- Major Accounts to Cancel Before Leaving the UAE
- Other Things to Consider Before Moving Out of the UAE
- FAQs
If you are planning to leave the UAE, you need to ensure that all your loose ends are wrapped up to avoid any future legal complications. Fear not, though, because we’ve got you covered. To help you plan your move meticulously, here’s a complete guide on how to cancel all your accounts before leaving the UAE.
HOW TO CANCEL ALL YOUR MAJOR ACCOUNTS BEFORE LEAVING THE UAE
Let’s start with the basic accounts, contracts and services you need to end before moving from the UAE.
CANCELLING YOUR TENANCY CONTRACT
Cancelling your tenancy contract is one of the main things to do before leaving the UAE. As per Article 7 of the RERA tenancy law in Dubai, neither party – whether the tenant or the landlord – can break the contract before the end of the rental period unless mutually agreed upon by both parties.
Thus, the party terminating the contract must pay compensation or penalties as per the tenancy contract. This could contain a requirement to pay an additional rent of two months or give a two-month notice.
If you want to cancel your tenancy contract, it’s best to:
- Inform your landlord (in writing) about your relocation plans at least 90 days in advance.
- If you are breaking the contract early, you will likely need to pay a few months’ rent, as per the clauses stated in your tenancy contract. Here are some conditions for ending your lease early in Dubai. Make sure you abide by them.
- Get your security deposit back from your landlord. Your landlord or the company staff will inspect the property. They will only pay the deposit back in full if you’re handing over the property as was, without any damage.
- If you have made any major changes to the house, you might be deprived of the security deposit as a penalty.
- Once your contract has been cancelled, you can ask the landlord to give you back the remaining rent cheques you had previously given them.
- Ask your landlord to cancel your Ejari registration.
CLOSING BANK ACCOUNT AND CLEARING DEBTS
It’s important to clear any outstanding debts before leaving the UAE, as failing to do so could result in a prison sentence. Closing and clearing debts should be on your checklist of things to do before leaving the UAE. To close your account and clear debts, you need to:
- Close your bank accounts as per the bank account cancellation process in the UAE.
- Instigate the settlement and cancellation of loans, overdrafts and credit cards at least two to three months before leaving the UAE. The paperwork may take around 2 months to complete.
- Don’t forget to get a bank clearance letter for submission to your employer.
TERMINATING LANDLINE, INTERNET AND CELLULAR CONNECTIONS
If you need to close/cancel your Etisalat account or Du Telecom services:
- Visit any of their outlets with your Emirates ID.
- Call 155 for Du or 101 for Etisalat and verify the requested details, such as your method of payment and the last charges you paid.
- Pay the rental charges for the ongoing month and close the connection.
CANCELLING ELECTRICITY AND WATER CONNECTION
If you plan to relocate, you must cancel the electricity and water connection before departure. Here is how you can initiate the utility disconnection process across the varying emirates of the UAE:
ABU DHABI
- Initiate a request to Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) to close your accountvia call or through their website.
- Inform ADDC of the date you’re planning to move out.
- Decide how you want to receive your deposit. Provide your IBAN to get the deposit into your account. You can also get the refund transferred to another property account of ADDC or donate to the non-profit volunteer organisation – Emirates Red Crescent.
- An ADDC technician will come to check the meter readings.
- Pay the last bill to receive an account closing letter. You can also request it to be sent to you by email.
The entire process of closing an ADDC account will take around two days to complete.
DUBAI
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) provides water and electricity in Dubai. You must apply for the DEWA disconnection process for water and electricity connections.
SHARJAH
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) supplies water, electricity and natural gas, so you need to inform this department before relocating from the emirate. Here’s everything you need to know about the SEWA termination process.
AJMAN, UMM AL QUWAIN AND RAS AL KHAIMAH
The Federal Electricity & Water Authority (FEWA) oversees the basic utility services for the northern emirates. Learn about the process and charges to deactivate a FEWA connection in the UAE.
CANCELLING RESIDENCE VISA
If your employment contract is about to end, you will have to give your passport (temporarily) to your employer to cancel your residence visa.
This is an important step to avoid delays in departure or save yourself from any unnecessary hassle. You can also request your employer to grant your salary and potential gratuity payments during contract/visa cancellation.
If you are ending your employment, you must serve the required notice period, as per UAE labour law. Return medical cards and other official documents (if any) at the time of contract cancellation.
PAY OUTSTANDING TRAFFIC FINES
When moving from the UAE, clear any remaining traffic fines. You can check for any outstanding fines via the websites of the respective transportation authorities with specific emirates:
- For Dubai: Visit RTA’s website or explore how to check traffic fines in Dubai. You can also check and contest traffic fines in the UAE.
- For Abu Dhabi: Go to the Abu Dhabi Police’s official portal. For further details, follow this method to check traffic fines in Abu Dhabi.
- For Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah: Go to the Ministry of Interior’s (MOI) website to pay the fines.
- For Ras Al Khaimah: Head over to the eServices section on the Government of Ras Al Khaimah’s official website to pay off all the fines.
- For Sharjah: Visit The Sharjah Police Headquarters website or make a Sharjah traffic fines inquiry onlineto clear your dues.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE MOVING OUT OF THE UAE
Here is a list of other things that you might want to consider while relocating from the UAE:
SELLING YOUR CAR IN THE UAE
Selling your car is one of the essential things to do before leaving the UAE. If you’re thinking of selling your car in the UAE, here’s what you need to do:
- Get it properly serviced by a professional auto service provider.
- Take a series of high-quality photos of your car.
- Provide details about the service history and the specifications of your car.
- Post ads on social media platforms or visit second-hand car dealers/buyers in your emirate.
- Make sure you have enough time to get a good offer before you relocate. Low bids will ensue if the buyer knows you’re desperate to sell quickly.
- Clear all the dues, such as a car loan (if any) or Salik payments. If you must sell a bank-financed car, here is the complete process for selling your car with a loan in Dubai.
- Ensure the procedure for car ownership transfer in the UAE is complete before you leave.
SELLING YOUR FURNITURE
While many movers and packers in the UAE can ship your furniture to a new location, you can choose to sell it, too.
Advertise your furniture on social media or online marketplaces such as dubizzle, Buy It, Sell It, Swap It Dubai and The Luxury Closet to find the right buyer. Alternatively, you can distribute flyers around your area or talk to second-hand furniture shops in Dubai.
FAQs About cancelling your accounts before leaving the UAE
Can I close my bank account online, or must I visit the branch?
When permanently moving out of the UAE, clearing your dues and closing your bank account is essential. Most banks require that you visit the branch and initiate an account closure request.
However, depending on the bank, some allow account closure requests from abroad via your registered email address. Please note that banks can only close accounts with 0 balance, so make sure your dues are paid and the rest of the funds transferred.
WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO SELL A VEHICLE IN DUBAI?
According to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Dubai, there are many documents required to sell a car in Dubai, such as:
- Seller’s passport, original Emirates ID and vehicle ownership certificate.
- Buyer’s Emirates ID (original), passport copy, and/or residence visa (for non-GCC expats).
- Electronic insurance of a vehicle.
- Technical inspection certificate of the vehicle.
WHERE CAN YOU GO FOR THE TRANSFER OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP IN THE UAE?
To transfer car ownership in Dubai, you can visit RTA customer happiness centres, Tasjeel and Shamil service centres.
There you have it – a complete checklist of accounts to close before leaving the UAE. We hope all these tips and pointers ensure a seamless move for you!
