Expat wants to check if Dubai police case is still open over unpaid debts

UK resident wants to return to UAE but is concerned about debts - since paid off - that built up after having to pay significant medical bills.

I left Dubai in 2009 and unfortunately left some unpaid debts behind. My daughter was born with a serious medical issue that needed urgent treatment and my company refused to pay the medical bill even though I had valid insurance. I was left with no option but to spend a great deal of money that I didn’t have to pay for her essential treatment. I took out a large personal loan and ran up big credit card bills. I have now been approached about a new job in Dubai, but have been unable to find a company that can find out whether I have any police cases lodged against me. I have recently paid off the money owed to the bank, which has been remarkably understanding, but I am not entirely convinced that they have retracted the police case they originally filed against me. Is there any way I can check whether there is a problem with me re-entering the UAE without having to actually do so? JD, UK

I offered to contact the bank directly to find out if the police case had been retracted, but Mr D has since received a letter from them, and I have seen a copy, confirming that there is no further liability on his part. To be sure there will be no further issues, I recommend that the situation is checked directly with Dubai Police. Mr D can ask a friend who is in Dubai to go to one of the main police stations with a copy of his passport, or the one that was current at the time he was living here, to ask if there are any cases registered. A letter of authority won’t do any harm and while they may have to wait a while, all the information should be on the police database. While detailed information will not be released to a third party, the police can confirm if there are any cases outstanding on their system so that action can be taken before arriving in the UAE.

Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with more than 20 years of experience. Contact her at [e-mail]. Follow her on Twitter at @FinancialUAE

The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek appropriate independent legal advice

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