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Updated August 2024
The UAE serves as a hub for individuals worldwide, welcoming them for business, work opportunities, and leisure. Despite its openness, entry and exit aren’t always unrestricted. The UAE government may impose travel bans on individuals or entire nations, limiting movement. Before arranging your travel, it’s imperative to confirm if you’re subject to such restrictions.
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Continue reading this Wego article for a comprehensive understanding of travel bans in the UAE, including their nature, the reasons they are applied, how to check if you are banned, and possible remedies.
Table of Contents
Causes of travel bans in the UAE
A travel ban in the UAE can be issued for various reasons, primarily to ensure the safety, security and wellbeing of its citizens and residents. These reasons typically fall under civil claims related to financial, governmental, or health institutions.
Another common reason for a travel ban is a visa restriction for nationals of certain countries due to political issues or diplomatic disputes.
When someone is subject to a travel ban, it restricts their ability to either enter or exit the country. Although there is no specific law pertaining to travel bans in UAE legislation, here are some common reasons why someone might receive a travel ban.
Ban for exiting the UAE
With a ban for exiting the UAE, an individual will not be allowed to leave the country by any means of transportation. Some common reasons for this restriction include:
- Being banned by a criminal or civil court
- Holding a travel ban imposed by a public prosecutor due to an ongoing investigation
- A ban issued by the Minister for defaulting on the payment of debts to the UAE government
Ban for entering the UAE
With this ban, an individual will not be allowed to enter the UAE from any country. Common reasons for this type of ban include:
- A criminal complaint filed against the individual
- Deportation by a competent authority
- Expulsion or a travel ban from GCC countries
- Involvement in activities reported by Interpol
- Suffering from a disease hazardous to public health
Countries with visa bans
In some cases, the ban is not on an individual but on the visa facility for nationals of a particular country. To check if your country has a visa ban from the UAE, you can refer to our dedicated article on this topic, which is regularly updated with the latest information and news.
How to check if you have a ban to enter the UAE
If you suspect you may have been issued a travel ban by the UAE, the process to check is straightforward. In the UAE, there are three ways to check the status of your travel ban:
- Visit the Dubai Police Station in person.
- Make a phone call. The call centre operator will require your passport number in addition to other information. Residents can call the Amer centre in Dubai at 800-5111, which is a toll-free number. Callers from abroad can do so at +971-4-313-9999.
- Online travel ban check. Below is the step-by-step on how to check your travel ban online:
- Prepare your Emirates ID.
- Visit the official website of Dubai Police or download the Dubai Police app on your Android or iOS
- Browse through ‘Individual Services’
- Select ‘Criminal Status of Financial Cases’
- Enter your full name and Emirates ID number
- If you have any travel ban, you will get a message saying that you will need to bring your Emirates ID, copy of your passport, and authority letter to the Dubai Police station near you.
For Abu Dhabi residents particularly, you could visit the Judicial Department’s page on the Abu Dhabi website or the Estafser service, where you put your unified number and verification code.
What are the consequences of having a travel ban?
A travel ban does not imply that there is an arrest warrant for the individual or that they will be deported from the country.
There is often confusion between a travel ban and a labour ban, but it is important to understand that they are distinct. A labour ban prevents an individual from receiving a work permit, but they can still visit the UAE on another visa and take up jobs that don’t require a work permit.
The primary consequence of a travel ban is that the individual cannot freely cross the UAE’s borders. They must resolve the issue and have the ban lifted before they can travel.
Is there a way to remove the ban?
As mentioned earlier, while the UAE does not have specific legislation for travel bans, the nature and reasons for bans can be broadly categorised, and certain remedies can be sought for the removal of travel bans. Here are the groups under which travel bans may fall and the procedures for resolving and removing them:
Criminal Offence
An automatic travel ban is imposed if a person is charged with a criminal offence or violates any criminal law provision, including cheque bouncing.
Steps for resolution:
The ban remains in force during the investigation, trial, and judgement. The accused can apply for bail but will not be allowed to travel until the final judgement.
Violation of Immigration Laws
Travel bans can be imposed for various violations of immigration laws, including:
- Illegal entry into the country
- Employment without a valid work permit
- Overstaying on a visa
- Resigning without notifying the employer or leaving the country without cancelling the work permit
Steps for resolution:
Seek assistance from criminal lawyers in the UAE, as these travel bans are issued automatically by a competent authority and can be extended indefinitely. An employer can request this ban if the employee is declared absconding.
Unsettled Debts
A creditor can request a travel ban if they fear the debtor will leave the country without repaying the debt. If the debt exceeds AED 10,000, a ban may be imposed to ensure the recovery of outstanding payments.
Steps for resolution:
Issues related to debt are typically resolved once the debtor repays the entire amount, provides a bank guarantee, or if the creditor withdraws the application.
Personal Status Law
A guardian can request a travel ban on a child, preventing the fosterer from travelling without the guardian’s written consent. If the fosterer travels without approval, they must justify their actions to the court.
Steps for resolution:
This travel ban procedure is completed within 24 hours. The relevant parent can apply for the removal of the travel ban with strong reasons, and legal representation is recommended to convince the court.
Bans are usually imposed temporarily until an issue is resolved, but there are instances where a permanent travel ban is the only option. Regardless of the type of ban, it’s crucial to consult a legal authority who can guide you through your case and provide support.
