It is an eventual reality for many expats that they will eventually repatriate to their home country. While there may be a temptation to swiftly prepare for departure and catch the next available flight, failing to address personal matters could potentially result in unanticipated legal ramifications down the road.
Here we will look at what you need to do before leaving the UAE.
Cancelling phone contract.
Cancellation charges can vary among providers, so it’s essential to verify with your specific provider that all outstanding fees and monthly charges have been settled. Once the fees have been cleared, you can expect to receive confirmation within 72 hours from DU and instant confirmation from Etisalat. If you are a Virgin customer, your account will remain active until the renewal date, at which point it will be terminated.
Cancelling home broadband
To cancel your home internet, we advise contacting the company’s helpline on 101 for Etisalat or visiting the store. You can also check on the app to see what fees will incur. You should give more than 48 hours’ notice to cancel your plan.
For Du customers, it is advised that all outstanding fees need to be cleared and a month’s rental needs to be paid if you are still in contract.
Closing bank accounts and credit cards
Failing to handle this process correctly can lead to significant complications, making it an utmost priority to address before you departed from the country. Closing your bank account not only ensures your financial security but also provides peace of mind for any potential issues that might arise.
While specific procedures may vary among banks, the general steps are relatively consistent across the UAE. We strongly recommend a personal visit to your bank to initiate the account closure process, as it can be time-consuming. Ideally, it’s advisable to start this process 2-3 months before your departure. You will typically be required to complete an account closure form and send it to the bank’s closure team from your registered email address.
Closing water and electric account.
Your water and electricity connection needs to be disconnected before leaving the UAE.
To close your accounts you need to do the following.
Contact the correct authority for your emirate (DEWA Etc).
Inform the authority of your move-out date and advise which account to refund your deposit to.
Organise a final meter reading.
Pay your final bill and obtain a letter of closure.
Cancelling your residence visa
You must cancel your employment visa before you leave the UAE. To do so, you should inform your employer and hand over your visa to begin the cancellation process.
Clear outstanding traffic fines.
You can do this by contacting the relevant driving authority in your emirate. You can check your fines via the RTA app.
