Hi, I am a non-Muslim indian expatriate, residing in Dubai since 2015. The first 5 years, I was on a working visa, and after the delivery of my first baby, I left my job and became dependent on my husband. In 2018, we bought a house together where I invested AED 2 hundred thousand from my income (I have proof in the form of a cheque). I also paid AED 3300 monthly installment for 1 year, for a personal loan taken out for the house. But in spite of my resistance, my husband tactfully put the house in his name, so the title deed was in his name. In 2024, when my kids and I were in India for vacation, he cancelled our visas and residency. He also filed for a divorce in India. The divorce is not yet finalised, and we are still married. Since August 2024, he hasn't let me access my house in Dubai, so I filed a case, which eventually went in my favor in January 2025. Since I used to travel on a visit visa, I left for India and returned in March, to find out that my husband had already sold the house. The new owner is residing there. What can I do now? Help!

I recently joined a new organization in the Hamriyah Free Zone, and my previous organization has not released my end-of-service benefits. The HR has instructed the finance team not to do so because I had contacted one of their clients. In my DMCC contract, there is no Non-Compete clause, but the offer letter has one, and now they are not releasing the end-of-service. Is this legal? What are my rights?

Hi I'm a nanny, and at the same time, I work as a housemaid (khadama) here in the house. I work, but as I know, the nannies and housemaids have different rights, and my employer doesn't give me rest. My work starts at 7:30 am and then finishes at 10 pm or less. It depends on whether the baby is asleep or what time they will take on me if not yet asleep. Is this right? Also, at the time of eating, I'm still working because the baby is with me, so I just let her sit in her chair. That's how I eat. Please answer me. I want to know my rights. Because if I can leave during the 6-month probation, I want to take it if the employer is this kind. I don't know. They are also expats, but they don't follow the rules of the UAE regarding a housemaid.

Hello, I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year. My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID. Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases? The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority. I look forward to your response. Thanks.

Hello, I came from Dubai to India on emergency leave, but unfortunately, I did not return. It has now been 12 years. Can I go to Dubai on a new visa? I have already received a new employment visa from another employer. Can I return to Dubai, or will there be any problems with UAE immigration? Please advise!

Hello, I came from Dubai to India on emergency leave, but unfortunately, I did not return. It has now been 12 years. Can I go to Dubai on a new visa? I have already received a new employment visa from another employer. Can I return to Dubai, or will there be any problems with UAE immigration? Please advise!

Is it possible for a foreigner to get a divorce here in Dubai?

Hello, There is a helper that I would like to employ through an agency, but this helper is currently under a private contract with an employer. She has been under this contract for 6 months. How would she be able to leave that job and come work for me under an agency? Would she need to pay back any visa costs? Legal advice would be much appreciated.

Hello I joined my new company on February 26, 2025. Upon joining the new company, I asked HR if it was free to join the company, and she said yes. After working with them for 1 month, I experienced a salary delay, and I had to go to the office to ask why there was a delay in my salary. That is when the HR told me she deducted my whole salary to recover the transfer fee. Now my question is, who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer?

I live in Dubai and I have a one-year rental contract with my landlord. According to the agreement, I must tell the landlord at least 90 days before the contract ends whether I want to renew it or leave. I followed the rule and sent them an email before the 90-day deadline, saying that I want to renew. They replied and said okay, and they asked me to send the new contract so they could sign it. I prepared the new contract (with the rent price fixed according to RERA rules) and sent it to them about two weeks ago. But since then, they haven’t replied or signed the contract. I think maybe they are waiting to see if someone else will offer more money to rent the apartment, so they are delaying their response. Now I am wondering: if they finally send back the signed contract after a long delay—let’s say in one more week—and by that time I’ve changed my mind (for example, I found a better apartment or I’m leaving the country), am I legally required to continue with this landlord?

Dear Sir/Madam, If an employee is still on probation period, can the employer terminate the contract with 14 days' notice even if the employment contract states 30 days' notice? The company is under MOHRE.

Dear Sir/Madam, I reside in a Dubai community, and my tenancy renewal is approximately 95 days away. The landlord is proposing a 15% rent increase, primarily based on rents listed on propertyfinder.ae, claiming that my current rent is 25% below market rates. However, the RERA Rental Index indicates "no increase in the rental value" as my rent is at the top of the quoted range, prompting me to reject the proposed increase. The real estate broker he hired at the time of my move-in recently contacted me, serving as an intermediary, mentioning that he would conduct a DLD valuation, likely resulting in a higher value. However, he is attempting to negotiate first, considering the cost of around 2500 AED. If we were to dispute, is the RERA Index Calculator the sole authoritative source for determining rent increases? Additionally, if the DLD valuation is accepted, what is the potential maximum increase?

Hello, I have a commercial execution case for the recovery of payments. I sent a notification to the local owner (100% ownership of the LLC), but I see that the company has closed its office and its license has expired. How can the courts get the money ordered in the judgment? Thank you!

