TRAVEL BAN IN THE UAE: 3 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Can you be stopped at the airport because you have a debt or a legal case in the UAE?

Not necessarily.

A common misconception is that simply having a dispute, unpaid debt or court case automatically results in a travel ban.

It does not.

However, under UAE law, a travel ban can be imposed in certain circumstances and can prevent you from leaving the country.

I. What can trigger a travel ban?

A travel ban in the UAE can arise in different circumstances. These may include:

• Civil and commercial debts, where the legal conditions for a travel-ban order are satisfied (ex: due debts of at least AED 10,000- /., serious reasons to fear that the debtor may leave the UAE) ;

  
  

• Criminal proceedings, where the Public Prosecution may impose a travel restriction in accordance with the law; and

  
  

• Certain family and personal-status matters such as specific cases involving the travel of children, unpaid maintenance or alimony.

  
  

Importantly, having a dispute or an unpaid debt does not automatically mean that a travel ban has been imposed. The applicable legal conditions and the nature of the proceedings must be considered.

II. Who can issue a travel ban?

Depending on the circumstances, a travel ban may be ordered by the competent court or judge, the execution judge or by the Public Prosecution in criminal matters.

The important point is that a travel ban is a formal legal measure, it is not automatically imposed simply because someone has filed a claim against you.

III. How can a travel ban be lifted?

The procedure depends on the reason for the travel ban.

Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to seek its cancellation by:

• settling the underlying debt or matter;

• providing an acceptable guarantee or security;

• challenging the order before the competent authority; or

• otherwise satisfying the legal conditions for cancellation.

  
  

Don't wait until you are at the airport to discover that you have a travel ban.

If you are involved in litigation, enforcement proceedings or a criminal matter in the UAE and you are planning to travel, it is worth checking your legal position beforehand.

If you are facing a dispute or need advice on protecting your legal position in the UAE, early legal advice can help avoid unnecessary risks.

This post is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. The applicable procedure depends on the circumstances of each case.