I left Dubai in 2007 and unfortunately left some unpaid debts behind – a car loan and some credit card debt. I made consecutive payments while I had enough income, but stopped after a few months, as my salary level in Europe was lower than the full monthly payments. Since February 2008 I have not paid any money against those accounts; my car was surrendered to Dubai police and, I think, has been sold for an amount that partially repaid my debt. I believe there is still approximately Dh58,000 of debt outstanding. I have now been approached about a new job in Dubai, but I cannot find a company that can find out whether I have any police cases lodged against me. I have every intention to pay off the money I owe to the bank, but I am not entirely convinced that they are going to lift the police case they originally filed against me. In fact, I do not actually know if they filed a case at all. Is there any way I can check whether there is a problem with me re-entering the UAE without having to actually do so? TS, Hungary
The first step is to contact the banks directly and ask them if they have filed a police case. You can also ask a friend in Dubai to go to a main police station with a copy of your passport, and ideally a letter of authority, to enquire if they have any cases against you registered in their system. All the friend will be told is whether there are or not, without any specific details. If there are cases registered the debt must be repaid in full before the case can be cancelled. Until all police cases against an individual are cancelled, debtors are likely to be arrested on entry into the UAE and not released until a settlement is agreed.
Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with over 20 years’ experience. Contact her at keren@holbornassets.com. Follow her on Twitter at @FinancialUAE.
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only.
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How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
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