Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
4 available 4 • View allCan I enter the UAE without getting arrested if I have a pending credit card debt?



2
Q: I left Dubai in 2017 with a credit card debt of AED 40,000 left due to illness. Since then, I've been attempting to negotiate a payment plan with the bank.
However, they consistently reject my offers and insist on full payment in one lump sum. I have repeatedly asked for documentation and proof of the debt but in the last 6 years, the bank has failed to provide any proof or documentation.
I check regularly and no police report has been filed against me. Recently, I was notified by the bank that they have lost my security cheque and therefore cannot file a police report. Is this true?
What implications does this have on my UAE status?
Can I safely enter the UAE without the risk of arrest?




Jun 14, 2023
234
The effect of an outstanding credit card loan on the issuance of a new work visa
7
Q: Hi Maam,
Good day!
My bank emailed me that they filed a civil case against me since I have not paid my credit card amount 50,000 AED for almost 8 months now.
I lost my job due to COVID 19, I am totally broke. Now my question is:
I finally found a new job, they are working on my employment visa but I am very anxious; thinking that this pending case against me may affect my employment visa application! Will this be a reason for future visa rejection?
Please enlighten me!

Aug 15, 2020
3922
Is it possible to settle credit card debts after losing job and leaving the UAE?
1
Q: Hi,
I was laid off in June 2020 during COVID19 and had credit cards in several banks. I had to leave the country but was still paying the banks up until September 2021.
So I was getting calls from the bank, and the last one was maybe in December 2021. A new law came into effect this January, so the cheque bounce was decriminalized but the civil case is still there and a new option of some kind of execution is also there now.
I don't know if I got any cheque bounce, do I get a notification on my email or SMS on my mobile? (My mobile is still active and I am outside of Dubai since then).
Also, want to ask- under the new rule does the execution smth can lead to imprisonment and/or a travel ban? And if yes then for how long?
Will I be able to come to Dubai and find a job if the execution case is there?
Thank you

Feb 7, 2022
534
Will my outstanding loan affect my ability to get a work visa if I return on a visit visa?




3
Q: Dear Lawyers,
I have a bank loan, and I left Dubai in 2018. Now my company is asking me to come on a visit visa, and then they will change my visit visa into a work visa.
However I am scared that my outstanding loan will affect my visa application, and I will not be able to change my visa.
Please answer!





+2
Aug 10, 2024
848
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allThe Consequences of Job Loss and Defaulting on Financial Liabilities 26
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.
Feb 12, 2019
18990
What is a Travel Ban & How Does it Work in the UAE? 13
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.
Mar 9, 2020
6686
Laws & Regulations
1 available 1 • View allFederal Law No. (5) of 1985 On the Civil Transactions Law of the United Arab Emirates 96
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.
Dec 15, 1985
148646

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Request for legal guidance regarding employer harassment and premature asset retrieval demand (1) 0
Respected Law Team Members, I am writing to seek genuine legal advice and guidance for our friend regarding an ongoing issue with her employer.
On 23rd May 2025, she received a termination notice via WhatsApp from her sponsor, which clearly states that she is required to complete her handover by 20th June 2025.
Since receiving the notice, however, her sponsor has been repeatedly contacting her via WhatsApp and phone calls, pressuring her to immediately return the company laptop and office cabinet keys, despite the agreed-upon handover date.
In addition, she has been verbally accusing my friend and making threatening remarks, creating a hostile environment, and causing her emotional distress.
To clarify her legal position, she contacted MOHRE, who advised her to reshare the termination notice to the lady employer about the handover date (20th June 2025) as she outlined in the (Cont-1)
May 30, 2025
8
My friend was caught by CID inside a massage centre. What will be the next step they will take? 0
Hi
My friend was caught by CID inside a massage centre in the waiting area while he was waiting for a massage. Now his Emirates ID is with the Ajman police.
What will be the next step they will take?
May 29, 2025
15
How can I remove a travel ban or avoid arrest if I left the UAE with an unpaid rent case? 0
In 2018, I was involved in a dispute concerning unpaid rent related to a property managed by [-----] under the jurisdiction of the Land Department. [----] proceeded with legal action, resulting in a civil case and the imposition of a travel ban.
A civil case had been reported in an Arabic-language newspaper. Not being fluent in Arabic, I missed the Land Department hearing, and the obvious outcome included an order for payment and a travel ban, but I had already left the country by that time.
questions:
Statute of Limitations: After how many years does such a civil case expire under UAE law, thereby allowing me to legally return to Dubai without facing arrest or enforcement actions?
International Travel: Am I currently at risk of arrest or extradition if I travel to non-GCC countries like India or Pakistan?
Forgive my brevity and rudeness due to 1000-character limits
May 29, 2025
21
Is it obligatory to issue an invoice for my customer to process his down payment? 0
Hello sir,
Is it obligatory to issue an invoice for my customer to process his down payment?
Our system doesn't allow us to issue an invoice unless the goods exist in our inventory. We also require this advance or down payment as confirmation of his order.
My customer is insisting on issuing him an invoice and says that this is required by UAE laws.
May 29, 2025
12
How can my kids learn about their father's condition without contacting his family? 0
Good morning,
I have two kids. Their father is in critical care and is not able to communicate, and we have been divorced for more than seven years.
The other side of the family is not communicating with the kids about the father's whereabouts for them to visit him, and they have not been in touch with the kids for the past two weeks due to family issues that took place in court regarding guardianship of the kids.
How can I find a way for our kids to know what is going on with their father and his condition without reaching out to them, to avoid any further escalation?
My daughter has tried to call them, but there was no response.
Please advise!
May 29, 2025
8

