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CategoriesBlog,  Marriage Law

7 Things To Know About Marriage Certificate Attestation In Dubai

A marriage certificate is a crucial prerequisite for every marriage in Dubai. Registering your wedding and getting the certificate attested whether you are a native or an ex-pat is compulsory, and a marriage certificate is an obligatory legitimate necessity in Dubai to evaluate your marriage legally.

An attested marriage certificate is essential for emigrants being married in Dubai to make their marriage legal in their homeland. If you intend to use them in the vicinity, there is no necessity for attestation for UAE authority for marriage certificates issued in the UAE.

How to Get an Attestation of Marriage Certificate in Dubai?

1. Marriage Certificate

An official document that verifies a couple is married is known as a marriage certificate. The public-government unit in Dubai documents and issues the marriage certificate, including the name of the two individuals, marriage time, marriage venue, and additional important facts. Attestation is required to make it lawful with the involvement of a legal consultant in Dubai.

2. Importance of Certificate Attestation

Document attestation is an important amenity that assists in authenticating your documents and identification papers. It establishes the facts on the record like signatures, names, etc. Besides the marriage certificate, various other certificates issued in Dubai require obligatory attestation. Typically, the types of documents attested are classified as commercial, personal, and educational.

The attested marriage certificate may be entailed for the following reasons.

  • To bring your partner on a residence visa.
  • To purchase a joint property with your partner.
  • To add the name of your partner to the passport.
  • To put your partner into your health insurance.
  • To register your heir’s passport.
  • To register for divorce.  

4. Estimated Time to Get a Marriage Certificate Attested

There are many documents that you may require for authentication. The estimated time needed for attestation of a marriage certificate hinges on some aspects, such as what kind of documents they are and the authority you want it from. Usually, it will take about two to three weeks to finalize, and the time still varies to aspects mentioned above because sometimes the necessary verifications are time-consuming.

5. Expense in Attestation of Marriage Certificate

The attestation charges differ according to the government unit involved and your homeland. It is recommended to pursue the assistance of a notary for marriage registration in Dubai.

6. Necessities for Marriage Certificate Attestation

Before directing the marriage certificate for attestation, the registrant must confirm that the marriage certificates have the following information.

  • The name of the two individuals.
  • Age of the couple.
  • Date of the marriage ceremony.
  • Addresses of both partners.
  • Marital status of both partners.
  • Location of the marriage.
  • Name of the witnesses from the sides of both partners.
  • The name of the individual or association that accomplished the marriage. 

7. Documents Essential for the Marriage Certificate Attestation

  • Original marriage certificate
  • Passport copy (only for ex-pats)
  • Visa copy (only for ex-pat)
  • Two pictures of the individuals
  • Letter of approval
  • Government ID card to verify the age and nationality of the couple.

Conclusion

If a marriage certificate is not attested, it is illegal in Dubai and other Emirates and leads to a violation of the law. The native authorities do not repute a document as legal unless there is a stamp of attestation. Before departing Dubai and other Emirates, ensure that your entire legal documents, including the marriage certificate, have already been attested. The UAE authorities are somewhat selective about the legal documents, and they only agree to take the attested marriage certificates. This article will be helpful to you if you are looking to get your marriage certificate attested.

Practice Areas

  • Commercial
  • Corporate
  • Dispute Resolution & Litigation
  • Banking & Finance
  • Insurance & Securitization
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

CategoriesBlog,  Real Estate

Checklist For First-Time Homebuyers In Dubai

Buying a home for the first time gives a different and unique feeling. All the excitement, nervousness, and anxiousness are running down the spine at the same time. Thoughts of getting the perfect property, negotiating the price, and the worries of doing the paperwork become a big deal for a first-time buyer.

Despite the anxiety and edginess, the joy of owning your new home is incomparable and indescribable. The thrill of finally settling down into your own house is hard to compare. But despite the happiness, excitement, and worries, there are several items, steps, and methods that a new buyer should be acquainted with as they get started searching for a home to avoid any large pitfalls or mistakes. Therefore, it is paramount for every new buyer to learn how to buy a new house, read some simple guides, take professional advice, and double-check decisions as suggested by the top-notch advocates in Dubai to move forward.

It is pivotal to read and learn from different resources while condensing down to some inevitable points that become your checklist for buying a property in Dubai for the first time.

5 Tips for First-Time Homebuyers in Dubai

Preparing a checklist for your home buying process is critical as it plays a vital role in picking or selecting the right place for yourself and your loved ones. Moreover, it is also important to plan in advance and do all the things beforehand so that there aren’t any regrets later and you become a

1. Visit Different Properties or Locations

Many people don’t consider it important, but visiting different locations and witnessing different properties gives you the perfect idea of your ideal property or whether or not you are connecting yourself with the house.

The first is to check or make up your mind about the different types of properties in Dubai. For instance, Commonhold, Freehold, or Usufruct. Learning about these different property types will easily help you understand your requirements and will also acquaint you with different market conditions. Here is a little sneak peek of what these 3 property types are;

 In Freehold areas, there are some restrictions that you or your legal advisor in Dubai will have to look out for. Renting or selling out your property has its own set of requirements that may or might change your preference.
 Investing in real estate properties is great. And the excitement grows immensely upon returning that the commonhold areas are lands or properties that are owned by anyone falling under the inheritance laws.
 The next is the Usufruct category which has a set pattern of 20 good a policeman, it wouldn’t be more. These are mainly the particular requirements, such as a lease term of at least 99 years and 50 years if you violate the commercial purposes.   

2. Undermining Mortgage Options

Another thing to focus critically on is the mortgage options. This is an option that gives flexibility in terms of financial assistance while ensuring the ownership of your house too.

