Travel Ban in Dubai: Causes, Consequences and How to Remove It

In the United Arab Emirates, the travel ban, is an administrative or judicial measure frequently applied against individuals who are the subject of ongoing litigation, whether civil, criminal, or financial. This mechanism can target both residents and non-residents, including tourists passing through. One of its major features is the absence of a legal obligation for prior notification.

In practice, the person concerned discovers the measure at the airport, during check-in or boarding control. This situation leads to immediate consequences, such as the loss of the ticket, the removal of baggage from the aircraft and, in some cases, the prohibition of obtaining certain administrative documents for the duration of the ban.

Under UAE law, travel bans can result from various legal bases. In criminal litigation, the ban results from an investigation or judgment rendered pursuant to the Federal Penal Code or its implementing regulations. In civil or commercial disputes, the ban may be ordered as a precautionary measure by the court hearing the case, in particular to ensure the enforcement of a debt or prevent the risk of the defendant absconding. Furthermore, bans can also be issued administratively, at the initiative of the Ministry of the Interior or the security services, as part of precautionary measures or ongoing investigations.

It is not uncommon for people to be subject to a travel ban for minor reasons under comparative law. For example, a simple bounced check, a dispute with a former employer, a complaint about damage to reputation via social media, or even non-payment of a parking fine may constitute sufficient grounds to justify the issuance of a travel ban . At the same time, other cases involve more serious offenses, such as accusations of fraud, financial crimes, or open criminal cases, without the person having yet been convicted.

Therefore, it is appropriate to shed some light on the legal regime applicable to travel bans in the UAE legal system. The purpose of this article is, on the one hand, to set out the definition and legal foundations, and on the other hand, to analyze the practical effects for the person concerned, before detailing the legal avenues for obtaining their lifting. Finally, a final section will be devoted to presenting the assistance offered by our firm in this type of procedure.

I. Legal definition and foundations of the travel ban

A. Legal concept of the exit ban

The travel ban, commonly referred to as a travel ban , is a measure restricting movement imposed on a natural person, whether national or foreign, as part of a judicial, administrative or police procedure. This measure may concern adults as well as minors , provided that a link can be established between the person concerned and an ongoing contentious situation. As such, it is not uncommon for children to be included in the scope of the travel ban due to a family dispute, particularly in matters of child custody, parental abduction or contested divorce.

The types of disputes that can lead to an exit ban are varied.

In civil matters , a contractual or rental dispute may give rise to the request for such a measure, for example when a creditor fears that the debtor will organize his insolvency from abroad. In commercial matters , an action for payment or a dispute relating to business obligations may justify referral to the court as a precautionary measure. In criminal matters , any procedure initiated following the filing of a complaint or an alleged offense may lead to a ban on leaving the country, including in the context of a preliminary investigation. In labor law , cases of absconding, i.e. unauthorized departure from the employer by the employee, may also be subject to a travel ban issued by the competent ministry, in conjunction with the immigration services.

At the same time, the measure can also be issued at the initiative of the local police or administrative authority for reasons related to internal security or public order, independently of any ongoing legal proceedings. These administrative bans, although rarer, are sometimes applied at discretion.

B. Legal frameworks and entry bans

The legal basis for the travel ban is found primarily in the Federal Code of Criminal Procedure and various texts relating to precautionary measures and border control . In addition, decisions of public prosecutors , civil orders , administrative measures of the Ministry of the Interior, and internal instructions from the judicial or immigration police may also produce equivalent effects.

In addition to the exit ban, certain individuals may be issued a temporary or indefinite entry ban on UAE territory. This type of measure generally concerns individuals expelled for criminal offenses, residents whose permits have been revoked, or foreigners who have been the subject of a national security file. Such a ban may be decided without conviction , simply as a precautionary measure based on confidential assessment criteria.

It can also be the automatic consequence of abandoning a post declared as absconding , which generates a ban on returning which can last up to a year or, in certain cases, for life.

II. Concrete consequences of the exit ban

A. Immediate legal and administrative consequences

The implementation of a travel ban first results in the registration of the person concerned in the national database of persons prohibited from leaving the country, which is linked to automated border control systems. Thus, at the time of check-in or boarding, a warning prevents any attempt to leave, regardless of the route taken. This ban is immediate and irrevocable until the measure has been formally lifted by the issuing authority.

Additionally, the individual may be forced to surrender their passport to local authorities, particularly in the context of a civil or criminal dispute. Some administrations, such as Immigration or the police, may also impose additional restrictions, including canceling current visas, freezing residency applications, or rejecting residence permit renewals. In contractual matters, a travel ban also prevents any attempt to transfer residence to another employer, particularly when a complaint of absconding is pending.

In the case of low-level disputes, such as unpaid invoices , the lifting of the ban can, in certain cases, be obtained in less than forty-eight hours, provided that the amicable settlement of the dispute is proven and the supporting documents are filed without delay. However, the absence of a simplified procedure for minor cases implies active and structured management of the file by a local professional.

