paid all of the required fees, totaling AED 11,000. The consultancy then released my work permit for Poland, which expires after one year. They then said that they would apply for my Poland visa from the Poland embassy, and I believed them. However, when I messaged them about my visa because my Poland work permit is about to expire, they suddenly asked me to pay an additional AED 3,750 to apply for a new work permit. When I said that I do not want to pay and that I would like a refund, they said that they will not refund my money. Please advise me on how to get my money back. Thanks!

Q: Respected Lawyers, I am working and living in Abu Dhabi. A year ago, I submitted my documents and paid AED 6,000 to an immigration consultancy in Abu Dhabi to help me obtain a Canada work permit. According to them, they would complete and provide the work permit within one year. However, more than a year has passed, and there has still been no positive response or progress. I requested a refund, but they sent me an email saying that they would refund me after 120 working days. Please advise me on how to file a case to get my refund as soon as possible. Thanks! Best Regards

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I paid money to a documents clearing company in Dubai to process a freelance visa for me. After receiving payment, they kept delaying and didn't even start the process. Doubting their intentions, I have demanded a refund of my payment, which they are now delaying as well. They keep promising they will do it in a day or two but are not keeping their word. I have payment proof in the form of an invoice issued by them and proof of the refund request in a WhatsApp conversation, where they repeatedly say they will do it but have not followed through. What action can I take against them to recover my money?

An interview-format article covering the topic of contracts in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

The Law sets up the legal framework for the protection of consumer rights in the UAE. The Law establishes the Higher Committee for Consumer Protection and the Consumer Protection Department, and sets up the fines for breach of its provisions.

The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.

The provisions of this Federal Law, known as the "New Consumer Protection Law", govern Consumer Protection regulations in the United Arab Emirates. The New Consumer Protection Law repeals the previous UAE Consumer Protection Law (Federal Law No. (24) of 2006 on Consumer Protection).

The provisions of this Cabinet Resolution No (12) of 2007 Concerning the Executive Regulations of Federal Law No (24) of 2006 on Consumer Protection.