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How can I remove a travel ban or avoid arrest if I left the UAE with an unpaid rent case? 0
In 2018, I was involved in a dispute concerning unpaid rent related to a property managed by [-----] under the jurisdiction of the Land Department. [----] proceeded with legal action, resulting in a civil case and the imposition of a travel ban.
A civil case had been reported in an Arabic-language newspaper. Not being fluent in Arabic, I missed the Land Department hearing, and the obvious outcome included an order for payment and a travel ban, but I had already left the country by that time.
questions:
Statute of Limitations: After how many years does such a civil case expire under UAE law, thereby allowing me to legally return to Dubai without facing arrest or enforcement actions?
International Travel: Am I currently at risk of arrest or extradition if I travel to non-GCC countries like India or Pakistan?
Forgive my brevity and rudeness due to 1000-character limits
May 29, 2025
21
How can my kids learn about their father's condition without contacting his family? 0
Good morning,
I have two kids. Their father is in critical care and is not able to communicate, and we have been divorced for more than seven years.
The other side of the family is not communicating with the kids about the father's whereabouts for them to visit him, and they have not been in touch with the kids for the past two weeks due to family issues that took place in court regarding guardianship of the kids.
How can I find a way for our kids to know what is going on with their father and his condition without reaching out to them, to avoid any further escalation?
My daughter has tried to call them, but there was no response.
Please advise!
May 29, 2025
8
Can my husband take our 2-year-old daughter abroad without my consent? 0
Hello,
My husband has been threatening that he will take my 2-year-old daughter to Pakistan and leave her there with his family.
He has said this several times and has confirmed to my dad that he will be taking my daughter in the coming few weeks. We are both on his sponsorship.
What are my rights in the UAE? Can my husband travel with a minor without the mother's consent? How can I stop him from taking my daughter to Pakistan? Do I have any legal standing if I am under his sponsorship?
May 29, 2025
11
Tenant demanding more than RDC verdict. Must I pay before the execution file is issued? 0
Good day,
I am a landlord, and my tenant filed a case with the RDC. The verdict was in his favor, and I am to pay the financial claim, which is the fees and expenses of the case.
The tenant asked for a specific amount, which is higher than the official receipt that the RDC provided. So, I have paid that exact amount directly to the tenant.
Naturally, the tenant asked for more. May I ask for guidance regarding the procedure?
It has not been 15 days since the verdict, so I have been told by the RDC that the case is not final, and I must wait for the execution file to determine the exact amount.
While I am happy to wait for that, my tenant has been threatening to open an execution file if I do not pay before the 15th day. She mentioned a travel ban as well. I feel lost and uncomfortable with the situation.
Please help me understand the procedure.
May 29, 2025
12
UAE credit card was used fraudulently abroad. Bank and police won’t act. What can I do? 0
Hello,
I had a fraudulent and unauthorized transaction on my credit card, but the bank is saying no action can be taken as it happened outside the country.
We approached the police, but they are saying to proceed legally as it happened outside the country.
May 28, 2025
18

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Can I cancel my house sale contract without extra fees after personal plans changed? 2
Dear Lawyers,
I signed a Form F with a buyer for the sale of my house as we were planning to leave the country. The contract was signed about a month ago, but the handover is not until August.
Due to personal circumstances changing, we are no longer leaving Dubai and would like to cancel Form F.
The Form F contract stipulates that we have to pay the buyer 10% of the purchase value. The real estate agent is now claiming that we also have to pay the buyer's real estate commission and the conveyancing fee.
Our understanding is that the 10% penalty is the only penalty. Which is correct, and what are the next steps to dispute this?
Also, is there any way to dispute the 10% itself under the law due to personal circumstances changing?
Jul 12, 2024
643
How to know if an offer letter I received from a company in the UAE is legit? 2
I got an offer letter from Al-Haldin Gulf Construction & Petroleum LLC. Can you please advise about the company?
Mar 18, 2024
279
Tenant always late with payments, hasn't renewed contract. What to do? 2
Hello,
I have a tenant who is always late with their payment. Their renewal was supposed to be last December 2023.
Currently, they have not signed any new contract, provided any new cheques, and have stayed for three months from December until now without paying rent.
Additionally, I just discovered that they have sublet the apartment with partitions, which is clearly stated as not allowed in the old contract.
Please let me know what should I do legally!
Mar 14, 2024
511
How soon will I receive the cancellation paper from my previous employer? 1
Dear Concern,
How long will it take to receive the cancellation paper from my previous employer?
My last working day at my current company will be on April 7, 2024.
Mar 16, 2024
328
Tenant received renewal notice, rejected proposed rent on renewal day. What next? 2
Hi,
We sent a renewal notice to our Dubai-based tenant 84 days before his contract renewal, with a 10% increase in rent.
The tenant neither agreed nor disagreed with the proposed rent and replied on the day of renewal that he wouldn't be paying the proposed rent.
Due to the argument, the landlord decided to reduce the rent, but the tenant has not yet renewed his contract. It has been 12 days since his contract expired.
Kindly suggest what could be done in this matter.
Mar 12, 2024
322
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