As for the mortgage options in the UAE, a mortgage plan is considerably the most secure and credible form of ensuring ownership and payment convenience at the same time. So, considering several options to gauge what’s best for you is critically important. However, there are some important factors that you must know beforehand in order to proceed with it;

The first is to understand the interest rate as the banks in the UAE offers different interest rates on different mortgage plans. Therefore, it is critically essential to purchase a property from understanding the fixed-rate mortgage options to considering the others variables or the ones that meet your requirements.
The mortgage options for expats are different than usual. You must know that interest rates are higher for expats and usually range from 3.5% to 5%.
The next condition to bear important in mind is the loan tenure. This will help you understand the requirement and then the execution of the process.
As per the mortgage extension options, the standard extensions for a long-term phase usually go up to 25 years in total.

Another factor is that several banks offer fewer tenures considering their own preferred plans for mortgaging.   

3. Involve a Legal Consultant

Involving legal consultancy is also a critical factor that must become worthy of your consideration. Their involvement will ensure that you are compliant with all the legal requirements of your home buying process and don’t violate any critical legal obligation;

A legal consultant will certainly help you negotiate with different real estate agents. They will be responsible for all the documentation and legal paperwork involved in the process.
They will also do the home inspection.
They will review disclosures and conduct necessary home inspections.  

4. Preparing the Initial Deposit

Preparing the initial deposit is something that should be on your checklist, no matter what else you have prepared. This is something that will help you understand the overall cash flow needed as well as what you have in your hand. Often, this step also helps in clearing the hassles that might arrive in the later run.

Moreover, if you are short on cash, this will also help you in understanding the disturbing cash flow and wouldn’t let you make further steps if you don’t have sufficient requirements.

5. Narrow Down Your Research

Another critically important aspect is narrowing down your research. This will help you gauge all the available options and filter out the properties that aren’t suitable for your needs. So, this aspect helps individuals set and meet their requirements in terms of lifestyle, budget, future, and overall requirement analysis. In addition, you wouldn’t be picking or making choices for the houses in an abrupt manner, which can greatly impact the overall future stability of your first-time home buying process.

The Final Takeway

If you are a potential first-time homebuyer, it is essential to learn about the market, research the real estate process, and do your study before concluding with any final point. This is a little pressurizing in the beginning, but if you create a checklist that these steps will eventually help you with, getting your hands on the best property wouldn’t be a problem for you. Moreover, you can also acquire the legal services of the best legal firm in Dubai, i.e., Mai Alfalasi, to avoid unseen consequences.

Practice Areas

  • Commercial
  • Corporate
  • Dispute Resolution & Litigation
  • Banking & Finance
  • Insurance & Securitization
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

CategoriesBlog,  Legal Laws

Critical Factors To Know About Drone Laws In Dubai

Technology is incrementing its horizons with every passing day. New technological advancements, gadgets, and devices are being manufactured for convenience and improvement for people. When we think of all the tens of thousands of innovative devices that have taken over the world by storm, Drones are no objection to us.

The increasing use of drones for a variety of purposes has increased in recent years, considering the soaring wings it gives to our unrivaled fancies. But since the use of drones has grown in Dubai, people are leveraging and exploiting their service at the same time.

In fact, the new rule and changes have been introduced regarding the use of drones by the Ministry of Interior of the UAE. The new impositions have been restrictive on the use of drones or other similar aircraft without the must-needed permission from the authorities. The recent changes and implementation of laws have strictly enforced the owners and practitioners of drones to abide by the regulations set in order to set clear boundaries for everyone.

Flying drones are considered Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which now have strong regulations from the authorities, and violating them would mean severe consequences.

Implementing new strategies and enforcing laws on flying drones was become the need of an hour. There have been continuous reports of drone owners trespassing into the prohibited zones, covering classified businesses, promoting real estate building projects without consent, and sometimes endangering lives to the greatest.

Whether you are flying your drone up in the public air, using it for an outdoor advertisement, covering someone’s special moment, or even using it for a sail sport event, the use of it has a permanent ban for everyone. The authorities and governmental bodies have clearly indicated that people use drones in order to save themselves while not becoming a public menace to any other individual or property. Moreover, the Ministry of Interior and the General Authority of Civil Aviation have issued new guidelines and set rules.

General Rules for Flying Drones in Dubai

Be it the requirement is for recreational purposes, photography, advertisement, or aerial survey, etc., the general rules have been the same for everyone, and practicing them is mandatory at all times.

Permission for Flying a Drone – My Drone Hub Application

It is evident that flying drones in Dubai is legally not allowed at all costs and is considered an offense that must be dealt with solutions to avoid uncertain events. However, there is an exception, and permission has been issued for organizational usage.

In order to regulate this permission fully compliant with the authorities, an all-in-one application has been created, i.e., My Drone Hub, to assist the users with authorization. This app mainly allows the users to fly drones and do photography in the areas that are permitted to fly drones. However, there are specific regulations and laws pertaining to it that you must acquire yourself;

 The height allowed to fly drones in a specific radius is about 400 feet.
 The use of the app is mandatory as it gives the perfect information regarding the place with an interactive app that gives a clear status at all times.
 The drone must be registered with the DCAA before anyone fly it in the allowed territory.
 In order to obtain registration for your drone, photographs and a training certificate for the drone are pre-requisites.
 The weight of the drone is limited to only 5 kilograms.
 You can only fly your drone in the allowed radius, and crossing that radius would result in a penalty.
 The drone must be carefully inspected for any drop or release device.
 The drone you intend to fly must be certified for recreational purposes and not for any commercial activity without the authorities’ consent.
 No one is allowed to fly a drone in public or private places other than the permitted radius.
 The direct radio link between a drone and a user must be of specific frequencies such as a frequency of 29.7 – 47.0 MHz with a max power of 10 mW or 2400-2500 MHz and a max power of 100 mW.
 As far as there are strict restrictions for flying drones only in the limited radius specified by the authorities, no other area is permitted for flying drones in any case.
 Another thing to keenly consider is not flying drones within the 5 km radius of the airport outer fence, helicopter landing sites, and airfields.
 If anyone is facing any sort of an issue regarding the malfunctioning of the My Drone App, you are suggested to contact the authorities upfront, such as DCAA, before flying your drone without having a stable connection with the app.  

