Guide

Here's How You Can Support Dubai Residents Affected by Floods Through Jood

For a Relaxing Getaway in the UAE, Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort Has You Covered

Book Early, Save More at Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort

UAE Resident Checked in at a Dubai Hotel With His Pet Camel

Top Places in the UAE to See and Interact With Animals

UAE Ranks as 7th Country in the World With the Worst Air Qualities

How to Apply for a Permit to Distribute Ramadan Iftar Meals in Dubai

8 Warning Signs Your Online Date is a Scammer

Ramadan in the UAE: Charity Acts You Can and Cannot Do

Classifieds

Jobs

VACANCY - Exciting Opportunity: Relocation Consultant Position Available in Saudi Arabia!

Can I Get Fired in the UAE For My Mental Health Condition?

Dubai Dedicates AED 150 Million Government Support Fund For Influencers

How to Deal With Workplace Harassment in the UAE

Reduced Ramadan Work Hours Confirmed for UAE Private Sector Workers

The UAE's New End-of-Service Programme, Explained for Residents

UAE Public Employees Can Get Flexible Work Hours on Back-to-School Day

5 Tips to Excel at Your Phone Interview in the UAE

UAE Employees Can Carry Over Annual Leave Days or Get Cash

Events

List of UAE Public Holidays in 2024: Confirmed and Expected Dates

DAZ Festival Takes Over Al Ain Zoo for 10 Days of Family Fun

9-Day Eid Public Holiday Announced for UAE Public Sector

UAE Ramadan Guide: When is Ramadan 2024 and What to Expect

Rewind Fest DXB is Bringing Your Favourite Classic Hits to Dubai

Unveiling World-Class Polo in Dubai: Silver and Gold Cup 2024

Make Valentine's Day in Dubai Extra Special With These Romantic Ideas

Chinese New Year 2024 in Dubai: Events, Activities, Things to Do

Where to Watch 2024's First Meteor Shower From Dubai

Education

What Are the Benefits of Academic Scholarships in Dubai?

Build Your Child's Education Your Way, With King's InterHigh

How to Get Your University and College Degrees Attested in the UAE

UAE Students Cheating Can Risk a Fine of Up to AED 200,000

The Learning Garden at South View School: Cultivating Curiosity and Joy in Early Education

Why is the Early Years Stage Important for Children's Development?

How to Choose the Best Early Education in Dubai

5 Ways Brighton College Dubai Stands Out From the Crowd

How to Apply for a Private Tutor Work Permit in the UAE

Money

Minimum AED 5,000 Fine for Smoking Near Children in the UAE

Are Family Members Required to Pay Their Relative's UAE Debt?

7 Money-Saving Tips to Make Your December Pay Cheque Go Further

How to Anonymously Report Illegal Activities in Dubai Through Al Ameen

Being a Dubai Housewife: The Rights of Stay-At-Home Wives in the UAE

A Guide to Expat Divorce, Judicial Separation, and Annulment of Marriage in the UAE

UAE Law Guide: Claiming Marital Rights of the Wife During Divorce

How to Apply for Involuntary Loss of Employment Scheme: For Freezone Employees

Money Management in Ramadan: Tips for Successful Spending

Home

Ask a UAE Flower Shop: Your Most Common Questions, Answered

Are UAE Domestic Helpers Allowed to Work on a Trial Period and Hired After?

Pet Breeding in the UAE: Is it Allowed and Where to Find Legal Pet Breeders

Choithrams Announces Launch of All-Women Operated Store in the UAE

Where to Order Same-Day Valentine's Day Flowers in the UAE

Ask a Professional UAE Dog Trainer: FAQs For New Pet Owners

Part Time Domestic Workers in the UAE: Are You Allowed to Hire Them?

Make Back-to-School Shopping a Breeze With Babyshop's Ultimate Collection

Where to Legally Hire Domestic Helpers in the UAE

Car

Authorities to Waive All Dubai Traffic Fines Incurred on April 16

A Guide to Driving in Foggy Weather in the UAE

Higher Fuel Prices Announced in the UAE for March 2024

The OneClickDrive app makes mobility easy for users in Dubai by allowing them to browse and compare from several car rental suppliers.

