When I left Dubai in 2014, there was some money in my UAE bank account and I still had a credit card. I thought I might return and indeed did so in 2015, but only for a week. I never closed my personal account or cancelled the credit card, but the card had nothing outstanding. While I transferred the bulk of my funds out of my account, I left about Dh1,300 in it. I am going to be transiting through Dubai in a few weeks’ time and it occurred to me that sometimes people have had problems with this. My hope is that this account will be considered dormant and, as my visa was cancelled, the bank will have shut down the accounts and taken the money I had. Is this the most likely scenario? Obviously, I want to avoid any issues when I transit through the airport. NR, UK
While any bank account that has been dormant for six months will generally be frozen, charges may still accrue. It is not unusual for some banks to charge a ‘maintenance’ fee on any account, even one that is inactive, and so any balance can erode in time and even leave the account in deficit. The same applies to credit cards, perhaps even more so, as most cards have an annual fee, which is charged even if the card is not being used.
If the amounts are small, it is unlikely a bank will take action but it is always better to err on the side of caution and check with the bank itself. Never assume that any situation is fine in a case such as this. NR needs to contact the bank directly to clarify the situation and establish that a police case has not been raised. Transiting is rarely a problem but there are cases where travellers have to enter the UAE due to delays and end up being detained at immigration.
Whatever the outcome, it would be wise to formally close the bank account and cancel the credit card to avoid any future concerns. It is important to get this confirmation in writing.
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Read more:
Can I use an overseas court order to make my ex-husband pay child support?
'My husband absconded from the UAE. Am I liable for his debts?'
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I work for a company on an unlimited contract and recently submitted my resignation but my visa will expire in 20 days while I'm still in my notice period, which as per my contract is two months. Do I still need to serve my full notice period even though my visa is expiring and then work without a visa for the remaining 40 days? What are the alternatives? Can my employer renew it for just 40 days and then cancel it? KT, Dubai
Under UAE law, no one is permitted to carry out any work without a suitable and valid visa. This means their employer or sponsor, often the same entity, must have arranged a residency visa for any work to be undertaken without breaking the law. If anyone works without a visa, both the employee and employer can be subject to substantial penalties.
For KT to work his full notice period legally, his employer needs to renew the residency visa and this process should be started before the existing one expires. There are expenses for doing so; the fee for the visa itself is not high (about Dh250 for a private sector or free zone employee), though the employer must also pay for health insurance and the Emirates Identity Card. There is a grace period of 30 days after expiry during which a person can continue working for the same company. What would be sensible in this case would be for both parties to agree to work a shorter notice period so that employment ends when the grace period expires, some 50 days after resignation, and the employer can then simply arrange for cancellation. Note that both parties need to agree to this course of action.
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Read more:
'Can I obtain a police clearance certificate from outside the UAE?'
'Will I be banned for leaving my job during my probation period?'
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I am doing the same job as four other people at my company but have found out that the men are being paid 20 per cent more than the women for the same work and the same hours. Before I make a complaint, is there is anything in the law that deals with this. PR, Abu Dhabi
The subject of equal pay is covered in UAE Labour Law and Article 32 states that: "The female worker shall be granted a wage equal to that of the man should she be performing the same work." This is very clear and more employers would do well to familiarise themselves with the law. Furthermore, in April of this year, the UAE Cabinet approved a law on equal wages and salaries. This is the Law on Equal Wages and Salaries for Men and Women and is intended to close the gender gap in the workplace. The UAE also has a Gender Balance Council, demonstrating the country's commitment to this issue.
Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser and senior partner with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with over 25 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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Prophets of Rage
(Fantasy Records)
Napoleon
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if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group H
Manchester United v Young Boys, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Leganes v Getafe (12am)
Levante v Alaves (4pm)
Real Madrid v Sevilla (7pm)
Osasuna v Valladolid (9.30pm)
Sunday
Eibar v Atletico Madrid (12am)
Mallorca v Valencia (3pm)
Real Betis v Real Sociedad (5pm)
Villarreal v Espanyol (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (9.30pm)
Monday
Barcelona v Granada (12am)
Tips for avoiding trouble online
- Do not post incorrect information and beware of fake news
- Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
- Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
- Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
- Do not forget your children and monitor their online activities
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
ALL THE RESULTS
Bantamweight
Siyovush Gulmomdov (TJK) bt Rey Nacionales (PHI) by decision.
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) bt Hussein Fakhir Abed (SYR) by submission.
Catch 74kg
Omar Hussein (JOR) bt Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) by decision.
Strawweight (Female)
Seo Ye-dam (KOR) bt Weronika Zygmunt (POL) by decision.
Featherweight
Kaan Ofli (TUR) bt Walid Laidi (ALG) by TKO.
Lightweight
Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW) bt Leandro Martins (BRA) by TKO.
Welterweight
Ahmad Labban (LEB) bt Sofiane Benchohra (ALG) by TKO.
Bantamweight
Jaures Dea (CAM) v Nawras Abzakh (JOR) no contest.
Lightweight
Mohammed Yahya (UAE) bt Glen Ranillo (PHI) by TKO round 1.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) bt Aidan Aguilera (AUS) by TKO round 1.
Welterweight
Mounir Lazzez (TUN) bt Sasha Palatkinov (HKG) by TKO round 1.
Featherweight title bout
Romando Dy (PHI) v Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) by KO round 1.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Company%20Profile
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RESULTS
Time; race; prize; distance
4pm: Maiden; (D) Dh150,000; 1,200m
Winner: General Line, Xavier Ziani (jockey), Omar Daraj (trainer)
4.35pm: Maiden (T); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Travis County, Adrie de Vries, Ismail Mohammed
5.10pm: Handicap (D); Dh175,000; 1,200m
Winner: Scrutineer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
5.45pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Ejaaby, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
6.55pm: Handicap (D); Dh160,000; 1,600m
Winner: Storyboard, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap (D); Dh150,000; 2,200m
Winner: Grand Dauphin, Gerald Mosse, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8.05pm: Handicap (T); Dh190,000; 1,800m
Winner: Good Trip, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
MATCH INFO
Arsenal 1 (Aubameyang 12’) Liverpool 1 (Minamino 73’)
Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties
Man of the Match: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal)
MATCH INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
UAE v Oman - abandoned
Oman v Namibia - abandoned
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8
Power: 503hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Price: from Dh850,000
On sale: now
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
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TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
ICC T20 Rankings
1. India - 270 ranking points
2. England - 265 points
3. Pakistan - 261 points
4. South Africa - 253 points
5. Australia - 251 points
6. New Zealand - 250 points
7. West Indies - 240 points
8. Bangladesh - 233 points
9. Sri Lanka - 230 points
10. Afghanistan - 226 points
Essentials
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
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Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