B. Financial and personal consequences

Maintaining a travel ban can have major economic repercussions for the affected individual, particularly if they are a tourist or temporary resident. Indeed, the cost of living in Dubai is notoriously high. A person unexpectedly stranded must bear additional costs for housing, transportation, food, and possibly contractual penalties if they are unable to honor commitments abroad. For a traveler on vacation, this can represent an unbudgeted expense of several thousand euros, with no immediate recourse.

Furthermore, being stuck in Dubai prevents normal business operations abroad. A professional stuck in Dubai may be unable to attend a hearing, sign a contract, or even continue their business activities. These indirect effects generate additional financial losses, particularly in terms of credibility, reputation, or delays in fulfilling professional obligations.

Finally, the psychological dimension is not negligible. The impossibility of leaving the country, combined with the uncertainty about the duration of the measure, causes a feeling of isolation, helplessness and, in some cases, distress, particularly when no clear information can be obtained from the competent authorities.

III. Procedure for lifting the exit ban

A. Prior identification of the basis and issuing authority

Before considering any action to lift it, it is essential to determine the exact origin of the measure. In practice, this involves checking whether the ban was issued by a criminal, civil court, or an administrative authority. This step is crucial because the procedure to be initiated, the applicable deadlines, and the conditions of admissibility vary significantly depending on the type of travel ban .

Only lawyers accredited by Emirati courts or authorized to consult the internal systems of the Ministry of Justice and Interior can access these databases. They are able to identify:

• the file number,

• the competent jurisdiction,

• the applicant,

• and, where applicable, the amounts claimed or the charges.

When the measure is based on a police decision, it may be a simple complaint or an administrative alert, particularly in the case of complaints for absconding . This term refers to the unauthorized departure of an employee from his employer, without prior termination of the employment contract or submission of the required documents. In such a case, the complaint leads to the opening of a file with the Ministry of Labor or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, which may generate an automatic travel ban , followed by a ban on return of six months to one year.

In the context of a civil or commercial dispute, rapid identification of the basis makes it possible to consider an amicable, or even transactional, solution with the opposing party.

B. Legal means of lifting according to the type of travel ban

1. Civil and commercial disputes

When the ban results from a civil dispute, such as unpaid rent, a contractual debt or a liability claim, it is possible to obtain the lifting by amicable agreement or by payment of the amount claimed. Once the dispute has been settled, a request may be sent to the judge of the court that ordered the measure, requesting the issuance of a lifting order. This request, accompanied by supporting documents (receipts, signed agreements, certificates of withdrawal of complaint), is generally processed within five to fifteen days, depending on the complexity of the case.

2. Criminal proceedings

In criminal matters, the lifting of the ban can be requested either from the prosecutor in charge of the case or directly from the investigating judge, depending on the progress of the case. When the complaint is withdrawn, or the damage has been compensated, the prosecutor can issue an order to remove the ban. However, in the presence of a firm conviction or a security measure in progress, the lifting is subject to strict conditions, sometimes incompatible with early departure from the country.

3. Complaint for absconding and labor disputes

In labor law, a complaint for absconding is a common cause of travel ban , especially in sectors where contract termination has not been formalized. The employer can report the unjustified absence of a worker, which triggers the opening of a file with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization. To obtain the lifting, it is necessary to cancel the complaint via an agreement with the employer or to demonstrate, with supporting evidence, that the departure was legitimate or due to a fault of the employer (non-payment of salary, harassment, etc.). Once the complaint is canceled, the procedure for lifting the travel ban follows an accelerated circuit with the immigration services.

4. Cases of administrative prohibitions

Administrative bans are subject to a more opaque procedure. They can be lifted by submitting a request to the issuing authority, such as the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation or the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. These procedures require a clear statement of circumstances, the presentation of guarantees, and often a letter of commitment or proof of residence. The involvement of a local lawyer remains essential here, both to access the relevant services and to present a complete file.

IV. Legal support by the Nextcap firm

Given the complexity of the procedures, the need for responsiveness, and the need for local representation, Nextcap offers a comprehensive legal assistance service tailored to the various travel ban situations . Working with accredited lawyers in the UAE, our firm provides a comprehensive service, including initial verification of the ban, regularization strategy, and representation until the measure is effectively lifted.

The service includes in particular:

• secure access to judicial, administrative and police records,

• certified translation of supporting documents,

• the drafting of requests in the required forms,

• the presentation of the file before the competent courts or the administrative authorities concerned,

• real-time tracking until confirmation of release.

Our firm regularly handles cases involving tourists, expatriate workers, entrepreneurs or families in personal or property disputes.

Furthermore, our intervention significantly reduces delays and prevents the person concerned from being forced to remain in the Emirates in costly or unstable conditions.

Akram Cheik, Lawyer