If you are an expat who has been living and working in the UAE for some time now, you are probably thinking of leaving the country soon for a good reason. Whether you are retiring or you are planning to go to another country to continue your career path, there are a couple of things to consider before you leave the country for good.
Also Read: Things to Know Before Resigning from your Work
Like going to the UAE, expats should be prepared too when leaving. In this article, you will know how the steps you have to take so you can leave the country peacefully.
Preparation will save you from a lot of trouble. Before leaving the country, settling your bills, canceling your visa, and closing your bank accounts are just a few of the things that you should do. If you leave the country while your accounts are open, you can face bigger issues in case you get back unexpectedly.
Settling everything and closing all your accounts will do good for you in the future. Moreover, you wouldn’t want to leave the country with a bad name. Keep on reading to more about what you can expect.
7 Things To Consider Before You Leave The UAE For Good
The things we are about to share should be done months or weeks before your scheduled flight. Some expats shared that they tend to allocate their last 6 months to close all their accounts because some take long before they can be settled. But, it will still depend on how you will handle things. Consider these steps before you leave.
1. Talk to your employer about your plans.
This is applicable to expats who are under a limited and unlimited contract. Whether your contract is about to expire or you are planning to resign, it’s not bad to tell your employer about it, especially if you have worked for the company for a long time. For sure, your employer will appreciate you telling your plans for leaving the country. Additionally, he can prepare as well for your flight if he will be in charge of your repatriation.
2. Communicate with your employer about your end of service pay.
After the expiration of your contract or after submitting your resignation, the next step is communicating with your employer regarding your end of service pay or the gratuity pay. This is one of the long processes we are talking about earlier. If you will talk to your employer beforehand, he can prepare for this earlier before your scheduled leave. You should be able to compute your gratuity pay so you can raise your concerns after your employer gives the computations to you.
3. Withdraw your savings and close your bank accounts.
If you have bank accounts in the UAE, it’s also time to close them. Withdraw your savings then go to the bank branch to process the closing application. You will need to bring your Emirates ID and passport for identity verification. There is also a closure form that you need to fill out. If you haven’t withdrawn your money yet, you can ask the bank to do the bank transfer or you can request them to hand it in cash.
4. Settle your debts including your utility bills, credit card bills, tax liabilities, and other types of finances.
After closing your bank accounts, settling your debts should be the next. If your rent is not free and you are paying for utilities, you should settle your last utility bill first before applying for its closure. Yes, you have to close your water and electricity accounts too before you leave your apartment.
If you have credit cards in UAE banks, you have to apply for its closure too. Pay your outstanding balance and go to the branch of the bank for the closing application. Make sure that you are not leaving any amount unpaid to avoid charges and penalties after you leave the country.
In terms of tax liabilities, you should talk to an accountant regarding this. Usually, expats don’t worry about this since the salary is tax-free. Just in case you have other transactions apart from your salary, don’t forget to check if you have tax liabilities as well.
5. Cancel your employment permit and residence visa.
There are times that expats finish their contracts before their visas expire. The cancellation is very important to avoid conflict with regards to your residence and employment. Your employer or sponsor will have to cancel your visa before you leave the country. And once canceled, you need to leave the country within 30 days. This is the normal grace period given to expats. You can use the 30 days to organize your things and settle everything that needs to be settled.
6. End your contract with your landlord.
Once your visa is canceled, you need to talk to your landlord to end your tenancy contract. Moving out is easy as long as you don’t owe something to your landlord. Your utility bills should be paid too before you leave the apartment. Talking to your landlord in advance will give you both time to prepare for your move out. Make sure that you discuss the security deposit as this plays a big role in your tenancy agreement.
7. Prepare the things that you can bring and sell your old stuff.
Finally, it’s time to prepare the things that you should bring home including clothes, cars, furniture, appliances, shoes, and more. Bring only the stuff that your luggage can carry. It’s also important to ship your things in advance in case you want your family to have the appliances that you accumulated. In case you have things that you can’t bring with you, consider selling them to your co-expats.
Leaving the country is a part of being a UAE expat unless you are planning to retire here. What’s essential is that you are ready physically and emotionally when you do that. The tips above will help you leave the country seamlessly. Don’t forget to share this with your friends who are also planning to leave the country soon. For sure, they will need this information!