I left the UAE in March 2020 after resigning from my job because my company didn’t support working from home at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. I have no plans to return in the near future.
Before leaving the UAE, I closed all outstanding debts. However, due to the Covid-19 situation, I was unable to make a request via my bank’s customer care service to cancel my credit card.
After arriving home in India, I was able to lodge this request over the phone. Despite multiple follow-up attempts with customer care, I never received a call back on my number in India to confirm the cancellation of the card. Now, the bank has charged me late fees and interest against the card’s annual renewal fee. This amounts to Dh1,663.40.
I am not in Dubai, do not use this card, cannot make this payment for card renewal and need the card cancelled immediately. I don't understand why it is so difficult to cancel a card even after numerous expensive overseas calls. During my last communication with the bank, they threatened to lodge a police case and travel ban against me, among other punitive actions.
All outstanding dues were paid on the card and I froze it to avoid any possible fraudulent activity. How can the bank charge me a renewal fee plus interest and late payment charges when I requested that it be cancelled? Can you advise me on my rights? AJ, India
Debt panellist 1: Philip King, head of retail banking at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
You have done the right thing by taking responsibility and paying off all your outstanding dues prior to leaving the UAE. Your sense of accountability and commitment to finding a solution for this issue should benefit you when speaking to your bank.
Firstly, it is highly recommended that you continue contacting your bank, explaining that you have already sent multiple requests to cancel your card, have no outstanding dues to pay and no intention of using the card anymore. Also, reiterate that you no longer reside in the UAE due to your resignation and circumstances pertaining to Covid-19.
Now that you've tried to work through this with the bank with no success, you may have to file a formal complaint to get to a solution
It is usually sufficient to have your outstanding balances paid and to send a cancellation letter for the bank to confirm the request. However, you will need to refer back to the terms and conditions of your card for additional clarity on this situation. It would also be helpful to keep a record of your correspondence with the bank, which will help show your commitment to finding a fair resolution.
If your bank remains unhelpful, you may consider filing a complaint with the Central Bank of the UAE's Consumer Protection Department, which launched a new complaint management system in August 2020. The new system allows you to log a complaint if your bank has not accepted a complaint or provided you with a final response within 30 days of receipt.
You will need to provide your complaint reference number, along with proof of your efforts to contact the bank, for the Consumer Protection Department to follow up on your case.
Debt panellist 2: Ambareen Musa, founder and chief executive of Souqalmal.com
It does look like quite a few factors have come into play in this case. The fact that you requested the cancellation of your credit card after leaving the UAE made you miss out on some important checks.
Since your UAE number was probably no longer working, you may have missed notifications or authentication calls from the bank, which in turn could have obstructed your request. You should also have kept your bank in the loop about your plans to move back home. This could have helped kick-start the process of closing all loans, accounts and credit cards you hold in the country.
Now that you've tried to work through this with the bank with no success, you may have to file a formal complaint to resolve the issue. Did you receive any email or request number on the phone from the bank confirming that they've received your cancellation request? You may be liable to pay any interest/fees incurred on your credit card account before this date. You need to gather proof of all communication between you and the bank to support your case.
It's important to note that the Consumer Protection Department amended its complaint management system in August 2020. To resolve any grievance, you must first lodge a formal complaint with your bank.
Thereafter, you can file a complaint with the CPD in three scenarios: If the bank refuses to accept the complaint, or if it does not resolve it within 30 calendar days from the date of receipt, or if you are not satisfied with the resolution. You will be asked to provide the complaint reference number given by your bank in order to submit your complaint with the CPD.
When you have confirmation from the bank that your credit card account has been closed and you've received a "No Liability" or "No Dues" certificate from it, only then can you be 100 per cent sure that you have no sneaky credit card balance to worry about.
Debt panellist 3: Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES
Given you’ve settled all outstanding debts on your card, you are well within your rights to expect your bank to cancel it. Typically, banks require a written request for termination, which can either be done by downloading a card closure form from their website, or by contacting the card issuer directly about the exit process.
Do bear in mind that this process can take a minimum of 45 days in some cases to ensure all dues have been cleared, no future payments are scheduled and you, as the cardholder, are not liable to pay any other charges.
Based on your question, it appears you have done the above multiple times. You therefore may want to register a formal complaint with your bank in order to resolve your situation. To do so, however, they will require all the information regarding your case.
Take the time to make a detailed record of your communication with the bank regarding your situation ahead of pursuing a complaint. Once you have done this, ask for documented proof that they received your complaint and are proceeding to take action as it is their responsibility to try and resolve your issue.
You will also need proof of your card cancellation and clearance once the card has been cancelled.
Alternatively, if you feel the bank is not acting upon your request and the case hasn't been resolved, you can either file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Department via its website or by calling the toll-free number 800 CBUAE.
It is important to note that a complaint can only be registered with the Consumer Protection Department when the matter has been dealt with by the bank, but remains unresolved. The department will then determine if there has been a breach of the law and deal with it once identified.
The Debt Panel is a weekly column to help readers tackle their debts more effectively. If you have a question for the panel, write to pf@thenational.ae
What is the definition of an SME?
SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.
A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors.
The five pillars of Islam
What is a black hole?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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