r/uaelaw

I run a small contracting company in Dubai. A renovation project was delayed and there were disputes over unfinished works due to unforseen circumstances and that i issued a guarantee cheque of just 3k.

The work value is around 10k and delays happened, its a bathroom renovation, a broken slab of wall tile by my guys when receiving it at the site ( that tile is worth 3k so that time i issued a cheque against it as they will carry the purchase of a new one)

From that the works got delayed as it took as time to order it again and i told my client will finish it.

My client is a lawyer so he is well verse on this and

now I received a formal notice alleging defective workmanship, delays, property damage and safety issues.

And he's like demanding 100,000 aed + worth of damages out of this.

He says he will complain to Dubai Municipality and DET/DED and file a case in Dubai Courts.

He is also threatening personal liability against the registered engineer and has given us 14 days to compensate him.

I have the whatsapp conversations, photos/videos, invoices and other project records.

Has any contractor in Dubai experienced something similar?

Should I reply formally first, ( he sent that through whatsapp) or get a lawyer immediately, or arrange an independent inspection/report?

Also, how serious is the threat ? and Any UAE contractor/lawyer experience would be appreciated.

Can I resign without serving notice period if the employer is paying me only the basic salary for last 3months in Dubai. After the war I was sent to work from home for 2months with just the basic salary 1200aed from May my full salary as per contract is 3000aed. the company haven’t called me back yet while Iam still working on work from home with 1200aed can I resign from the company without notice or a reasonable notice period as the notice period in my contact is 90days

My friend was involved in a minor traffic incident one evening involving an overtaking maneuver. There was no collision or physical contact between the vehicles.

Afterward, the other people involved became upset, blocked her way, got out of their vehicle, and started banging on her car and asking her to come out. She stayed inside the vehicle and did not engage with them.

Some time later, she was informed that a complaint had been filed alleging that she had used offensive language and made an offensive gesture toward them. She denies both allegations.

The matter has since gone to Public Prosecution. She attended without a lawyer because, unfortunately, she couldn't afford one. During the investigation, when she asked what evidence supported the allegations against her, she was told that the complaint was based on a statement from one of the people involved.

She was told that the prosecution would either close the case if there was insufficient evidence or refer it to court if they believed there was enough evidence.

She's understandably quite anxious because she had never dealt with anything like this before, and found the process difficult to navigate without legal representation.

Has anyone experienced something similar? I'm mainly interested in understanding what happens next, how these cases are generally handled, and whether a case can be closed at the prosecution stage when there isn't sufficient evidence.

Just trying to help her get through this.

I joined a company in April, but the work environment has been quite bad. I recently got a new opportunity and resigned today.

When I spoke to my manager, he threatened me with a AED 17,000 penalty for leaving within a short period. However, this penalty is not mentioned anywhere in my employment contract (although it is mentioned in some of my colleagues’ contracts), and it was never communicated to me verbally either.

My contract states that the notice period is as per UAE law, so I understand it should be 30 days. I submitted my resignation in writing with a 30-day notice period.

However, my manager says they cannot release me after 30 days and can only release me in the first week of October. My new employer expects me to join in the last week of September, so I cannot extend the notice period.

I have submitted the resignation by email today to keep everything documented.

What would you suggest I do? Should I wait 1–2 weeks and see how they respond, or take any other steps now?

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice regarding my UAE immigration status.
On June 10, 2026, I exited the UAE with an outpass. I had an overstaying fine of around AED 4,000, which I couldn’t pay before leaving.
The situation happened because my company had changed my visa/status, but they didn’t complete the visa stamping process. Because of this, my status remained incomplete and I ended up accumulating an overstay fine.
I eventually had to leave the country using an outpass without paying the fine.
Now I’m trying to understand:
Does exiting with an outpass automatically mean I have a UAE entry ban?
If I do have a ban, how long is it usually for?
Is there any way to check my current ban/immigration status from India?
Would the unpaid AED 4,000 fine affect my ability to get a new UAE visa in the future?
If anyone has gone through a similar situation, especially after leaving with an outpass, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience.
Thanks in advance.