5 Tips to Help You Choose the Best Car Rental Service in Dubai

What Are the UAE's Fuel Prices for August 2023? New Costs Announced

UAE Updates Petrol and Diesel Prices for July 2023

These Are the UAE's Latest Fuel Prices for June 2023

Fuel Prices in the UAE: These Are the New Costs for March 2023

UAE Announce Petrol and Diesel Price Hike for February 2023

Wellness

These Bodysculpting Treatments in Dubai Will Burn Fat and Build Muscle in No Time

Interventional Pain Management at Mediclinic City Hospital: Addressing Women's Unique Needs

Skin Cancer Treatment in Dubai: Risk Factors and Types of Treatments

What's New in Aesthetic Medicine? Polynucleotides, Exosomes and Stem Cells

How to Find the Right Plastic Surgeon in the UAE

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Cancers

Common Misconceptions about Acne Vulgaris Clarified

Get Expert Healthcare and Wellness Delivered to Your Doorstep in Dubai Within 30 Minutes

HIFU Treatments in Dubai: Your Common Questions Answered

Shop

Shopping In Dubai

Best Online Shopping Sites in Dubai and UAE

An A-Z Guide to Dubai's Popular Malls

What To Wear At The Beach In Dubai

14 Hilarious Realities of Visiting Dubai Mall

Every Day is a Discount Day on THIS Deals Site

Cityland Mall Preview: Dubai's New Nature-Inspired Shopping Mall

EWmums

EWfood

ewmoda

Can I return if my husband left Dubai with debt?

1

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 30 July 2015 - 14:05

My family and I were one of the many expats who left Dubai in 2009 with unpaid debts - this was not a decision that was taken lightly and I know that this post is probably going to gain me some angry comments, I fully expect them but I would ask you to please not judge me too harshly as the situation was not as cut and dry as just leaving debt behind. Having a young family and no income for over six months with no-one to turn to for help we had no choice but to return to the UK penniless and homeless (that is no exaggeration).
Everything we owned we had to sell to pay for our flights home and we left other family and many dear friends behind. Anyway, that's my brief explanation not an excuse - I know what we did was wrong and we live with the guilt daily. Dubai was and had been our home for a long time.

I will get to the point now - my husband left debts with the bank in his name. I had a card on his account in my name (secondary card holder so not my account/the credit was not signed for in my name although I did have to sign to say I received the card), I still have family in Dubai and one of them is terminally ill. I would really like to visit with my children (it could be the only opportunity we get) but am very concerned about what may face me at the airport - as I was sponsored in effect by my husband, would I also be liable for this debt? I have heard several stories of people being arrested at the airport for debt and do not want to put myself and my children in that situation however I really need to make this trip. If anyone has any advice/experience I would appreciate it.

Log in to post new content in the forum.

17

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 August 2015 - 20:33

I think if you alert your bank that you are about to leave without paying your debts then they issue a travel ban . Once you have gone they have no way of getting their money till you come back . I may be wrong but I was under the assumption that to cancel your visa and leave your debts have to be cleared first too as they check at the airport .

767

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 17 August 2015 - 11:48

How about if you leave Dubai with a credit card bill/ loan but continue to pay it off once you have returned to your home country? I am transferring back with my job but won't be able to clear the debt for a few months. I would think that would be ok. Could you somehow check with your bank?

40

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 August 2015 - 22:44

How about if you leave Dubai with a credit card bill/ loan but continue to pay it off once you have returned to your home country? I am transferring back with my job but won't be able to clear the debt for a few months.

yellowledbetter

50

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 August 2015 - 15:58

Until the debts are paid you are at risk . I have a friend who left in similar circumstances in 2008 who's husband has been travelling through Dubai a number of times after checking it was ok to do so until the last time when he was arrested , went to court and has ended up with prison sentence and he will have to pay what is owed before he leaves Dubai ! I know this sounds cruel but I am glad he was caught and has to pay off his loans (although I am sad to hear he received a prison sentence).

767

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 13 August 2015 - 08:44

I wonder how many of the ones that left with debts are paying it off or trying to. I can't help but think that some of the rising costs here are part of paying it off.

17

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 August 2015 - 23:22

Until the debts are paid you are at risk . I have a friend who left in similar circumstances in 2008 who's husband has been travelling through Dubai a number of times after checking it was ok to do so until the last time when he was arrested , went to court and has ended up with prison sentence and he will have to pay what is owed before he leaves Dubai !

23

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 August 2015 - 13:33

Hi, just my opinion: 1) to be on the safe side, chck if there is anything filed against you. Also any lawyer can chck this. 2) Generally, the issue are usually no civil cases but criminal ones, means bounced chqs, esp any "security chqs" provided to the bank. Liable (for private chqs) is the signatory, who signed. So, if you were signatory on your husbands account and chqs, signed by you, bounced, then YOU are in trouble, not even the account holder 3) If there are civil cases, you find out via lawyer 4) All above sees you as signatory of the account. It has nothing to do with being his spouse. As of my experience, UAE does not apply "Family Liability".

