unsureone

I need some advice please. We are planning to leave UAE before contract ends and move to another ME country as we will have labour ban against us. We cannot avoid the situation and as employer playing dirty so we have to jump ship over night. Cannot give notice as we wont get paid the last month. We want to take our cars with us but have a loan with bank here but we propose to continue payments as normal. What are the consequences of this. Is it as easy as we think? Just leave, have a 1 year labour ban against us, a annoyed employer who knows he's forced us into this situation, transport cars without problems. Any help would be great.

Blue Cat

this is a tricky one allright! I know people who have done it in the past but they have sold their cars etc all on the QT then left. Technically if your employer doesn't have your passport he can't cancel your visa. (I think I am right on this). If he can't cancel your visa technically the bank won't be aware that you have gone. BUT if he is playing nasty buggers then he could inform the bank and they may well call in their loan. Personally I would sell the cars and settle your affairs here.

unsureone

Would it matter to the bank though as we would still be making payments? We also have a personal loan with them for 5 years but as I said previously nothing would change with regards to payment of loans. He doesnt have our passports so cant cancel visa then. Dont think we can afford to settle affairs before we go. Dont like this situation but we cant stay and get made fools of at our expense. We have 1 year left on our contract but 2 years left on the UAE Labour contract. Basically we are being massively underpaid and need to start earning the right money elsewhere.

Blue Cat

I had a friend who did the same, he had huge debts and basially got on a plane and went to Bahrain. He spoke to the bank and ensured them that he would pay the payments outstanding to them and it all had a happy ending. Perhaps you could go and speak to the bank face to face and explain your situation and guarantee that you will make the payments. You don't want to get into trouble here with the banks as you could end up in Jail. It just isn't worth it. I think Indie Girl might be able to offer better advice as she works in a bank and might know what the routine is in a situation like this. I am guessing you are going to Oman, and want to take the cars with you? I think you will find that you need to export the vehicles from this end etc. I hope it works out for you and you get a new start in Oman. I know how you feel. My husband is being taken for a ride in my opinion

IndieG

No, the car registration will state it is mortgaged to a bank - so you would need the Bank's permission. However, the good news is that banks do provide a letter/permission to enable people travel to neighbouring countries (e.g. Oman, Saudi etc). Try and arrange for this tomorrow and tell them it is urgent - you're going on a holiday....

unsureone

Thankyou Blue Cat. We are also thinking of Bahrain but just dont want to end up in trouble, especially with 2 kids in tow! Need serious advice but dont want to be exposed before we do it.

Blue Cat

I agree, it is a difficult one and at the end of they day only you can make the decision. If the bank aren't involved with the cars then you won't be legal if you take them out of the country? You will obviously need their permission to take them to Oman permanently, but not on holiday .... but then if you decide to stay in Oman how are you going to register the cars there? you won't be able to come back here to do it as I would imagine that your employer with have you listed as an absconder and the cars will need to be registered in Oman etc .

IndieG

Hi,

Really depends on the bank - some banks are good/understanding, others are hopeless (e.g. Mashreq, RAK). Send me a PM, I might be able to advise you depending on the bank in question.

Will the resale value be enough to cover the loan outstanding? Do you have any friends you can trust to help you sell the car in your absence?

Sorry you're having to go through all this - hope the employer rots!

Norm_uk

I left the first company I worked with for three years and the bank called me in to say if I tried to leave without guaranteeing the car loan (of which only AED10K remained!!) would be paid I would be stopped at the airport!

The trouble was that I wasn't leaving at all (except to cancel the visa and come back on a visit) and just walked into another job but as there was no visa for about 6 months I had to get my wife at the time who was working to give back up cheques for the remaining payments...it was totally unneeded and humiliating but the bank were quite happy make threats despite me having a healthy account with them with no history of missed payments.

My advice would be forget your cars as you can get new cars wherever you go. Sell them on the quiet and pay back what you can if you get a good price...tell no one you're leaving and try to settle anything outstanding as you will be stopped at the airport or boarder should your employer or bank inform immigration (they only need a few hours notice and you will be marked on every computer in the UAE) and it can take weeks to clear up messes like that...I am sure your wife and kids would not be happy waiting in a UAE prison!

N.

Blue Cat

Norm is right, your gonna have to sell those cars, there is a guy on here looking for two cars. PM him the information.

Inselaffen

I was in a similar situation when I left my first company but the loan I had was from the company and the situation was made worse as they held my passport.

The labour laws here are one of the reasons I am seriously considering leaving.

Blue Cat

Hong Kong maybe no better

Inselaffen

am also applying for a job in Cyprus. could be a good compromise

Blue Cat

and handy for little trips back here

Chris79

Cyprus is fantastic. Not as hot as here as well. I spent a while over at RAF Akrotiri. Had a good time in Paphos
Good Luck.
I've been offered a job in the Maldives. I'm seriously thinking of taking it but would like to do at least one year here