The Prohibition on Flying Drones – Why?

Flying drones in Dubai is a serious and illegal practice, as it is clearly stated and mentioned by the authorities considering the new law implementation after January 2022. The permission for flying drones for an individual is restricted considering the imposition of laws and penalties for violating them.

Earlier in the March of 2021, the Dubai Municipality banned flying drones in public parks considering the growing and emerging menace for people. This later grew from bad to worse where the individuals are strictly advised and prohibited from flying drones in the residential areas on account of complaints from the people. Since then, the prohibitions keep on adding one after another, and now a set space of limited radius has been allotted for flying drones, and anywhere else is considered to be a strict violation.

Fines for Flying Drones in Dubai

If someone breaks or violates the law for flying drones in Dubai, they will be dealt with strictly or in some cases, imposed with heavy fines. Here are some of the fines that you must remember at first;

 Article 69 of the GCAA clearly states that violating the UAV rules results in hefty fines and imprisonment.
 The fine amount might range from AED 50,000, depending on the issue or violation.
 The jail term can be up to one year.
 As for the people who caught up flying drones in prohibited areas may face prison sentences ranging from 6 months to 5 years, while the fine amount might rise to AED 100,000. 

Register Your Drone

If you have a recreational drone, you can register it with the DCAA registration website, apply for the service, and pay so you can get approval. Below are the service charges for the following registrations;

 Professional drones – AED 100
 Tourist drones – AED 100
 Knowledge Dirham Fees (KDF) – AED 10
 Innovative Fee – AED 10   

The Final Takeway

It was in February 2022 that the drone ban was extended along with all the necessary requirements for the flying space and other restrictions. If you are planning on flying a drone in Dubai, this article will help you understand all there is to understand before it is too late

Practice Areas

  • Commercial
  • Corporate
  • Dispute Resolution & Litigation
  • Banking & Finance
  • Insurance & Securitization
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

CategoriesBlog,  Legal

How To Get Power Of Attorney In Dubai

Power of attorney is a legal document or agreement where an individual authorizes another individual to look after the processes or take ownership while also the companies that give a person the authority to act on their behalf.

Here, the person who gives others the chance and authority to take charge or handle the position is the ‘grantor or principal.’ While the person who is being given the charge or responsibility is understood as the ‘agent or grantee.’ The requirement of power of attorney may arise for several reasons.

When we talk about the UAE, the legal age of an individual to become a grantor must be over 21 years, and they should be mentally, emotionally, and psychologically stable and firm. No matter if you are a foreign business with a power of attorney in a foreign language when you are planning to expand your business in Dubai or any other Emirate of the UAE, you will need to have it translated into Arabic and then move forward by getting a legalized status in the UAE. For this, the legal consultants in Dubai can help you with all the formalities and legal documentation for getting a power of attorney.

As for driving to the legal Power of attorney, the grantor needs to put signature in all capacities to authorize a legal representative in the concerning matters. However, a power of attorney is based on a trustworthy relationship, and any falseness and violation will be considered fraud and subject to getting punishment as per the laws and regulations in the UAE.

Types of Power of Attorney

When someone plans to add another person to their power of attorney, the principal can choose from these mentioned types of power of attorney lawfully accepted, authorized, and accessible in UAE. With this said, here are the main types of power of attorneys in the UAE.

1. General Power of Attorney

The general power of attorney opts in conditions when a principal wants to transfer authority to the agent while they are absent due to traveling or when they are physically or mentally incapable of handling things independently. Through this, the agent who the principal has selected will be able to perform a number of legal tasks, including tax return filling, signing contracts, bank transactions, and dealing with real estate property in terms of selling and purchasing.

2. Special Power of Attorney

The other is the special power of attorney that is granted to an agent for taking care, handling, or dealing with a special affair on behalf of the principal or in their absence. You will require the services of a professional lawyer in Dubai to help you develop the unique power of attorney stating the particular actions and powers that the agent will perform. The agents will only be able to perform the tasks or deal with the matters that are said or mentioned in a power of attorney.

3. Lasting Power of Attorney

The lasting power of attorney is only available and caters to the residents in Dubai. People who are confronting health issues and will not be able to render their services or manage the work can authorize the other person to take care of the matters through the lasting power of attorney. For this power of attorney, the principal will make all the relevant arrangements to transfer the authority to someone trustworthy to make decisions for them in the future.

Notarizing a Power of Attorney in Dubai – The Process

The process of notarizing a power of attorney is simple and precise. Here is a step-by-step explanation;

 The first step is to submit a power of attorney to the notary public, where they review it.
 You will also need to enclose the attestation fee that varies from the categories mentioned earlier.
 After the review and clearance, they stamped and sealed it as a legal document
 Adhering to the language is paramount – the language must be Arabic. Moreover, you can also file the translation of your power of attorney in the required language.
 If you are outside of the UAE and file a power of attorney, it should first be stamped and sealed by the Embassy in UAE. Then it will be authorized by the notary public office.
 You can also take assistance from professional lawyers and legal consultants in Dubai to get a private notary service in Dubai. 

Documentation Required for Notarization of Power of Attorney

Here is a list of documents that you must provide for notarizing a power of attorney in Dubai, UAE. 

  • Original passport of the principal
  • One photocopy of the principal’s passport.
  • Three copies of a power of attorney must be notarized.
  • Original Emirates ID card of the principal.
  • Copy of the Emirates ID card of the principal. (only for UAE residents)

Benefits of a Notarized Power of Attorney

Here are some of the benefits of a notarized power of attorney in the UAE;

 There wouldn’t be a better way to handle the special task or give hold of your real estate property to someone in the UAE.
 Your precious time, money, and comfort are all saved.
 Be it for your property or business, your authorized person will be able to represent you in your absence.
 If you want to save your investments, this is a perfect way to do so.
 You can legally buy, sell, or invest in UAE with a notarized power of attorney. 

The Final Takeway

So, moving towards the end, we can say that a power of attorney is a legal document that provides top-class security of your property, investment, and transactions while being in the UAE. From personal to business matters, it is useful in so many ways. In a nutshell, you must approach a
reputable law firm in the UAE to get all the information regarding a power of attorney in a legal and regulated manner.

Practice Areas

  • Commercial
  • Corporate
  • Dispute Resolution & Litigation
  • Banking & Finance
  • Insurance & Securitization
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

CategoriesBlog,  Legal Laws

All You Need to Know About the MOFA Attestation in UAE

MOFA stands for The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is a governmental body for attestation of documents for legalization from the originating country of an application willing to work or settle in the United Arab Emirates. When an individual plans to visit the other country, they need to have an attestation from a governmental regulatory authority for a variety of documents, and this all funnels from the MOFA attestation body in the UAE.

It is said to be a mandatory process for validating the authenticity of important documents, including certifications that are pre-requisite for employment, education, medical, or visa procedures. When we talk about the UAE, the attestation services are being provided both inside and outside of the country, which is regulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), now known as the MOFA Attestation UAE.

Citizens, residents, investors, students, tourists, companies, and expats – all get the MOFA attestation to get their documents cleared and sealed by the UAE authorities.

Documents for MOFA Attestation

A broad category covers the documents and certificate verification and attestation in the UAE. Both issues documents inside or outside UAE tend to fall in this category. As for a brief clarification, here are a few documents that MOFA attestation services cover in the UAE;

  • Educational Certificates
  • Medical Certificates
  • Birth Certificate
  • Death Certificate
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Real Estate Contracts
  • Business Contracts
  • Commercial Invoices
  • Divorce Documents
  • Partnership Deeds
  • Registration
  • Board Resolution
  • MOA
  • Loss of Foreign Passport
  • Police Report
  • Experience Certificate
  • Judicial Rulings
  • Article of Association
  • Board of Directors’ Decisions
  • Commercial Licenses & Agreements
  • Financial Statements
  • ISO Certification
  • Company Contract
  • For Patent Registration, you will require a legal consultant in Dubai, UAE.

Types of MOFA Attestation in the UAE

Here are the two types of MOFA attestation in Dubai that an individual can get;

  • The first is the Inbound MOFA Attestation, which covers those who apply for a residential visa in the UAE, are opening up a business in UAE, or are looking to get a family visa and will have to get their documents attested from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the home country.
  • The other is the outbound MOFA Attestation, particularly for the people who are moving out of the UAE and have to get their docum ents attested.

Process for MOFA Attestation in UAE

For both inbound and outbound, you will need to have MOFA attestation in UAE, which is possible by following the devised roadmap.

  • The first and most important step is to open the MOFA attestation portal.
  • Select the type, i.e., individual entity or a company.
  • The next step is to fill out all the information in the fields required. However, if you have a SmartPass account with all the information inserted, you can use the sign-in credentials to fill up this form.
  • The next part is to attach all the documents that you wish to get attested.
  • Manually select the intended authority for attestation and submission.
  • As soon as you are done with this, your application will be sent to the authority for review. If your application meets all the requirements and conditions, you will get an approval email leading to the payment gateway.
  • Now that you have received the approval email, the next step is to move further with the payments and fees.
  • As soon as you are done with the process, the final step of MOFA Attestation in UAE comes where you will be required to visit the nearest Customer Happiness Centre or the UAE Embassy in your home country to get the documents attested.
  • Furthermore, you can also use the MOFA Attestation App on your smartphone for the document attestation process. For this, you will need to download the MOFA App and select the user type according to your requirements, followed by the option where you have to click on the Attest Official Document or Certificates and sign in with your account.

MOFA Attestation in UAE – Fee Structure & Duration

  • As for MOFA Attestation for individual certificates and documents, be it issued in the UAE or outside of UAE, the fee amount is AED 150 each for a document or certificate attestation.
  • People will gain a commercial perspective in UAE requiring document or certificate attestation will be required to pay AED 2,000 on every document or certificate.
  • MOFA attestation in UAE is a mere process of a few days, but in emergency cases, you can also get attestation on the same day.

The Final Takeway

So, MOFA attestation in UAE is a certain requirement whether you wish to attain an employment visa and labor card in the UAE, pursue higher studies, acquire international business opportunities, and get residence visas.

Practice Areas

  • Commercial
  • Corporate
  • Dispute Resolution & Litigation
  • Banking & Finance
  • Insurance & Securitization
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

CategoriesBlog,  Legal

All You Need to Know About the New 5-Year Residency Scheme – UAE Green Visa

The government of the United Arab Emirates has recently introduced and implemented new changes for entry to the UAE and entry visas for foreign professionals or aspirants. You must have heard about the recent developments in the UAE Green Visa, which must have been an effort to ease the processing of entry in the UAE.

This has eventually raised the facts about how ideal life would become for entrepreneurs and those willing to pick UAE as their working location. However, some new rules have been associated with this new UAE Green Visa that you must know beforehand.

Purpose of UAE Green Visa

Hundreds of thousands of people around the world want to live in the UAE. But all of them must follow the legal documentation in order to do so. And out of all the requirements, the most important one has a visa application that will precisely allow you to live in the country. And for this, there are several types of visas that you can choose from and decide your status to live in the UAE from.