391

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 30 July 2015 - 19:32

Try these: http://www.detainedindubai.org/#!police-checks/c246s They might be able to help you and apparently their fees are reasonable.

904

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 30 July 2015 - 19:29

mrsmoo - as far as I am aware the debts have not been fully paid off. My husband and I split shortly after our return home, I should have mentioned this in my original post. However, I am not yet divorced so this would probably not make a difference. I had assumed that our visa's would naturally expire as they were not renewed by the sponsor whose company went out of business. It is cancelled in my passport so I think that I may have done this at the airport when we left? It is hard to remember exactly what happened. If it's cancelled on the passport then there is no issue with entering.

904

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 30 July 2015 - 19:21

Did you cancel your visas before leaving? I know your residencies have expired now but I think they need to be cancelled in the immigration system. if they are not cancelled you might not be able to enter the country without canceling your residency in the system. Residence visas automatically expire if you are out of the UAE for more than 6 months. So I think that it's automatically entered into the system. [b'>To the OP: [/b'> I would absolutely get a lawyer to help you with this because of the complexity and gravity of the situation. The only thing I can suggest is that you contact Ludmila Yamalova who does a show on Dubai Eye 103.8. She seems to do a lot of short Q/As on the show. I think people send in interesting questions/topics and she decides what to read on air. Or if you have the money (and especially because this is time sensitive), I would hire a reputable Dubai-based lawyer for a 1-hour consult on the phone. And lastly...no one has the right to judge you or your family for what you guys did. Good luck. An expired visa is not the same as cancelled visa.

ThirdCultureFamily

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 30 July 2015 - 18:40

Did you cancel your visas before leaving? I know your residencies have expired now but I think they need to be cancelled in the immigration system. if they are not cancelled you might not be able to enter the country without canceling your residency in the system. Residence visas automatically expire if you are out of the UAE for more than 6 months. So I think that it's automatically entered into the system. [b'>To the OP: [/b'> I would absolutely get a lawyer to help you with this because of the complexity and gravity of the situation. The only thing I can suggest is that you contact Ludmila Yamalova who does a show on Dubai Eye 103.8. She seems to do a lot of short Q/As on the show. I think people send in interesting questions/topics and she decides what to read on air. Or if you have the money (and especially because this is time sensitive), I would hire a reputable Dubai-based lawyer for a 1-hour consult on the phone. And lastly...no one has the right to judge you or your family for what you guys did. Good luck.

72

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 30 July 2015 - 17:52

when you apply for a loan / CC in the bank , you always have to give them a details of one of your family members with a copy of official ID. since you had a CC shared with your husband hes supposed to provide the bank with your full details also. if the CC is not canceled and paid by the time you left UAE am afraid that yes they have your name in the immigration system. if the amount is very big and its worth , they do include the spouse name in the immigration am saying the above as i used to work in HR department , and we had cases where employees resign from overseas with high debt etc ..

sourskittleashnut

984

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 30 July 2015 - 16:35

lakesidelady - your pink visa page on your passport needs to have the red "Cancelled" stamp on it for it be considered cancelled. If not, then it's a much longer process to reenter the country.

1

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 30 July 2015 - 16:22

mrsmoo - as far as I am aware the debts have not been fully paid off. My husband and I split shortly after our return home, I should have mentioned this in my original post. However, I am not yet divorced so this would probably not make a difference. I had assumed that our visa's would naturally expire as they were not renewed by the sponsor whose company went out of business. It is cancelled in my passport so I think that I may have done this at the airport when we left? It is hard to remember exactly what happened.

904

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 30 July 2015 - 15:56

Did you cancel your visas before leaving? I know your residencies have expired now but I think they need to be cancelled in the immigration system. if they are not cancelled you might not be able to enter the country without canceling your residency in the system.

116

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 30 July 2015 - 15:43

Have you not paid off the debt in the last 6 years? Could you not pay it off and then travel? Were you on his Visa?

146

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 30 July 2015 - 14:31

If your husband was the primary account holder of loans/credit cards, then you were/are not liable for his debt. Banks will normally only file a case if the amount is worth pursuing. However, it would be prudent to check with Dubai immigration if you still have your residency card number and they will advise you. I would personally not go to the police as any possibility of knowing you will come back, should it be an issue, may prove detriment.

