International collections
U.S. Debt Collection for UAE Companies
Updated 2026-10-24
If an American company owes your UAE business money, start with amicable collection by a U.S. agency that verifies the debtor, sends a formal demand and negotiates with its management. Most collectible accounts settle at this stage. If the debtor refuses, a lawsuit is generally filed in the U.S. state where the debtor is located, through a local attorney. Fees are usually on contingency, and legal costs are approved in advance.
| Who this is for | UAE businesses owed money by U.S. businesses (B2B only) |
|---|---|
| Where suit is filed | Generally in the U.S. state and county where the debtor is located |
| Pricing | Contingency fee on amounts recovered; legal costs quoted in advance |
| Time difference | U.S. Eastern time is 8 to 9 hours behind the UAE; Pacific time is 11 to 12 hours behind |
| Language | English; Arabic documents accepted with translation where needed |
| Currency | Settlements usually in U.S. dollars; the dirham is pegged to the dollar |
How U.S. business collection works
In the United States, commercial collection starts with negotiation. A collection agency confirms the debtor's legal entity in state business records, checks for bankruptcy filings, liens and judgments, then contacts the company's decision-makers by letter, email and phone. Debtors that can pay usually do once a U.S. agency is involved, because they know a local lawsuit is the next step.
Remedies that UAE businesses may be used to at home, such as relying on security cheques, do not work the same way in the United States. A returned check can be evidence of the debt, but the path to payment is negotiation or a civil lawsuit in the debtor's state.
Our process
- Verify the debtor's exact legal name and status through state registries
- Check for bankruptcy filings, judgments and liens
- Send a formal demand with your invoices attached
- Call the owner, CFO or accounts payable lead who can approve payment
- Negotiate payment in full or a written plan, with settlements sent to you for approval
- Provide a written legal recommendation, with costs, if the debtor will not pay
Where a lawsuit would be filed
If amicable collection fails, the case is generally filed in the state, and often the county, where the debtor is located, unless your contract names another court. An attorney licensed in that state handles it. Each state has its own procedures, limitation periods and enforcement tools, such as bank levies and garnishment after judgment. Limitation periods for contract claims often run between three and six years, but they vary, so older invoices should be placed without delay.
U.S. courts generally follow the American rule on legal fees: each side pays its own lawyers unless a contract or statute shifts fees to the losing party. An attorney fee clause in your terms can make a real difference.
If you hold a UAE judgment, including one from the DIFC or ADGM courts, its recognition in the U.S. depends on the law of the state where enforcement is sought. Most states have adopted a version of a uniform act on recognizing foreign money judgments. If you hold an arbitral award, the United States and the UAE are both parties to the New York Convention. A U.S. attorney should confirm the right route.
Pricing
Amicable collection is on contingency, typically somewhere between 15% and 50% of the amount collected depending on the age, size and difficulty of the account. You pay nothing if nothing is recovered. Legal escalation carries a higher contingency rate plus court costs such as filing and service fees, which are quoted to you and approved in writing before anything is filed. Funds are remitted by international wire, usually in U.S. dollars.
Documents to send
- The debtor's legal name, U.S. address and contact names
- Contract, purchase orders or terms of sale, including governing-law and jurisdiction clauses
- Invoices and statements of account
- Bills of lading, airway bills or proof of services
- Emails or messages acknowledging the debt
- Any judgment or arbitral award already obtained
Time zones, work weeks and language
The UAE work week runs Monday to Friday, which lines up with U.S. business days, but the time difference is large. We work U.S. hours and send written updates so your team sees progress at the start of the UAE day. All work is in English. Documents in Arabic are accepted, and we will tell you which need certified translation if a lawsuit is filed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a security cheque to collect from a U.S. company?
A returned check can support your claim as evidence of the debt, but U.S. collection works through negotiation and, if needed, a civil lawsuit in the debtor's state. Send it with your file.
Can my DIFC or onshore UAE judgment be enforced in the U.S.?
Possibly. It depends on the law of the U.S. state where you seek enforcement. Most states have adopted a version of a uniform act for recognizing foreign money judgments. A U.S. attorney should review it first.
What does U.S. collection cost?
Amicable collection is on contingency, typically 15% to 50% of what is recovered depending on the account, and nothing if nothing is recovered. Legal costs are quoted and approved before any suit.
Do I need someone in the U.S. to manage the file?
No. We handle the debtor contact, negotiation and any attorney coordination, and report to you in writing.