How Do Civil Cases affect Visas in UAE

UAE has found its legal system very fair and practical. The expatriates are entertained according to the UAE visa system which is justice and support. The Immigrants with civil lawsuits in the UAE or anywhere else may have difficulty acquiring a visa in the UAE. Understanding the civil aspect of your visa as an expatriate in UAE is important so you can manage your legal status there.

In the UAE, civil cases are related to legal matters that do not have any criminal charges on them. The civil cases mostly deal with financial matters, commercial disputes etc. The following disputes need to be resolved amicably, ensuring fairness in the civil cases of the UAE:

1. Financial disputes

If your cheque bounces or the debtor has not paid your debt, you should contact a civil lawyer to resolve the situation. They can also help you in mediation outside the court or they can help you opening a civil case. Criminal charges like past on bounced cheques, do not exist more.

1. Breach of Contracts

The other party in court can challenge any responsibility or term violated by one party. Breach of contracts is not a crime, but it raises conflicts among the parties involved, and such conflicts are called civil disputes. The civil conflicts lead to civil disputes.

1. Employment Disputes

Managers and employees usually have issues regarding unfair dismissal, workers’ compensation or discrimination at work. As an employee, you can report the legal dispute in the labour courts if the manager is not helpful in your case. But sometimes, when the nature of the dispute is more civil than employment, then civil cases are launched.

1. Family Matters

Resolving family matters such as divorce, custody, and alimony is possible to be managed in family courts. But some personal status matters like joint businesses, investments etc, can be civil, based on the nature of the case or decision of the judges.

1. Property Disputes

If you have a dispute over the family property or inheritance, or off-plan investments, then it can be resolved under civil cases, than land department or rental courts.

In simple words, any case that does not involve murder, robbery, or a severe criminal offense is resolved, can be managed in UAE civil courts.

As an expatriate in the UAE, it is important to maintain your legal and financial situation to get a visa grant successfully. However, due to civil cases in UAE, your visa status can be impacted hugely. Simply filling a case might not effect but if travel ban is requested and that is accepted, or court execution is opened then it can seriously effect. The VISA status process. It can be rejected or its processing can be stopped. In several ways, the civil case can affect your visa in UAE:

1. Unclear Debts

If the cheques is bounced, then it is an added debt to you as a debtor. There will be consequences unless the debts are not cleared. Your travel is banned, so you can only leave the country if the dispute is resolved. This phenomenon also applies with the situation when, someone woes to banks. There will be issues with your recruitment as well. It is only possible to renew your employment visa or change your job if you have resolved a financial dispute in the UAE by clearing all your debt and financial responsibility.

1. Bounced Cheques

Bounced cheques can result in travel restrictions and the seizing of your bank accounts, which means that you are unable to get a renewal for your employment visa. The creditors can take severe legal action as per the dispute.

1. Employment Issues

If you have a case of labour and employment conflicts, such as unpaid wages or wrongful dismissal, your visa can be affected. The employer may not renew your visa due to the ongoing conflict in your case. But you can cancel the VISA as per new law or transfer the sponsorship if the case is resolved. Please keep in mind that if the employee has criminal charges then, its difficult to cancel the VISA.

1. Family Legal Matters

The family’s legal matters related to divorce, custody, and alimony are resolved under civil cases. If you are involved in any of the disputes with your family, it may not affect your visa status directly, but the sponsors may affect you. When after the court’s execution the obligation is not fulfilled then, arrest warrant can be issued or travel van cab also be put. It can also stop the VISA to be processed or renewed.

1. Disputes Over Property

The property disputes are not directly linked to your visa status, whether you are the owner or the tenant. However, if finance is involved in the property dispute, it can impact your visa status because travel bans could be the first outcome of the property dispute in the UAE.

1. Judgement by the Court and Visa Cancellation

Civil cases have court judgements that can affect visa status. For example, failure to make payment that is ordered by the court can result in freezing your bank accounts, and your visa cannot be renewed. Secondly, if the employer takes any legal action against the employee, they will cancel the employment visa, impacting your visa status as an expatriate. We recommend to consult our civil lawyers in Dubai for legal advice and court services.

The expatriates in the UAE might be suffering from various cultural shocks and unable to comprehend the UAE legal system. If you are one of those foreigners, you must take some considerations to ensure that you are legally safe in the UAE:

Get a Legal Advice: It is necessary to hire a qualified lawyer to understand UAE laws. They will help you understand your civil case. Their professional skills include:

• Advising on legal matters.
• Negotiating settlements amicably.
• Presenting your case in court if needed.

Quick Resolution to Financial Disputes: Civil cases over financial disputes can affect your travel plans. To avoid the travel bans, you must negotiate the payment with the creditor and settle the outstanding debt as soon as possible.

Open Communication: There must be open communication with employer. If you have an employment dispute, you should resolve it amicably. It can be done through mediation or negotiation. Further, avoid escalating the matter unnecessarily. Let your lawyer talk to the employer.

Comply with Court Orders: The court judgements and rulings must be understood by the individual. They must comply with the payment deadlines to avoid penalties.

Regular Check: The visa system in the UAE has been digitalized. However, the government has online portals for its people to check their visa status.

Protecting Residents in UAE: The UAE government ensures that civil cases are handled fairly and do not affect the residents living in UAE.

Decriminalization of Bounced Cheques: Bounced cheques do not involve criminal cases; they are resolved in civil matters, which reduces the risk of imprisonment for financial disputes.

Mediation Services: Not every case has to go through the court proceedings. However, family, business and employment cases can be settled out of court through mediation services.

Labour and Employment Disputes: The employment disputes can be resolved through mediation or labour dispute committees. It depends on the sensitivity of the labour dispute that the individual has in UAE.

Expatriates often have misunderstandings about the UAE laws:

Civil Cases Lead to Visa Cancellation
Having a civil case in the UAE does not automatically mean that the visa will be cancelled. If the case is resolved through courts and the individual acts upon the judgment, your visa may not be cancelled.

Travel Bans are Permanent
The travel bans are lifted once the case is resolved and ensured resolution in the UAE courts.

Employers Canceling Visas without a Case
Employers must cancel your visa status with a solid reason. They must prove in the UAE labour court that you have violated the UAE’s employment laws, and only then can they cancel your visa.