Q: I approached an immigration consultancy in Dubai for a Canada work permit, we signed an agreement and I paid AED 28,600. The agreement said if the company doesn't process my work permit within 6 - 8 months, I will be entitled to a full refund within 90 working days. The company defaulted on the processing time and I requested and signed a refund document with the company stating that a "refund will be given within 90 working days". From the look of things, the company isn't willing to refund the money after 90 working days. In this case, what should I do or where should I complain to get my money back from the company ASAP? Note: my visa will expire on February 24, 2023, and the 90 working days for the company to refund me will end on February 04, 2023. Thanks for your assistance.

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: 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, This is R. from London. I am writing to seek legal help on account of immigration fraud. I had signed a contract with a company called [-----], located in Dubai under DED. They had claimed that they can get me a sponsorship job within 6 months and if not, then I will be entitled to a full refund. However, they have misled and misguided me on multiple occasions. They first sent me the initial job opportunities for Malta and when I pointed it out to them, they apologized and sent me job applications for London. When the period of six months was over, I requested a refund and they claimed that it has not yet been six months as weekends and holiday periods (Eid holidays, etc) were not included in the six-month period. Them they sent me a separate email explaining this although it has not been mentioned anywhere in the contract. It has been over 8 months and they are still refusing to give me the refund. Kindly help me regarding this. I want to get my money back.

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!

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.