Q: Good day! I'm a resident of the UAE now. I had an unpaid bank loan in Saudi Arabia way back in 2014. Now, Bilkish agency, a debt collection agency, keeps on calling me to pay my debt in just a few days. I can't afford to pay immediately because I'm not earning too much. An agent said she will make sure the bank will block me here in the UAE. Does the collection agency have the right to block me in immigration or put me into travel ban here in the UAE? Thank you so much for your reply.

Q: I am in Africa, and I left Dubai before settling my loan. I am being contacted by an independent debt collector. I am outside the UAE, what are my options if I ignore the debt collector? How can I get a clearance certificate from the bank & police?

Q: Dear Sir, I have an outstanding loan and I have left KSA because I lost my job 2 years ago. The bank has used a legal firm in Dubai to contact me. Since I'm jobless for 2 years, I cannot afford to make payments. Can I pay with the new payment schedule, with a lower installment that I can afford? I think if we continue to make payments (any amount) the legal team has no right to block me from entering KSA in the future. Please advise.

Q: Hi, I have unpaid debt in Saudi Arabia and have been contacted by TAHSEEL to say that there are now travel restrictions for me. Are these travel restrictions only applicable in GCC countries or do they include European Countries?

Q: Hi, May you and your family be blessed. I'm extremely tense and need your kind feedback on the following issue. If I have a travel ban in KSA, can I travel to the UAE on a work visa? I have been visiting Dubai on a tourist visa without any problems. The ban was imposed because I had to leave KSA suddenly and could not return after an exit-entry, and I was unable to pay back my car EMI and credit card payment totaling 30k SAR, which I intend to pay off gradually now. When I left KSA, they only had my fingerprints at the time. I also understand that while coming for a visit to Dubai, only a retinal scan is done. On the other hand, when obtaining a work visa, UAE takes and registers fingerprints as well. Could this lead to any issues for me? I have finally obtained a better-paying job after a long time and can finally save up to pay off my debts. The case registered for which the travel ban is imposed is only for SAR 16000. As of now, I cannot afford to hire a lawyer to check in UAE. Thank you for your help!

Q: I live in Dubai and I have outstanding loans and credit card debts with 5 different Singapore banks totaling about 500,000 AED (converted from SGD). I do not have the means to make even the minimum payments. If the banks in Singapore got a judgment against me and then come to the UAE court to enforce the judgment, what would happen to me?

Q: I have around 130k USD in credit card debt across three companies in Hong Kong. I have been trying to negotiate settlements with them but not all are being accommodating. What would be the next steps from these companies to recover the debts from me (as a Dubai resident) if they are unwilling to accept my repayment offers? Are they likely to pursue claims through a Dubai court? I have no assets at all and earn a fixed wage on a fixed-term contract.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, What is the minimum loan amount due for Interpol to file a case and arrest an expatriate?

The UAE travel ban may be imposed on a person on various grounds, for instance, as the result of criminal offences, unpaid loans, breach of immigration laws or family matters. Implications of such a ban can be financially severe and daunting for the affected person. This article aims to give readers a clear understanding of what is the UAE travel ban, what are the grounds and procedures for its imposition and removal, how to check if the person is banned from travelling and other related topics.