2287

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 30 July 2015 - 14:30

I would expect you to be held accountable for your husbands debts, until they've been fully paid. So as was suggested, try to find out. You don't want to find out at the airport. Don't take it personal, but I truly hope that anyone who's left this, or any other country, with debts, is expected to pay them before being allowed to return.

122

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 30 July 2015 - 14:17

The best would be to research the police register and see if any docket is open in your name. Engage a local lawyer to assist you with that. It is always useful to have a clear conscience, even if you need to come back to the UAE for any other reasons

Log in to post new content in the forum.

ON EXPATWOMAN TODAY

Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, Dubai packages and offers

Embark on Incredible Stay and Dining Experiences at the Heart of the Desert

Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort packages and offers

Book Early, Save More at Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort

Dubai Police will waive traffic fines occurred on April 16th 2024

Authorities to Waive All Dubai Traffic Fines Incurred on April 16

Jood platform | Support Dubai residents affected by floods

Here's How You Can Support Dubai Residents Affected by Floods Through Jood

Dr. Kamil Al Rustom Skin and Laser Centre Tesla Sculpt and Emsculpt

These Bodysculpting Treatments in Dubai Will Burn Fat and Build Muscle in No Time

Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort Fujairah UAE

For a Relaxing Getaway in the UAE, Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort Has You Covered

Dubai resident checked in at a hotel with his camel

UAE Resident Checked in at a Dubai Hotel With His Pet Camel

Skin Cancer Treatment in Dubai

Skin Cancer Treatment in Dubai: Risk Factors and Types of Treatments

UAE air pollution

UAE Ranks as 7th Country in the World With the Worst Air Qualities

A student sitting on a couch using a laptop for home schooling and alternative learning

Build Your Child's Education Your Way, With King's InterHigh

How to get university degrees attested in the UAE

How to Get Your University and College Degrees Attested in the UAE

What are the signs that your online date is a fraud

8 Warning Signs Your Online Date is a Scammer

What is the penalty for cheating on a UAE university college exam?

UAE Students Cheating Can Risk a Fine of Up to AED 200,000

Are UAE Domestic Helpers Allowed to Work on a Trial Period and Hired After?

Are UAE Domestic Helpers Allowed to Work on a Trial Period and Hired After?

Special packages at Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai

Indulge, Dine & Unwind: 4 Unique Day Packages at This Luxury Dubai Resort

RTA bans e-scooters in Dubai Metro and Dubai Trams

Electronic Scooters Are Now Banned From Dubai Metro and Trams

Top places in UAE to see and interact with animals

Top Places in the UAE to See and Interact With Animals

How to Find the Right Plastic Surgeon in the UAE

How to Find the Right Plastic Surgeon in the UAE

UAE Fine of AED 5,000 for smoking in the presence of children

Minimum AED 5,000 Fine for Smoking Near Children in the UAE

How to report an item missing in a Dubai Taxi

Lost & Found: How to Report a Missing Item Left in a Dubai Taxi

Top British Private Schools in Remraam Dubai | South View School Dubai

The Learning Garden at South View School: Cultivating Curiosity and Joy in Early Education

Dubai Metro Blue Line news

Dubai Metro Blue Line: What to Know About the Extension So Far

Dog-friendly public parks in Dubai | Dubai Islands Beach dog park

Dog-Friendly Places in Dubai: Inside Dubai Islands Beach Dog Park

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Cancers in UAE

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Cancers

Can you get fired in the UAE for having a mental health condition?

Can I Get Fired in the UAE For My Mental Health Condition?

Are Family Members Required to Pay Their Relative's UAE Debt?

Are Family Members Required to Pay Their Relative's UAE Debt?

How to pick the best early education nursery school in Dubai

How to Choose the Best Early Education in Dubai

British Expats Living in UAE For More than 15 Years Can Now Vote in UK General Elections

How British Expats in the UAE Can Vote for UK General Elections

Vertical shopping mall in Dubai | Dubai's second tallest building

Dubai's Second Tallest Tower Will Have a Vertical Shopping Mall

Dubai Neighbourhoods New Names 2024 news

These Dubai Neighbourhoods Officially Changed Names: Emirates Hills, Motor City, etc.

Dubai Nol Card Increases Minimum Top Up Fare to 20 Dirhams

Dubai Nol Card New Minimum Top Up Fare Increased to AED 20

Adult Acne Treatment in Dubai | Dubai Dermatologists

Common Misconceptions about Acne Vulgaris Clarified

UAE Family Staycation Offer at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort

Unlimited Family Fun Awaits at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort