Dubai: From January 2, 2022, a new law came into effect in the UAE, which decriminalised cases of bounced cheques – with a few notable exceptions – thus amending a previous law, which stipulated that anyone who issues a cheque which is not honoured can face criminal proceedings.
The law – Federal Decree Law No. (14) of 2020 Amending Certain Provisions of the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 Concerning the Commercial Transaction Law – was issued by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on September 27, 2020.
While the law itself is quite detailed, one of the key takeaways that affects people is the fact that bounced cheque cases have been decriminalised. However, what happens to bounced cheque cases that have already been registered with the authorities before January 2, 2022?
For example, a Gulf News reader wrote in enquiring about the new law and how it would impact his particular case. He asked: “I’m living in Dubai on a partner visa and wanted to ask about new UAE law regarding financial cases and how it affects immigration status. I have heard that if someone has a bounced cheque case, which is registered in 2021, then his or her immigration status will not be affected. As in, they will be able to travel and can even renew their visa from January 2, 2022.
“Kindly guide me on this issue, as I have a bounced cheque case, which was registered earlier and my partner visa expired because I had the case registered against me. Now, I want to know if I can travel or renew my visa after January 2, 2022 despite the case against me.”