And out of all the visas, the UAE Green Visa is one of its kind that is newly introduced and the one that offers you the legal status to stay in the country for 5 years. The initial purpose of this UAE Green Visa is to allow the people to stay for a longer period of time and make a better living for themselves. From skilled individuals to big-scale investors, students to graduates, businessmen to entrepreneurs, and even recognized universities – this visa reform offers more to the people. Hence, the benefits and flexible requirements are great for people willing to work or stay in the UAE.

Moreover, the incentivizing scheme that this visa offers is beyond mere understanding. This also allows the visa holders to obtain family members’ residence for a flexible period in the country. Thus, it simplifies the overall residence visa schemes and provides better opportunities to people. 

Similar Visas to UAE Green Visa

When understanding the UAE Green Visa, the best law firm in Dubai, there are two more similar kinds of visas that describe and help you understand the visa categories more aptly;


 The other is the Freelancer visa, which helps individuals come and work in the UAE. However, the renewals for this visa are more frequent.  

The New Changes in UAE Green Visa

The government of the UAE announced a new entry system that is related to visas for the people in UAE. The reason for the changes in the UAE Green Visa offers tons of benefits to foreigners or expats planning on traveling and staying in the UAE.

The new and most talked about development is the grace period that this visa particularly offers. If the visa of a holder expires, the individual can stay up to a period of 6 months after the expiration. The purpose of this entry system is to offer the benefits of better-staying options to skilled professionals, investors, and freelancers.

UAE Green Visa for Investors

The government of UAE is offering great chances for investors from around the world to invest in the UAE and get UAE Green Visa. This encourages the investors for commercial activities and gets this visa to stay in the country for as long as 5 years. And if they had previously issued a residence visa for 2 years, it will be replaced by the 5-year plan.

As for the requirements, the investor needs to have approval and proof of investment from the authorized departments in the UAE. And if the partner has more than 1 license, the total amount of capital invested will also be calculated. However, the requirements of having an investor wouldn’t be mandatory.

UAE Green Visa for Skilled Employees

Skilled employees in the UAE can apply for a 5-year UAE Green Visa. With this, they can easily live and work in the UAE without having to get renewal for their visas in time. Moreover, this also ensures that they don’t require any sponsor or employer to issue the visa for them and complete the application themselves.

However, there are certain requirements regarding the documentation that all the applicants must fulfill to enjoy the benefits this visa offers. For example, the applicants should have a valid employment contract and should also clearly classify the first, second, and third occupational levels as per the requirement of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. Another thing to focus on is that the minimum salary should not be less than AED 15,000.

UAE Green Visa for Self-Employed & Freelancers

If you are a freelancer wanting to live and work in the UAE, this Green Visa of UAE is for you. Around the world, the flexible work models are growing and offering tons of benefits to the freelancing community. For requiring this visa, certain requirements must be fulfilled by the applicants themselves as they don’t need a sponsor or employer to have a visa issued for them.

Some documentation requirements must be provided and fulfilled by the application themselves. Moreover, the minimum educational level of a bachelor’s degree and a diploma in the relevant field is part of the requirement. In addition to this, the annual income for the last 2 years must not be less  than AED 360,000.

The Final Takeaway

The sole purpose of this UAE Green Visa is to introduce a scheme of distinguishing between a work permit and a residency visa. The requirements of having a green visa vary on the category you choose from, i.e., investors, freelancer or self-employed, or skilled glass. In a nutshell, the new visa scheme of 5 years is a great chance for any prospect to make a great living and lifestyle while being in the UAE.

Practice Areas

  • Commercial
  • Corporate
  • Dispute Resolution & Litigation
  • Banking & Finance
  • Insurance & Securitization
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

CategoriesBlog,  Legal Laws

How to Find a Commercial Lawyer for Your Business in Dubai

It doesn’t matter what business you run. If it is a startup or a large-scale established business, having someone to look after all your legal matters is paramount. No matter how careful you are with your business processes and operations, having a legal advisor who streamlines your business while abiding by all the laws and regulations.

It is important to hire a commercial lawyer as they will hedge your bets against legal problems in the future and invest time and resources now in finding a small business attorney. A professional business attorney will play the role of a compatible partner of your business who will help you see through the most challenging times for your company.

Furthermore, they will be great legal resources for your business to give the legal pair of wings rightfully needed for your subtle growth. From drafting the legal agreements to raising money, handling employee relations, to dealing with lawsuits – a commercial lawyer for your business will certainly be your needed partner.

5 Ways to Find a Commercial Lawyer for Your Enterprise in 2022

Hiring a corporate lawyer doesn’t mean you have to run out on your budget, and it protects your company from the legal troubles it might face. With that said, here are the 5 proven ways to find a commercial lawyer for your enterprise in 2022.

1. Determine Why Need a Corporate Lawyer

Whether you are a startup business, a mid-sized company, or a large-scale enterprise with solid operational and functional setups, you will certainly need a corporate lawyer for your company. With this said, here are a few factors that make having a corporate lawyer necessary.

 Determining the business entity helps your company grow in the future. This is where a commercial lawyer will help you in understanding all the possibilities and impossibilities in the future.
 When you finally decide to sell equity of your business, this is where your legal advisor dedicatedly working for your company will help your business in drafting and dealing with all the legal proceedings.
 From drafting legal agreements and contracts, business lawyers will be the perfect resources for your company. They will ensure that your partnership agreements and corporate laws are fulfilled appropriately.
 In terms of providing your business by dealing with all the employment legal matters, your commercial lawyers will ensure that you don’t involve in any hassle and get all the things in a perfect manner. Moreover, compliance with labor law will be made at all times, and they will also inform you beforehand about the illegal terminations and the possible lawsuits you might get into.  

