As an Expatriate How Can I Prevent Myself From Getting Jailed in Dubai for Debts? – Elmer

Elmer

“Dear Steve,

I’ve been living here in Dubai for the past four years, in that years passed by, I have accumulated a large amount of debts which i can no longer pay with my present salary. I have four hundred thousand dirhams loan from different banks. My wife’s salary plus mine combine is around 15,000 dhs. We’re having difficulty now making both ends meet because our children lives with us adding more expenses on our monthly budget.

Now, my question is – How can I legally prevent myself from getting jailed from defaulting payments? Is there any lawyer in this Country that protects the rights of an expatriate declaring bankruptcy. Is there any way I can re-structure my payment? What is best best solution to my problem?

I don’t want to go in jail, I’ve been reading a lot of testimonies about people getting jailed from debts here in Dubai with this amount that I have, and there is no way that you’ll get released unless you pay all your debts. How can a person pay his debts if the bank put them in jail?

Elmer”

Don’t miss our free Get Out of Debt – “How To” Guide Series on a number of topics, for loads of practical advice, tips, and help to beat back debt. – Click Here

The Answer

 

Dear Elmer,

Living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and being in debt is nothing but problematic. You ask if you can go bankrupt but no laws in Dubai allow you to do that, so that’s out. You ask why being jailed makes sense since you you can’t pay your debts while in jail but you overlook that jail is punishment, not logic.

The consumer debt laws in the UAE are archaic. No regulations provide any framework to allow you to workout a negotiated solution with all of your creditors based on what you can afford.

Maybe you’ve noticed that the traffic is getting lighter in Dubai and that life isn’t quite as hectic as it once was there. This is because of the masses of people fleeing Dubai in these uncertain economic times.

My best advice, contact your embassy and ask for a recommendation of a local lawyer to help advise you about the realities of defaulting on debt in the UAE or get the fuck out of the country before you wind up in jail.

You might want to leave your car at long-term parking at Dubai International Airport with the keys and a note in it. According to reports and the 3,000 abandoned cars at the airport, It seems to be the preferred way to turn the car back in.

Big Hug!

united arab emirates uae dubai
Get Out of Debt Guy – Twitter, G+, Facebook

united arab emirates uae dubai
Average Rating:

Rate Our Site - Leave a Testimonial

Submit your review
12345
* Required Field

Don't Miss These Related Articles to Read

  • Ahmedi Asma

    My husband made me the guarantor of his loan in Dubai and fled to India. After reaching india he sent me an SMS notifying divorce. In this case im i still liable to pay his debts 

  • Ga_122475

    i believe mr steve was a little upset of dubai law in terms of debt..havent u read some related article??

  • kamran

    i can’t imagine asking a question to somoene who is going to reply to me with a “fuck” as part of his answer. this guy steve is unprofessional and most of his answers don’t really tell us anything. so why bother asking this guy when there are many more worthy and better people out there you can ask your questions to. you can also post your questions on yahoo answers and normal people like you and me who have been through similar situations will answer. an answer from someone who has been through it all instead of someone who knows it all is much better in my logic.

    • Ga_122475

      i believe mr steve was a little upset of dubai law in terms of debt..havent u read some related article??

  • Raj

    Hello
    The debt laws in UAE differ in all the emirates. Couple of things you should consider and identify where the area of your problem:

    1) how bad is your credit ? is it overdue more than 3 months, then you will get regular calls from the collection agents, they will force you to pay only the interest and other charges and your over due balance will pile up.
    2) Make sure they dont put your cheque!!!
    3) Law for Any Bounce cheque is very strong
    4) After sometime, the bank will decide to file a case against you based on the bounced cheque.
    5) Your name will be blocked at the exits (airports)
    6) You will eventually get a call from the police inorder to meet them to sort out.
    7) You go to police station with your passport (no of passports required based on your amount / the passports should be with residence visa and the VISA JOB TITLE)
    8)Once you are bailed out with yours/friends passports, you are set free to speak to the bank for the settlement
    9) You have usually 2-3 months based on your amount before the file transfered to court
    10) once the file has been transfered to court, you will get a court date
    11) You will get a sentence based on the cheque amount
    12) once the sentence is done, you go to the next process.

  • http://Website Babu Raj

    Dear Steve,
    I have been living Dubai from last 8yeras,Now I left the country due to fear of loosing job becose my total debt in 4 banks is more than 400 thousand.Heard that banks can follow at my home country(India) also.I dont want to be in jail
    at dubai becose my family (wife and 2 kids) was aslso there.
    And can I go any other GCC country for job?is it possible to get police clearence letter from dubai to canada visa?
    looking for your advice.

    Babu Raj

  • Charles

    I have an unpaid credit card back in Qatar, unfortunately it accummulates and reach about 35thousand Qrs. I dont have a plan not to pay it, so happened that i got a new job here in UAE. I want to ask how much credit it would be, before they required the person arrested.
    I don’t know my legal status now, but last time i went on vacation there was no problem in airport.
    I am willing to pay it because i have a job here in UAE, but i can pay it in monthly term.
    Can you please advice me how much it would be before they apprehend the person and put in trouble.
    Your advice would give me confidence to prepare and start paying my debts in credit card.

    Thank you.

  • Donita

    How does one know that they are already in the police list of people with bad debt? Will I be picked up at my apartment or work by the police?

    Thanks.

    • http://GetOutOfDebt.org Steve Rhode

      Donita,

      I urge you to contact a lawyer in Dubai and ask for advice on this.

      Steve

Quick - Before You Go

Before you head off the GetOutOfDebt.org site I'd like to ask you a special favor. Please just take a moment to share this page on one of the social sharing sites to the right.

When you help to share our site it helps us to provide assistance to others.

  • It is a kind thing to do.
  • Sharing helps you pay it forward.
  • All the sexy and smart people share.
Close this popup

Click a Share Button

If our site has helped you, please share it using one of the buttons below. it helps us to help others.

Get My FREE Get Out of Debt Guy Newsletter

It is the smart thing to do.

I promise to keep your email safe and secure.

I want to keep you posted each weekday with just one email about the latest get out of debt news, scam alerts and information to beat back debt.

You can unsubscribe at any time with just one click.

After you subscribe, check your email to confirm your subscription. If the confirmation email does not appear in your inbox in a few minutes, check your spam folder for it. Sometimes it likes to annoyingly hide there.


  • It will keep you posted on the latest scams.
  • You will be alerted to the latest articles.
  • You will wind up smarter than everyone else dealing with debt.