Travel bans in the UAE can be imposed for various reasons such as criminal offenses, violating immigration laws, unpaid debts, or under a civil claim. A travel ban prohibits an individual from entering or exiting the country but does not require arrest, whereas an arrest warrant requires detention. Travel bans do not have a single dedicated law but can be found across various federal laws. Reasons for travel bans include immigration violations, outstanding debts, or criminal charges. Procedures to remove a travel ban involve applying to the relevant authority and sometimes obtaining legal representation.

1. Travel Ban in UAE: All you need to know
Author: Dr. Hassan Elhais
"The freedom of movement and residence will be granted within limits of laws" quotes from Article 29 of
the UAE constitution offers freedom and simultaneously curtail it on the basis of law. It implies that
everyone enjoys the freedom to travel inside and outside the country unless specifically objected by law
through a travel ban.
The notion travel ban or deportation is used common parlance in UAE and can be imposed on various
grounds such as, as a consequence of a criminal act, violating immigration laws, unpaid debts, under a civil
claim. The concerned article, by Criminal Lawyers in Dubai, intends to guide the readers in comprehending
the laws pertaining to a travel ban in UAE, the procedure for removing a travel ban in UAE and other similar
points.
In legal terms travel ban is a restriction on ongoing freedom of movement or prohibiting a particular
individual from entering, re-entering or exiting the country. The travel ban so issued by the government of
UAE restrict the individual to cross the border through any means of transport. As mentioned above, travel
ban can be caused through a variety of claims and complaints and some of these claims arose due to legal
implications or due to immigration. A travel ban is distinctly different from a labour ban or an arrest warrant,
and the difference is highlighted as below:
A. Travel Ban and Labor Ban: a labour ban does not restrict the individual to enter or exit the country.
However, it restricts to receive a work permit from MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and
Emiratization) for a limited period pursuant to Federal Law Number 8 of 1980 concerning the Labor
Law of UAE and its amendments. In such circumstances, the employee can either visit the country on
a different visa and can apply for a job where a work permit from MOHRE is not required such as in
free zone companies or public sector. On the other hand, a travel ban is a ban on immigration to enter
UAE for all or any reason.
B. Travel Ban and Arrest Warrant: An arrest warrant is issued for detention of a person by a
competent authority who committed a criminal offence under Article 45-46 of the Federal Law
Number 3 of 1987 concerning the Penal Code or who fails to oblige with the final judgment of
execution court under Federal Law Number 11 of 1992 regarding the Civil Procedure Code.
An arrest warrant under criminal law is issued if the public prosecutor has sufficient evidence of his guilt,
whereas, under the Civil Law, the arrest warrant can be issued by a judge of Execution court, should the
debtor fails to submit the claim which is more than AED 10,000. Ergo, the objective of an arrest warrant is
entirely different from that of the travel ban, as, in an arrest warrant, the accused is kept in custody until the
happening of a specific event, whereas, the travel ban does not let the person enter or exit the country
permanently until specifically removed.

2. In the case of a travel ban, the accused will not be allowed to cross the border or enter UAE, however, it
does not mean that he will be detained at the airport unless specifically mentioned by the court or competent
authority. All the arrest warrants entail travel ban, but all the travel ban does not require an arrest warrant.
UAE Laws on Travel Ban
The legislature of UAE does not involve a particular law designated to issues pertaining to a travel ban and
the procedure for its removal.
However, its existence is evident from various federal laws of UAE. Accordingly, Federal Law Number 6 of
1972 regarding the Immigration law and an amendment through Ministerial Decree Number 83 of 2002
which provides a non-exhaustive list of categories under which an expatriate cannot enter or exit the country.
The preceding list is defined under Article 94 of the Decree as follows:
Individuals restricted from entering the country:
a. The individual against whom a criminal complaint has been filed;
b. A person who has been deported by the competent authority;
c. An individual who has been expelled or has a travel ban from GCC countries;
d. Anyone who is involved in the activity reported by Interpol;
e. Someone who suffers from a disease which is hazardous for public health.
Individuals who are restricted to leave the country:
a. Anyone who holds a travel ban imposed by any public prosecutor due to an ongoing investigation;
b. Someone who is banned by the criminal or civil court;
c. Ban issued by the Minister for those who default in the payment of debts of UAE government.
Reasons and Removal of Travel Ban
Although UAE does not have a specific legislature for a travel ban, foreign expatriates can still face travel
bans on several grounds which is broadly classified under following groups along with a procedure to
remove the ban, subject to the discretion of UAE government:
i. Violation of laws of Immigration
Under the laws of Immigration, an expat a face travel ban on several grounds such as:
If a person is employed without a valid work permit;
Illegally entering into the country;
Overstay on the visa;
Resigning the job without updating the employer or leaving the country without cancelling work
permit.
Procedure for removal
The bans are issued automatically by a competent authority and can be extended for a lifetime. This
ban can be imposed if requested by one party like the employer, and the competent authority declares
the employee as absconding and imposes a permanent travel ban. The accused can submit an
application before the immigration authority for removal of the travel ban. However, it is advised to
seek legal representation from Criminal Lawyers in Dubai for removal of such ban.
ii. Outstanding debt In case of unpaid debt, the creditor is empowered under Article 329 and 330 of the
UAE Civil Procedure Code, through which he can submit a request before the competent court to