2. Ask All Your Relevant Questions

Now that you have met or finalized a few of the business advocates, the next step comes where you have to ask all the questions regarding your business clearly. This is what helps you understand them in a great manner while you can run your business without the fear of getting any legal complications against you. With this being said, here are a few questions that you should ask the potential corporate lawyer regarding your business;

 What is your total experience with small businesses?
 How will you contribute to my legal issue after learning about my concerns?
 Have you previously worked with small businesses?
 Do you have any conflicts of interest with my business?
 How will you format a communication channel? 

3. Get Referrals from Other Business Owners

Another thing you can do for great results asks for recommendations or referrals from other business owners. These could be the ones you know and the ones with formal acquaintance or recommendation. This is another thing to focus on when planning on hiring a legal advisor for your brand.

4. Understand the Expertise You Need

Another factor that you will need to focus on is the strong expertise you need from your commercial lawyer in Dubai. It is a high factor to consider as this will help you consult the best law firm with corporate lawyers with the experience you need in the areas you want. With this said, here are a few ideas of expertise that you might need from a commercial lawyer;

 The first is to understand the requirements of taxes and legal compliances in regard to that. Hiring a commercial taxation lawyer for this is what you need here.
 The next is to determine the need to hire an attorney for intellectual property that strongly focuses on your trademark, copyright protection, business patent, etc.
 Having strong expertise in commercial real estate is another factor to determine. For instance, you need a lawyer with expertise in purchasing commercial space for your business.
 Another strong area to focus on is litigation. If you want someone who has expertise in litigation, mediation, arbitration, etc., hiring a professional with expertise in these areas would be a great plus. 

5. Getting Clear on the Fee Structure

The cost of a business lawyer varies from service to service and experience to experience in some cases. If you are hiring a professional corporate lawyer from a prestigious law firm, you might also have to increase your budget for it. As for the basic understanding, here are a few of the factors that will automatically affect your cost;

 Experience as a commercial attorney.
 Size of your firm.
 Expertise you require.
 The complexity of your business domain or industry.
 Regulations you want them to work on. 

The Final Takeaway

Not only hiring a corporate lawyer will save your company from getting into the complications with legal matters, but it will also save you great time and money. This will allow you to save your efforts and focus on more driving factors for your rock-solid success. So, accessing the mentioned factors and hiring a commercial lawyer for your business will ensure your stability and high-class functioning.

Practice Areas

  • Commercial
  • Corporate
  • Dispute Resolution & Litigation
  • Banking & Finance
  • Insurance & Securitization
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

CategoriesBlog,  Drug Cases

Drug Trafficking Punishments In Dubai

The worldwide addiction epidemic is ongoing and makes headlines left and right. The drug trafficking empire stands strong even in the most challenging financial times and is rising continuously without a stop. In fact, it is one of the most lucrative forms of business in the criminal world.

Overwhelming reports were made a few years back stating that at least 6.1 out of every million people died from abusing drugs in the UAE. However, the drug abuse rate is comparatively low as compared to other countries, still, it has been an alarming situation for the officials and governmental bodies in the UAE.

As to put a complete stop and ban on drug trafficking, smuggling, or attempts to bring illegally, the government of the UAE is taking high measures in order to cope with the situation and bring an end to it once and for all. In recent years, the authorities have made successful attempts to cease the smuggling of millions of narcotic pills, narcotic substances, and other hundreds of thousand tons of drugs. The penalties and punishments have been made tougher for the violators in order to set solid examples. Even the law and advocacy firm in Dubai also suggests to its readers to stay away from these illicit activities through its blog section.

Drug Trafficking Highpoints in the UAE

The illegal drug trade starts by cultivating transformed plants into final products. From production to its distribution and sale of the substance, the whole drug industry has a net worth of $32 billion, according to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

The reports suggest that drug cartel activity is increasing even in the poorest parts of the world. For instance, Mexico is underprivileged to the point that 30% of the population can’t buy food. The immense drug cartel activities extravagate this situation. The local people in these countries may otherwise be law-abiding and honest and may succumb to the temptation of illicit trade of narcotics, as it may appear to be their only choice for survival.

However, when we talk about UAE, the local and custom laws are stricter than in several other countries. The residents, tourists, and business individuals are being warned of their actions so that they escape the latter consequences. As for drugs, there is a zero-tolerance policy for drug-related offences. The penalties for drug trafficking, smuggling, and possession of drugs are severe and can lead to severe consequences. The sentences and punishments for drug trafficking or smuggling can include the death penalty, and possession of even the smallest of drugs and narcotics can lead to a maximum three-month prison term of a fine not less than AED 20,000 and not exceeding AED 100,000.

In order to monitor and keep a careful eye on it, the authorities are taking high measures. Airports, other destinations, and other public places are monitored and controlled by excellent technology and security measures.

Drug Market in Full Swing – The Disruption

No industry can flourish unless the demand increases. This is what exactly happens with the illegal drug trafficking industry around the world.

The Covid-19 outbreak is a major reason behind the border closures that disrupted the supply of street drugs. Moreover, increased unemployment and the fact that people are confined to their homes make them vulnerable to drugs. The extreme shortage of supply resulted in increased prices and low purity. However, the complete effects of the global health crisis on the drug market are yet to be discovered, but it has caused ripples within several countries of the world.

Drug Trafficking or Possession Laws in Dubai

When we talk about possessing drugs or even being involved in trafficking, you must brace yourself as the laws are strict and punishments are severe – more than you can probably think of. And for this, you will certainly require the help of a legal consultant.

It doesn’t matter if you are carrying a small drug substance with you, involved in hundred tons of smuggling, or even having cannabis oil in your e-cigarettes or vapes – everything is banned and subject to punishment in the UAE. In addition, if you are accused of a drug case, you can seek the help of the best law firm in Dubai that can save you and your reputation. 

The Federal Decree No. 30 of 2021 on combating narcotics and drug substances came into effect on 2 January 2022. This introduced three degrees of a penalty against drug use and possession while in Dubai or another Emirate of the UAE. Here are a few of the punishments one will have to face if or when found in drug possession, trafficking, or consumption;

 As for the first-time offenders, the convicts are subject to a three-month prison term.
 The fine imposition for first-time offenders is not less than AED 20,000 and does not exceed AED 100,000.
 The court holds the full discretion to exchange punishments for the first-time offenders with treatment in specialized rehabilitation units to be established across the country under the newly amended law. 
 As for the repeated consumption of drugs or possession within the first three years of the first attempt, the offender will be fined a six-month jail term or with a fine, not less than AED 30,000 and not exceeding AED 100,000.
 Moreover, a third-time offence brings a two-year prison term and a fine of at least AED 100,000.

Furthermore, for trafficking or selling of drugs, the fines are heftier, and punishments are stricter. Here are some of the details to note;

 The new law imposed also clears that a minimum jail term is around 5 years with a minimum fine of AED 50,000.
 The crime will be considered aggravating if the facilitation is being provided in public gatherings, educational places, or sports facilities. In addition, serving or providing drugs to females and juveniles or providing at the places of worship.
 Another is if the drug provider has become harmful to the victim under the drug influences, the minimum jail term is 7 years and a fine of at least AED 100,000.

The Final Takeaway

So, it has become succinctly clear that drug use, abuse, trafficking, possession, facilitation, selling, or smuggling, all the activities related to drugs or drug substances are punishable with heft fines, jail terms, and imprisonments. Moreover, the government of the UAE is taking strict measures against the perpetrators. Thus, if you are travelling to the UAE or are residing in any of the Emirates, you better stay away from these activities in order to avoid consequences.

Practice Areas

  • Commercial
  • Corporate
  • Dispute Resolution & Litigation
  • Banking & Finance
  • Insurance & Securitization
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

CategoriesBlog,  Legal

Why Law Firms Are Struggling With Client Acquisition – The 7 Game-Changers

Clients are the lifeline of any company, and law firms are no exception. Without clients, you don’t have an organization to run. And in order to get clients, there are several factors that you need to focus on in order to get the perfect client acquisition for your law firm.

Now, when harnessing the power of digital platforms, it is important to understand that combining a few random tricks wouldn’t work for you. Instead, you will need to integrate a full feature-pack strategy in order to escalate your client acquisition strategy.

If you realize that your law company is having a hard time acquiring new clients, consider the following seven points and try to improve your firm’s current situation.

1. Lacking in Concentration

In any business, focus and concentration are everything. There’s popular marketing saying that ‘when a business is marketing to everyone, it is actually marketing to no one. And this is 100% true. Law firms are just like other businesses, and the same rule also applies to them.

Think from a client’s perspective. Who would you choose if you were a potential client looking for an employment discrimination lawyer? Your options are discussed below:

 A general practice law company specializes in criminal law, start-ups, discrimination, medical malpractice, business law, and more. They claim to be best at every law aspect.
 A discrimination law firm that has a pool of expert, qualified, and experienced lawyers or legal advisors in employment discrimination. This firm takes pride in knowing that it has won many employment discrimination cases.

If you choose the second one, you’re exactly thinking like the potential clients. 

2. Understand the Market

The important rule to owning and running a successful business is identifying the people who may need your service. This means that you understand how your audience becomes eligible to be your possible clients and form where they come from.

For instance, if a law firm only focuses on giving services to start-ups or small-scale business setups, it would probably know that its target audience frequently visits crowdfunding sites or sites that help entrepreneurs establish their businesses around the country.

3. Maligned Reviews & Testimonials

In the twenty-first century, reputation management is more important than ever. With online platforms taking over every aspect of our world and becoming increasingly popular amongst the common people, if you’re not taking out some time to monitor these platforms and address any negative reviews about your firm, it can hurt your business. Instead, you must understand the power of these platforms in order to get the best online reputation management for your law firm in Dubai.

It’s particularly not very important to exist on these review sites, but it is very important to know that these sites exist for a reason. Plus, you should occasionally check these sites to respond to good and bad reviews about your company. This is an act that visitors typically see about a company, whether or not they are concerned about their online reputation.

4. Good Graphic Representation

Most law firms still don’t take it seriously. Adding your headshot to your professional accounts and website is extremely important because it easily communicates the credibility and authenticity of your law firm. For example, Mai Alfalasi, the leading law firm in Dubai, is highly focused on the use of great graphical representation as it has helped us in a plethora of ways for client acquisition.

Moreover, humans are naturally tempted by images, and in today’s digitally-advanced world, visuals play an integral part in making or breaking your company. If your website is messed up with content without having appropriate images, you won’t look professional in front of your audience. Further, if you don’t add your image, the potential clients won’t be able to imagine the person winning their case. They’ll quickly look for another law firm regardless of your experience and qualification.

5. Missing Mobile-Friendliness

Is your law site mobile optimized? Remember that mobile enablement has taken our world by storm. According to Statista, half of the worldwide web traffic comes from mobile phones, which account for more than 55% of total web traffic. If it isn’t, then this could be a reason your clients are not taking an interest in your firm.

This means people are not able to see or interact with your website through a smartphone. Plus, if they can’t see you online, they’ll switch to the rival company, which is available at all times.

6. Unpopularity among the Current Clients

Unpopularity among the existing clientele is another huge reason, as most clients in the law profession came through referrals or word-of-mouth. If existing clients don’t like you, this is a huge problem for your law company.

Why? It has been found that word-of-mouth and referral sources are the biggest sources of attracting new clients for any law company. If a business attorney is dealing with a client who owns a successful business, there are high chances that this client networks with other business owners and may recommend you to others.

