Consular newsletter: May 2015
Updated 6 November 2018
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukinuae-consular-newsletter/consular-newsletter-may-2015
Your British Embassy Newsletter
The Embassy is looking at ways to enhance our newsletter and we would like to hear your views and opinions on what you would like to hear about each month. If you would like to be part of our focus group please email us with your details to UKinUAE or send us your suggestions.
Invalidation of your residency visa
Under new legislation, if you are out of the UAE for more than 6 months this will result in the cancellation of your residency. On your return you will need to apply for a new visa. Click Here for more details.
Checking Out Campaign
If you’re leaving the UAE soon, there are a few things you need to remember.
0.1 Bank Accounts, Credit cards and loans
Remember to clear all your debts before you leave the UAE. Non-payment of a debt is a criminal offence and could result in arrest and a possible prison sentence. If you have outstanding debts you may not be able to leave the country or you may be stopped and arrested if you try to come back to, or even transit through the UAE.
- cancel any credit cards, loans and overdrafts with the bank. It can take up to 2 months to complete all the paperwork.
- close any bank accounts if no longer required.
- request a bank clearance letter for your employer.
- leave a forwarding address for any future correspondence.
0.2 Employment & Visas
If your contract is coming to an end, you will need to hand over your passport temporarily to your employer who will cancel your residence visa.
- failure to do so could delay your departure or mean you are marked on the immigration system as an absconder.
- request your gratuity payout statement and payment from your employer. The Embassy does not get involved in employment disputes. Please contact the Ministry of Labour and refer to the List of Lawyers.
- return medical cards.
0.3 Accommodation
- give notice to your landlord in accordance with your lease.
- request and collect utilities clearance certificates:
- Abu Dhabi
- Dubai
- collect any deposits outstanding from the utility or phone companies
- cancel your contracts with your mobile phone, internet and TV providers.
- cancel any newspapers or other services delivered to your door.
- cancel your home contents insurance policy.
0.4 Cars and possessions
- sell your car before you leave or leave a Power of Attorney with a friend or colleague to sell it for you. If you do use a Power of Attorney, you will need a local lawyer to advise you on this. Please see List of Lawyers
- check for any outstanding traffic fines
- remember to cancel your Salik tag if you have one
- your insurance company may offer a rebate when the car is sold.
- get quotes for removals. It can take 6 weeks or longer to ship your belongings to the UK.
- decide what you are taking and either organise a sale to dispose of the rest or contact one of the companies that will take your junk for you.
0.5 Journey back to the UK
- book departure flights as far in advance as possible and make sure your passport is valid. Overseas Passports
- find out what your airline’s excess baggage limits are, as excess baggage charges can be expensive.
- if you have children enrolled in a school in the UAE, ensure you give sufficient notice in accordance with the school’s admission policy and so that they are able to prepare a transfer letter or certificate for your onward base.
- teachers and civil servants may require a Police clearance certificate if you are returning to the UK to work. For information on obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate / Certificate of Good Conduct from the UAE, visit the UAE Embassy website. More information is also on the Abu Dhabi e-government website, Dubai Police and Sharjah Police websites.
- if you are a pet owner, make sure you leave enough time to complete all of the necessary preparations and have all the correct paperwork to take your pets with you. For the UK, check out the documents required on the Gov.uk website.
0.6 Instagram Bridges
Check out our Instagram focus on bridges this month and how they compare in the UAE to the UK. Please send your photos of UAE/UK bridges to Instagram using the hashtag #FriendsinUKUAE and/or tag us @britishembassyuae
0.7 Contact Numbers
British Embassy - Abu Dhabi Tel: 02 610 1100; Dubai Tel: 04 309 4444
0.8 Gov.uk Website
The UK’s worldwide pages and consular information have moved to the new government’s single website Gov.uk. There is useful information about the UAE on there and it is also the new home of our travel advice.
0.9 Feedback
Have we provided you with a Notarial and documentary service in the last 12 months? Tell us what you thought of the service by completing a short online survey. Check here.