3. prohibit the debtor from travelling when there is a strong apprehension that the debtor will abscond
from the country without paying the debt which will frustrate the whole proceedings. Therefore, the
request for the ban is to recover the outstanding payments.
However, the ban ceases to exist if the debt is repaid. Procedure for Removal The ban is imposed upon
the request of the creditor. However, there are certain conditions and perquisites which the creditor
must consider prior to submitting a written request for travel ban as outlined in Article 329 of the Civil
Code as follows:
The creditor must prove beyond any doubt that the debtor will abscond;
The amount of debt exceeds AED 10,000;
The debt should be of definite amount;
If the debt amount is not clear, then the judge is authorized to analyze the debt on the basis of
written evidence and the guarantee submitted by the creditor to cover the damages.
Under the preceding circumstances, the debtor can apply to the court to object the travel ban by filing
a complaint before a higher judge. Also, the ban can be removed in some instances as follows:
If a creditor takes back the application;
If debtor submits a bank guarantee;
If debtor repays the claim in the court or to the creditor.
iii. Criminal offence An automatic travel ban is imposed on the person if he is charged with a criminal
offence or has violated any provision of the criminal law. It can also be imposed in civil or
commercial transactions such as cheques bounce.
Procedure for Removal
A ban in a criminal offence remains into force until the period of investigation, trial and judgment of
the criminal case. In such circumstances, the accused can submit a complaint before the competent
court and can request a bail, however, it is pertinent to note that under a travel ban of criminal offence,
the accused can submit application for bail and can be released from the police custody, however, will
not be allowed to travel until the final judgment.
iv. Personal Status law In accordance with the Federal Law Number 28 of 2005 concerning the Personal
Status Law, the guardian can request the court to impose a travel ban on the child/children as a
consequence of which the fosterer will not be able to travel outside the country without the written
consent of the guardian. However, if the party fails to seek prior approval must justify before the court
the reasons behind the travel.
Procedure for Removal
The procedure for this travel ban is completed within 24 hours from the time of applying. In such
circumstances, the relevant parent can apply for the removal of the travel ban on the child with strong
reasons. Thus, it is always advised to seek legal representations to convince the court for such motion.
Careful Comparison between Deportation and Travel Ban
One of the most significant differences between the travel ban and deportation is the interest of the parties
wherein; travel ban is imposed to protect the individual interest, whereas, deportation is imposed in the
interest of the public at large. The annulment of a deportation order is though difficult, however, not
impossible as under Article 132 of the UAE Penal Code, the deportation order can be lifted upon the request
of the relevant authority.
Another issue which has been resolved by the Civil Procedure Law is regarding a situation in which a person
having a deportation order holds a travel ban as well. In such cases, an ad hoc committee will be established

4. which will decide the merit of the case. Also, if sufficient evidence for his outstanding dues has been
submitted, the deportation order might be put on hold.
Conclusion
In any case, if you have a suspicion that a travel ban has been imposed on you in UAE, it is advisable to
contact a Best Lawyers of Dubai and to conduct a check on your legal status before visiting UAE.
Related Links
If I Put a Travel Ban on My Son Can He Still Travel with Me?
I was deported from the UAE, when can I return?
UAE Deportation: What you must do in the process
Copyright © of this article is retained by the author and/or other copyright owners. We explicitly grant you
permission to download a copy, without any alteration, of this article for personal non-commercial research
or study, without prior permission or any charge. This article can be utilized on your website or for
marketing, however, we grant you permission to host this article on your website and no other rights. This
content should not be altered in any way or sold commercially in any format without prior permission of the
copyright holder. During reference of this article, full biographic details entailing the name of the author,
his designation, the institute and the publishing date of the article shall be provided.
Contact Us
The H Hotel Office Tower, 29th Floor, Office 2904, Sheikh Zayed Road, PO Box 40073, Dubai, United
Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 355 8000 | Fax: +971 4 358 9494
Office No. 804, 8th Floor, Tamouh Tower Marina Square, Al Reem Island, PO Box 129980, Abu Dhabi
Tel: +971 2 650 1211 | Fax: +971 4 358 9494
Email us:
hassan@professionallawyer.me