7. Poor Digital Marketing Measures

No matter if you like it or not, the future is digital marketing, which includes search engine optimization, social media marketing, content marketing, email marketing, and whatnot.

Remember that lacking in the digital marketing endeavors can destroy your digital brand’s effectiveness while reducing the current client base as well. Moreover, it also results in budget problems, low client volume, and sometimes results in the closure of a business.

So, this digital marketing can be a true game-changer for your law firm. It is a technique that helps your law agency attract traffic from search engine sites like Google. Having an optimized site filled with correct keywords is the key to getting profitable clients from the web.

The Final Takeaway

So, there are tons of ways with which you can elevate your client acquisition process through effective measures. These are some that will help you uplift your client base through result-driven means.

Practice Areas

  • Commercial
  • Corporate
  • Dispute Resolution & Litigation
  • Banking & Finance
  • Insurance & Securitization
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

CategoriesBlog,  Real Estate

How to Sell Your House in Dubai with Renters – The Legal Solutions for Real Estate

If you have finally decided to sell your house, you might have to consider some factors related to real estate property beforehand, mainly if you are selling your property for the first time and that too with tenants in it.

If you have tenants or renters in your home, you must have second thoughts about exactly what you must do. Should you ask them to leave and look for other places before selling your place? Or should you deal with the buyer to take charge and let the tenants stay while authorizing new ownership? Or would the new landlord accept the conditions on which you have made an agreement with the renter?

Well, all this can be filled with a lot of hassles and the fear of what if you violated any legal prohibition in Dubai that could lead you to trial or penalties. But fear not, now that you have made up your mind about selling your property, it is pivotal to consider all the other factors that are super important and must be taken care of before you make a purchase of your property in Dubai.

From evaluating the tenants’ rights that have been stated, sealed, and signed in the agreement to all the laws in the Emirate of Dubai, there are a plentiful of things that you must remember before selling your property with tenants in it. This will save your honest investment in real estate too.

How You Can Sell Your Property with Tenants

Selling your house with tenants in it can become a hustling thing, and not knowing the laws that tenants can claim or even what house owners have can become big trouble. Therefore, it is pivotal for every house owner to acquaint themselves with all the dos and donts of selling your property with tenants in it. This is where Mai Alfalasi, the leading law firm in Dubai, presents the best guide for selling your property while having renters in it.

a) Find a Reliable & Credible Real Estate Agent

Before buying or selling any property or land in Dubai, UAE, it is paramount to consider if the property is registered with RERA– the Real Estate Regulatory Agency in Dubai. It is pivotal to consider real estate agents from RERA who are honest, professional, expert, and trustworthy to provide the legally-binding solutions to landlords across Dubai. Fixing a meeting with them in person will give you the perfect idea of whether you should move with them or not. Moreover, having the leading legal advisor from Mai Alfalasi would even solidify your case.

b) Simply Sell With Tenants

A lot of people don’t consider it, but instead of incentivizing or paying off extra money to your tenants, you can simply sell it happily with tenants in it. Pulling the deal off will require negotiation skills and some interpersonal skills. But one thing to do is to have a fixed-term lease of about 60 to 90 days. Still, in order to make the smooth transition, homeowners will require dialogue and create an agreement with the tenants.

And when your tenants agree to this point. You will need to make sure that the tenants cooperate while the buying parties visit the place to evaluate and inspect. Here is another thing to note. When you create an agreement with your tenants, they will get an incentive or, in some cases, a good term of security deposits.

c) You Need to Wait Until the Agreement/Lease Expires

Another option when selling your house is to simply wait until the agreement or lease of the house expires. If you have a lease or agreement running for years, you might need to look for other options. But if you have agreed with the tenants that go from month to month, it probably becomes an easier and go-to option for the homeowner.

This is a flexible and better option, but only if the agreement is near the expiry date or a month-to-month lease plan. Here you will be adequately aware of the tenant’s timeline, which will help you frame your plan.

d) You Can Make an Agreement with Your Tenant

The rules are pretty strict for both the tenants and homeowners. You can only vacate your property if your tenant breached some sort of agreement like engaging in illegal activities, damaging the property, or not paying the due rent on time. Without any violation, you simply have to wait until the lease or agreement period is served.

On the contrary, there is another option that might serve you well. Some homeowners who have plans to sell their properties add an immediate termination clause in the agreement. But if anyhow you haven’t added it, perhaps the best way is to get into communication and run the negotiation cycle. By this, I mean you can ask to terminate the agreement by offering a considering incentive to the tenants. Though it might sound a little tricky, eventually, it can get the job done.

Some Other Considerations When Selling a House with Tenants

Here are some other considerations you might need to consider before selling your house with tenants in it.

 Having a good advocate or legal consultant in Dubai dealing with your sale or purchase matter is the best solution for you that is legally binding as well.
 The first and foremost thing is to research and gather all the information regarding tenant rights in your city or state. This may include the time period you just need to give to vacate the place, the process of incentivizing them, or having them instructed about potential buyers’ visits.
 If you sold your home with tenants in it, don’t forget to give the details of new agreements with the new homeowner.
 You might have to look at the other side of the image. Having tenants in a house is an excellent captivating point for potential buyers. Buyers with potential earning resources in mind wouldn’t give a second thought to buying such a property that already has tenants in it. 

Let’s Wrap It Up!

Obviously, some ropes are attached to selling your house with tenants in it. But once you understand them, selling your house with renters becomes easy. Adopting the amicable communication channel, understanding the lease and agreement clauses, and getting acquainted with the laws and regulations, will help you secure a mutually beneficial deal.

Practice Areas

  • Commercial
  • Corporate
  • Dispute Resolution & Litigation
  • Banking & Finance
  • Insurance & Securitization
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

1203, Green Tower, Baniyas Street,
Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

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