Questions & Answers - Legal Advice Middle East

My bank accounts were blocked in the execution of cheque criminal cases. How to unblock them?

Q: I urgently need legal assistance in Dubai. I`m facing multiple execution cases, a criminal complaint for a bounced cheque, and several personal debts under agreements. The total amount is around AED 500,000. Due to execution orders, my UAE bank accounts are blocked, some with negative balances from cheque enforcement, making it impossible to use them for settlements. I do have international accounts and can withdraw up to AED 35,000 per day, of which I am ready to allocate AED 30,000 daily for settlements and legal fees. I am looking for a licensed lawyer or firm that can represent me in all these cases, negotiate with creditors, assist in making payments (either via courts, banks, or through your office), and provide a clear roadmap to resolve everything. I also need guidance on how long banks will take to unblock accounts and clear negative balances after settlement. If I pay the bank directly, will the accounts be immediately restored and cases closed? Please share your fee estimate.

How can I close my free zone company if it has never been operational?

Q: I opened my company in a free zone last year with a third-party agent (e-commerce). It was registered for corporate tax, and I got the visa and the Emirates ID, but the company hasn`t been operational, and didn`t get a bank account. Now I got a notification that my trade license is expiring soon. I contacted a third party, and they quoted me 8,500 USD (AED 31,000) for renewal. I said, since I`m not in the UAE and not going to do any business in the UAE, I want to close it. They quoted 9,000 USD (AED 33,000) for closing, with prices like "publications in newspaper" for 1,000 USD. I found their prices unreasonably high and wanted to proceed with another company that quoted the same process for AED 5,000. I also contacted IFZA Freezone to ask how much it will cost to work with them directly, but I`m constantly being pushed by the free zone to work with an agent. I asked the agent for an NOC certificate, and they quoted it for 3,000 USD. I want to know what my rights are in all this? Should I just pay whatever price they ask for?

The bank is not lifting my travel ban despite my fulfillment of the settlement agreement. What to do?

Q: Good day, I am writing to respectfully seek your assistance regarding the lifting of my travel ban. I have been following up with the bank for over two months and, as instructed, filed a court petition, which is still pending. As per Clause 4 of the signed settlement agreement, the travel ban should be lifted after six consecutive salary transfers and payments, along with submission of an employment letter or salary certificate. I provided the bank with my employment letter and an official company email confirming the salary transfer issue due to a company labor dispute. Despite this, and after making consistent EMI payments for two years, I am now being asked for documents not included in the agreement, such as a new labor contract, salary transfer letter, and six-month bank statements. I have now raised this matter with the Head of Collections and copied the CEO, and I kindly request your urgent assistance in resolving this issue as per the terms of the signed agreement.

Can we stop deportation from the UAE after serving a sentence if we have a criminal case in our home country?

Q: Can we stop deportation from the UAE after serving a sentence if we have a criminal case in our home country, India, and there`s a threat to life and imprisonment due to that case there if we get deported?

I paid the full amout of my car loan after a case by the bank but the execution is still active. How to stop it?

Q: The bank filed repossession of the car last year, and the amount was fully paid in court almost a month ago. A petition was also filed to remove the execution, as the full amount is paid; however, there is no progress. Please advise on the process to swiftly remove the same. Thank you!

Is it legal for the real estate agent to add administrative fees while signing the contract and on each renewal?

Q: Hello, I`m about to rent a studio in [----]. When the real estate agent sent the contract and the addendum, they mentioned an Administrative Fee of AED 1,500+VAT for each renewal. As per my research, this isn`t legal. How can I request them to remove it or reduce it, without facing a rejection? Are all agencies charging this fee nowadays?

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Legal advice needed on out-pass exit permit & spouse visa process

Q: Subject: Hello, My name is M. R. F. Z., a Sri Lankan national currently in Dubai. I urgently require legal guidance regarding my immigration status and next steps. Briefly: An out-pass was issued without my knowledge due to visa complications. I need to exit the UAE on this out-pass and explore options to return on a visit visa, then adjust status to a spouse residence visa (by status change). I am uncertain whether it is mandatory for me to fly back to Sri Lanka, or if I can exit to a nearby country such as Oman or another GCC country and re-enter for the spouse visa process. Due to family circumstances, it is very difficult for me to travel to Sri Lanka at this time, so I would strongly prefer the nearest country option if legally possible. Could you please let me know if your firm handles such cases? If so, what is your consultation fee and availability for an initial discussion?

My roommate assaulted me and tried to strangle me then she called the police claiming I attacked her. What to do?