Hey everyone,

Looking for some practical advice or guidance from anyone who has been in a similar situation in the UAE.

A bit of context:

\* Experience: 4 years in UAE (MNCs) + 6 years in home country in logistics, supply chain, and warehouse operations.

\* Financials: Was earning 10,000 AED/month until I lost my job 4 months ago.

\* Current situation: I've been unemployed for 3 months. Kept my family’s expenses to absolute basics, but rent, utilities, and living costs forced me to rely on credit cards. I’ve been paying the minimums for the last 2 months, but funds are running dry.

\* Visa status: My residence visa grace period ends in a couple of days. My spouse's visa is currently on hold.

With no job offer in hand yet, I'm reaching out to see what my best options are right now:

1. Visa transition: Is it better to immediately switch to a 30/60-day visit visa in-country to keep searching, or cut losses and prepare to exit? How does this affect my spouse's visa on hold?

2. Credit card debt: If I have to leave, how do I handle bank negotiations? Is it better to contact them now for a settlement/repayment plan from home, or keep paying minimums as long as possible?

3. Hiring market: Has anyone with 10+ years in logistics/operations had success landing contract/freelance work or quick turnarounds recently?

Any honest feedback, legal/financial advice, or personal experiences would mean a lot right now. Thanks in advance.

Hey guys, do you know any Pakistanis who got their visa? So, the thing is my father has been here for the past 10 years and now he will be changing companies because the current company has gone bankrupt. We have a company that is ready to process the visa and everything. It is a small to medium-sized Sharjah company. So, does any PRO or any individual know people who got the visa?

I currently have a travel ban in the UAE. Is there any legal way to leave the country while the travel ban is active, or a way to temporarily lift it? Has anyone been through this before and knows what steps I should take?

Hey all

I got a AED 500 fine for “Interrupting traffic.”

I stopped for about 2 minutes near my building after getting a tyre warning, switched on the hazards, checked the tyre, and left.

I objected through Dubai Public Prosecution and now have a Traffic Court hearing in Al Awir.

Has anyone had a similar fine cancelled or reduced even though you technically stopped there? Also, if the judge finds you guilty, were there any extra court fees on top of the fine?

Looking for first-hand experiences.

Thanks🙌

I’m dealing with a financial situation in the UAE and I genuinely don’t know what to do anymore. I have 7 bounced cheques, and the total amount involved is around AED 600,000. I also have 2 or 3 credit cards that are completely maxed out, with total credit limits of around AED 600,000.
This has been going on for around 2 to 3 years. I currently have a travel ban, and the banks and other people I owe money to are still contacting and messaging me regarding the outstanding credit and payments.
I’m looking for someone who has been through a similar situation in the UAE and can explain what options I have. I want to understand whether there is a way to negotiate with the banks, arrange a payment plan, settle the debts, or deal with the bounced cheques and travel ban properly.
I’m not asking anyone for money. I just need genuine advice from someone who understands UAE debt and bounced cheque cases and can tell me what steps I should take next.

I purchased a used iPhone 17 pro max with a display changed from unauthorized service. However, I have a warranty until December 2026.

Recently, I had issues with the audio system. And took to official service center. They told that the display is changed externally and therefore display doesn't cover under warranty. However, the display has nothing to do with the audio system, and it will be fixed under warranty.

They took the phone for service and acknowledged it with a job card email, stating about warranty and acceptance that the phone display is changed and audio will be covered under warranty.

After a week, I received an email that my phone was available to pick up. While I went to collect, they gave me the phone stating that the repair is denied due to unauthorized repair done for display. And I was okay with the denial.

When I turned on the phone, the display was flickering, and the display was not even properly fixed.

I asked that I need the phone in the same way I submitted with a working and fully operational. They said that the phone had an unauthorized repair outside, due to which the display was damaged.

I claimed that the technician is aware of the condition before accepting the device for repair, and they could have denied either in the beginning of acceptance or at least before opening the phone.

Now, they are denying accountability and responsibility for the damage done.

I refused to collect the phone. I was connected with Apple care outside UAE, and they are investigating the matter with all the proof, and they are taking more time.

Meanwhile, I submitted a consumer complaint with the authorities attached all the proofs.