Dear Sir/Madam, My work visa was rejected. When I visited the immigration office, they told me to come with my company's PRO. I did, and my PRO told me that my visa was rejected for security reasons. I don't understand why my work visa was rejected, as I don't have any cases in India or the UAE. I am new to the UAE. Can anyone please help me resolve this issue? What can I do? Is there any alternative to clear this?

I am a 50% shareholder in a company at RAKEZ, and the 50% shareholder is my partner who has left the country and will not return. I cannot run the company alone. Next month the company is due for renewal, the expenses of which I cannot afford. I want to close the company. RAKEZ people say file a case and bring court papers to close the company. Where can I go, what should I do, can I get help? I do a small job in the shop.

السلام عليكم، أود الاستفسار بشأن قضية إبعاد زوج خالتي من دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة. زوج خالتي كان مقيماً في الإمارات وكان قد وُلد وترعرع هناك. في عام 2013 تم إبعاده من الإمارات، وكان ذلك نتيجة لسياسات حكومية كانت تستهدف مجموعة من المقيمين في تلك الفترة، وهو لم يكن قد ارتكب أي مخالفة في ذلك الوقت وكان يُعتبر ضحية للسياسات المتبعة. أرغب في معرفة الإجراءات التي يجب أن أتبعها حالياً من أجل رفع هذا الإبعاد وتمكينه من العودة إلى الإمارات. أرجو أن توضح لي كيف يمكنني مساعدته في هذا الموضوع. شكراً جزيلاً.

Hello, My sister filed a criminal case against her employer (sexual harassment), and it is already with the Public Prosecutor. Her employer refuses to compensate her at all. Can we file a civil claim? When should we do it? Can we still file a civil claim after the judgment of the case?

Hello, I'm a Malaysian and have worked with a company registered in Dubai. I'm based in Malaysia and have been working with them since 2008. Recently, the company has been facing financial trouble and offered me a 60% pay cut, which I did not agree to. I offered them two options: to temporarily cut my salary by 20%, or to pay me retrenchment compensation based on my contract (which is based on Malaysian law). Please advise me on my next course of action if the company cuts my salary by 60% without my consent.

Hello, We are a building materials trading company based in the UAE. We supplied materials worth AED 50,000 to a customer around 8 months ago, but despite repeated follow-ups and reminders, no payment has been made to date. We would appreciate guidance on the following: 1. What legal action can we take to recover the amount? 2. What documents should we have ready (e.g., delivery notes, invoice, emails)? 3. How long does the legal process typically take in the UAE for such cases? 4. Is there a recommended timeline or deadline after which legal steps should be initiated? Thank you in advance for your advice!

السلام عليكم هل يمكن الزواج من إماراتي عسكري متقاعد عالمعاش بدون تقديم موافقه من جهه العمل؟ وإذا تم الزواج فعلاً، هل يتاثر الزوج أو يتعاقب؟ وفي حال لم يقل الزوج مكان عمله، هل المأذون له طريقه ليعرف جهه العمل؟ هل يمكن الزواج عن بعد إذا كان الولي (الأخ) خارج الإمارات ولا يحمل هويه إماراتيه؟ وهل يجب فقط الشهود من نفس جنسيه الزوجة؟ هل هذا شرط ؟ واذا لم يتوفر، لا أستطيع تقديم طلب نهائي من شهود جنسيات أخرى مع العلم أن الزواج خارج المحكمة مع مأذون في عجمان. مع العلم أن الزوج إماراتي متقاعد والزوجه أردنية (مطلقه مع شهادة طلاق صادرة من وزارة العدل بينونة كبرى) وشهادة وفاة ولي الأمر (والدي) من الإمارات، وفحص طبي من الإمارات.

Hi Lawyers, Many individuals have invested in a Forex trading company based in the UAE. Should we hire a lawyer to file a case, or can we report it to the police station to summon the involved party, allowing them to settle and refund our money? The company is not regulated in the UAE, yet it accepts payments in the UAE and manipulates trades, causing clients to lose their money. Please help us. Thank you!

Good day, One person owes me 50,000 dirhams and was supposed to return the entire amount, including the monthly investment with 5% interest. However, he has suddenly disappeared and is not returning the principal amount or the interest. I have not received any security check from him. Can I take him to court or explore other options to ban him in this country?

Hi, I need help in filing an infidelity complaint with the Dubai police. The perpetrator is a serial sex abuser who holds an EU passport and resides in Dubai. He is English-speaking. Please provide me with the necessary procedures and post-submission processes. I can verify the power of attorney (POA) via UAE Pass.

I am in India right now and I wanted to cancel my work visa in the UAE but my employer is not willing to cancel it. If I stay more than 6 months, will my visa be canceled automatically? After that, will I face any problems coming back to find a new work or when I get a new visa?

I have a travel ban (blacklisted) issued from the UAE due to an unpaid credit card outstanding (approx AED 20k). Can I enter Saudi Arabia on a visit visa (French citizen) and how long will the travel ban last?