Q: I fought with my roommate. She started the fight by banging my head against the wall and strangling my neck. I was unable to breathe and remove her hands, so in order to save myself, I bit her hand. I was new in the UAE and didn’t know how to call the police. But she, being well aware of this, called the police, and the police are accusing me that you hit her, saying she had wounds. But my right eye is under treatment, and I can’t see properly from that eye. My face has all wounds.

How much will it cost for a power of attorney in Dubai for any bank transactions or financial case to handle?

Q: How much will it cost for a power of attorney in Dubai for any bank transactions or financial case to handle? Both parties have a UAE residence visa.

I got involved in a bar fight and wrongfully accused of assault and other charges. What to do?

Q: I have a misdemeanor case under investigation. What can I do and what can I expect? I got involved in a bar fight when my friend was punched in the face by the complainant. When I was about to approach him to ask him about it, he shoved me in the head. I lost balance and I grabbed him, and we both fell down, then my friend and his colleagues started beating him. CID called me for an interview, telling me that the guy complained about his watch, which I didn`t steal. Then he also complained about the harassment. Which I didn`t do as well. Now, the report is saying that I have charges of indecent assault, public intoxication, causing a riot, and public cursing. Please help me decide what to do! I`m considering hiring a criminal lawyer to help me with this.

My friend used my credit card for his bill payments and purchase. How can I recover this money?

Q: My friend used my credit card for his bill payments and purchases for his business of around AED 70k. He used my two credit cards, and now he is not repaying them. I tried to call and message him, but no reply. How can I recover this money?

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I got deported after I was caught working on visit visa due to delaying my employment visa. Can I lift the ban?

Q: Sir, I came to Dubai in 2011 on a visit visa and got a job in a company in Dubai, which delayed my employment visa. One day, a government representative visited our office and took my passport. Later on, I was deported and got a ban forever, although I paid an AED 1000 fine as well. Is there a way to lift this ban, as I didn`t commit any crime? It`s just because of that company that delayed my visa. Please suggest.

My father left the UAE and left his car with his cousin to continue loan payments. How to check his status?

Q: Dear Sir/Ma`am, I am planning to bring my father to Dubai for a visit. He left Dubai in 2009 due to serious medical reasons and left his car with his cousin, with an outstanding bank installment for the car, which was around AED 10,000. We subsequently cancelled his visa. It has been over 10 years, and I am concerned about potential fines or travel bans, as we are unsure if the remaining car payments were completed by his cousin. We are not on speaking terms with his cousin, so I cannot confirm this. I found that checking fines or travel bans usually requires an Emirates ID, but my father left Dubai before Emirates IDs were introduced and only has his passport. The company he worked for also no longer exists. Could you please advise if there is another way to check for fines? Kind regards!

How can I remove or reduce my overstay fines to remove my arrest warrant and cancel my visa?

Q: I am seeking your urgent legal assistance regarding my current situation in the UAE. I am a former Branch Manager whose residence visa expired on 23 May 2025, and I have exceeded the grace period of three months. Unfortunately, I was unable to cancel my visa due to an arrest warrant arising from non-payment issues linked to the company I was previously employed with. On 16 August 2025, I was arrested and attended the Prosecutor’s hearing on 17 August 2025. I was released with an ankle tracker under the condition that partial payment must be made by 16 September 2025. At present, I am no longer employed by the Company. My labour card has been cancelled. I have not received my final settlement or end-of-service benefits. I am a single mother sponsoring a child, and urgently need to regularize my visa status to be able to work again. I want your guidance and representation on the following: How to resolve or remove the arrest warrant/tracker condition/my name from this case?

What can I do if the landlord rejected the offer & deposit and sent me an eviction notice?

Q: I did an offer and deposit case on 18 February 2025 to renew the Ejari at the same rate of AED 80,000 with 4 cheques. Expiry date of previous Ejari was 24 February 2025. I got Ejari from RDC, and everything was smooth for the year 25/26. However, the bank had our cheque returned due to an irregular signature. As the landlord, which is a property management company, has a bully lawyer, he didn`t want to accept cash nor a bank transfer, or another cheque. So I had to do another offer and deposit case on top of the one I did on 18th February. The lawyer of the landlord has sent me an eviction notice stating it is not legally permissible for me to link the new offer and deposit to pay the 20,000 AED installment from 25 August 2025 to 24 November 2025. However, the RDC judge had approved my offer and deposit and sent me a pay order, which I have paid. I want to know whether this eviction will stand, as RDC will only give this cash to the landlord, or if they need NOC from the landlord to return the money to me. Kindly help

Is it better to settle my personal loan with the bank or at the court to lift the travel ban?

Q: I am currently subject to a travel ban because of a personal loan. I wish to settle this matter and lift the travel ban. Would it be more advantageous to make the payment in court or directly to the bank?