Question: I have received an email from what looks like my bank asking for information. But with so many scams these days, I am wary of replying to give them any personal details.
When I telephoned my bank branch, the person didn’t know what I was talking about and asked me to speak to the head office, which was not helpful at all.
The email said: “Dear customer, our records show that you have not yet provided us with the necessary KYC documents, as a result your accounts with the bank are temporarily suspended. Please visit <name of branch> Dubai to submit all the required documents and to unblock your accounts.”
The person I spoke to didn’t know what KYC means and neither do I. JG, Dubai
Answer: JG is right to be wary about any emails requesting information, even if it appears to be from his own bank. With so many scams, it is sensible to always double-check before responding or sending any personal information.
In this situation, the request is genuine, although the bank should have worded it better and explained what they meant and what documents they need to see.
KYC stands for “Know Your Customer” and is part of anti-money laundering and compliance procedures followed by all regulated financial companies, whether they be banks, investment houses or advisers. Lawyers also follow these guidelines.
Essentially, a company must verify the identity of their customer and keep these documents up to date. For example, if a copy of a passport or visa held on file has expired, the financial institution should request sight of the new one. They must also keep copies.
JG should go to the branch with the original documents as requested. If his account has been suspended, that restriction will be lifted. Many banks also have an option to upload documents through their website or app.
Q: I am currently in the UAE on holiday, staying with family. As I have thought about moving here, I went to a job interview. I was offered the role but was asked to start working in two weeks’ time. The manager asked if I would start working before the company applied for a visa, so we could have a trial period.
Am I allowed to start working before I have a visa from this company? IE, UK
A: The short answer is no. No one is permitted to work for any company without having a residence visa and a work permit. To do so is illegal and subject to fines and other consequences.
This has always been the case and is set out clearly in the UAE labour law, specifically Federal Decree Law 33 of 2021. Article 6.1 states: “It is not permissible to undertake work in the UAE and the employer may not recruit or employ any worker, except after obtaining a work permit from the Ministry as per the provisions of this decree-law and its implementing regulations.”
This point is also made in Federal Decree Law 29 of 2021 Regarding Entry and Residence of Foreigners, which makes it clear that any non-national may not engage in employment without a valid UAE residence visa and a valid work permit.
Any employer that takes on anyone without a visa and proper permit can be fined in accordance with updates to the Federal Decree-Law on the Regulation of Employment Relationships made in August 2024.
This update says: “Individuals who commit the following violations (referring to illegal employment) shall be fined a minimum of Dh100,000 and a maximum of Dh1,000,000.”
If any employer tries to persuade someone to work illegally, that should raise alarm bells
Keren Bobker,
senior partner, Holborn Assets
Companies can also expect to be prevented from obtaining further visa and work permits.
Any person who works illegally is not protected by UAE law and is putting themselves at risk. They can also be fined and if anything goes wrong with the employer, such as not being paid or being mistreated, they cannot make a legal complaint.
Anyone looking to take up employment in the UAE must have a valid residence visa from their employer, a sponsor such as a spouse or parent, or a golden visa or similar. If they are sponsored by an employer, an application for the visa needs to have been made by the time the employee starts work as there is a short grace period for this to be processed. This also applies during any training period.
If any employer tries to persuade someone to work illegally, that should raise alarm bells. No one should consider working for an unscrupulous company that breaks a basic UAE law from the outset.
Contact her at keren@holbornassets.com or at www.financialuae.com
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
Baby Driver
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Lily James
Three and a half stars
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