They denied providing in writing that they are handing over the phone in this condition. I took the video in the same location and had to collect the phone.

My concern is their denial. Not about money. I can disregard the warranty claim. But they cannot turn their back for the damage they caused.

What are my options, and how can I proceed to hold them accountable.

Has anyone ever received Green Visa?

I’ve salary 16k per month and in the same company for 2 years as Software Engineer. Can I apply for it?

Has anyone applied and got it? If yes, care to share how it works?

Hypothetically, if expat 2 flipped off expat 1 in a heated exchange, and expat 1 has submitted an official criminal complaint against expat 2. There is irrefutable video evidence and an independent witness.

What happens next with expat 2 (the party with a loose finger and morals), and how much of a hassle is it for expat 1 (the complainant), i.e. requirement to attend court or otherwise.

Thanks in advance!

What case can my friend file a case against his colleague who is bad mouthing him to the Management in order for him to get a bad rep and get fired. Can he file for defamation? Emails are evidence.

I came to Dubai in 2022 and have been residing and working in Dubai since then.

I have been working in the telecom sales industry for several years. Initially, I worked for a dsa associated with du for approximately three years and six months as a sales performer. The company subsequently closed, after which I moved to another company that is also associated with du. I have been working with the new company for approximately eight months.

My current work is mainly related to business sales. du has separate business and consumer departments, and I work in the business department. My responsibilities involve dealing with business customers and generating sales through references, field work, telephone calls and contacts within the market.

As part of normal sales activities, sales leads are sometimes exchanged between salespersons, freelancers and people working in different departments. This was also the nature of my professional interaction with girl, who was working in the consumer department of du.

We exchanged contact numbers and remained in professional contact. From time to time, we helped each other with sales leads. She would sometimes provide me with leads, and I would also assist her with leads when possible.

The Customer Lead

In approximately February, she provided me with some customer-related sales leads. I understood these leads to have been provided to me in the normal course of our professional dealings.

One of the leads involved a customer who was considering a du connection. Isma was communicating with a person connected with real estate who was assisting with the customer's requirements. That person contacted me and provided apartment/building details and asked me to check whether du fibre service was available in the building.

As part of my normal work, I checked the availability of du fibre at the building and informed her that the service was available.

She subsequently provided me with customer-related information and details. I forwarded the relevant information to a person known to me, my friend , who was working on the consumer side, so that the sales process could be handled through the appropriate channel.

At that time, I understood this to be a normal sales lead and believed that the information provided to me was legitimate.

I did not knowingly misuse the customer's identity documents. I did not knowingly impersonate the customer, forge the customer's signature, or knowingly participate in submitting a fraudulent application.

I also did not personally create a fraudulent application or knowingly submit false information on behalf of the customer.

The Customer Complaint

Approximately two months later, she informed me that a complaint had been made by one of the customers. I was told that the customer was alleging that his identification documents had been misused and that he had not personally applied for the connection.

I was surprised to hear about the complaint because my understanding had been that the lead and customer information had been provided to me through Isma in the normal course of our professional dealings.

Isma told me that she would speak to the concerned people and that the connection had been cancelled and processed through another channel.

After this, Isma stopped responding to me and eventually blocked me.

I tried to contact her because I wanted to understand what had happened and why I was being associated with the complaint.

Communication Regarding the Customer

After some time, she provided me with the customer's surname and asked me to speak with him.

At that time, I did not realise that the customer she was referring to was the same person involved in the complaint.

Isma told me that I should speak to the customer and explain that his documents had been provided by somebody else and that the matter was not her fault.

I do not speak Arabic, so I asked a friend who could communicate in Arabic to speak with the customer. During that communication, the customer informed my friend that he was at the police station. We did not continue the conversation.

I subsequently became aware that Dubai Police was investigating the matter and that I was being contacted in relation to it.

My Actual Involvement

I would like to clearly explain that my involvement was limited to receiving and forwarding a sales lead in the course of my professional work.

I did not knowingly participate in the misuse of the customer's identity documents.

I did not knowingly create or submit a false application, forge the customer's signature, or impersonate the customer.

I was not aware at the time that the customer would later claim that his documents had been misused.

I understand that the authorities need to investigate the complete chain of events. I respectfully request that the investigation consider the entire sequence, including who originally obtained the customer's documents, who provided the documents and customer information, who processed and submitted the application, who activated the connections, and what each person knew at the relevant time.

WhatsApp Communications and Available Evidence

I would also like to clarify that I do not have the complete WhatsApp conversation history with Isma Ali.

Some of our communication took place through WhatsApp while the disappearing messages feature was enabled. Because of this, some older messages are no longer available to me.

I have retained some of the WhatsApp messages that are still available.

I also have photos of her and some of the phone numbers that I have associated with her. I have also retained information showing my attempts to contact her after I became aware of the complaint.

I do not have complete call logs or a complete record of all communications with her, and I do not want to claim that I have evidence that I do not actually possess.

I am willing to provide all available WhatsApp messages, photographs, phone numbers and other information in my possession to my lawyer or the appropriate authorities.

I am not intentionally withholding or deleting any communication. Some of the older WhatsApp messages are no longer available because of the disappearing-message feature.

Her Current Situation

After the complaint became known to me, I tried to contact her because I wanted to understand what had happened and clarify my involvement.

I subsequently understood that she was in Pakistan, and she has blocked me, which has made it difficult for me to contact her directly.

I do not want to make unsupported accusations against her. I only wish to explain the facts of my involvement and the communications that I personally experienced.

I request that the authorities independently investigate the complete chain of events and determine the role of every person involved.

Cooperation With the Authorities

I have been contacted by Dubai Police regarding this matter and understand that there are currently two matters/cases appearing in the Dubai Police system in relation to the incident.

I am willing to cooperate with the investigation and provide all information and evidence that is actually available to me.

I respectfully request that my actual role and knowledge at the relevant time be considered separately from the actions of other persons involved in the sales process.

I had no intention of causing any loss or harm to the customer, and I did not knowingly participate in any misuse of the customer's identity documents.

I am prepared to provide the available WhatsApp messages, photographs, phone numbers and other relevant information in my possession and to answer questions truthfully to the best of my knowledge and recollection.

I respectfully request that the complete circumstances and chain of communication be considered before any conclusion is reached regarding my involvement.

The complainant is asking me a settlement of 39k aed which is not possible or else he will go to court

Hello - what is the process to file for divorce in Dubai as a Muslim with a foreign marriage certificate attested in the UAE? I feel lost and I have a feeling this divorce is going to get ugly as I have a young child.

I am sharing this because I honestly do not know where else to ask for advice.

I have been working in Dubai, and since December 2025 I have not received my salary. Every month, we were given promises that payment would be made "next week" or "soon," but months have passed and we are still waiting.

The company owner is an Emirati national, and we tried to be patient and understanding because we knew the business was facing financial difficulties. We gave time and trusted the repeated promises that the pending salaries would be settled.

Unfortunately, the situation has reached a point where employees are struggling financially. Some of us have used our savings, borrowed money, and are trying to survive while waiting for salaries that we already earned.

We followed the proper process through MOHRE. After waiting for the employer's given period to resolve the issue, we were referred to Al Adheed to proceed with the labour case.

The painful part is that we now need to find around AED 915 just to register the case, but after months without salary, we no longer have enough funds. We are now looking for money just to start the legal process to recover our own unpaid wages.

I never expected that after working in Dubai and fulfilling my responsibilities, I would reach a point where I need to borrow money just to fight for my unpaid salary.

I am asking for advice from anyone who has experienced something similar:

• Is there any support available for employees who cannot afford the registration cost?
• Are there organizations that can assist workers in this situation?
• What other options are available?

Thank you to anyone who can share guidance or experience.

Good day to everyone here, hope all good on your end Sir/Mam.

Hi i just only want to share my situation and advice so i resigned to my company, I didn't finish my contract which is two years but i only worked one year. So here is the situation in the contract I need to pay them 1 month gross salary penalty for breaking the contract plus the visa cost, I served 120 days notice period for them. I know i signed the contract from the beginning but is this fair system or can I complain it in MOHRE labor thank you.