UAE Travel Ban

UAE Travel Ban: What You Need to Know

The UAE travel ban may be imposed on a person on various grounds, for instance, as the result of criminal offences, unpaid loans, breach of immigration laws or family matters. Implications of such a ban can be financially severe and daunting for the affected person. This article aims to give readers a clear understanding of what is the UAE travel ban, what are the grounds and procedures for its imposition and removal, how to check if the person is banned from travelling and other related topics.

The ban

In the legal perspective, the ban is a legal restriction of practicing a right, or a prohibition from taking a certain action; it is a mechanism used by the legislator to organize the conduct of people in certain circumstances for the protection of public or private interests.

The travel ban

The UAE travel (immigration) ban is a prohibition from entering or re-entering the territory of the UAE, or a prohibition from leaving the country until certain conditions are satisfied, i.e. the reason(s) for the ban cease to exist. The travel ban supposes an order issued by the UAE authorities to all the state's border crossings prohibiting the concerned person from entering or leaving the country.

The difference between a travel ban and a labour ban

The UAE labour ban is another ban type which is sometimes confused with a travel ban. Both types are distinct; the UAE labour ban has no connection with travel restrictions. It is related only to labour relations governed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE, formerly – Ministry of Labour) in accordance with the UAE Labour Law and relevant decrees issued by the Ministry.

So, the labour ban does not exist under other employment relationship where the approval of MOHRE is not required. This is the case, for example, when the employment is granted through any of UAE free zone companies, as such labour relations are governed by respective Free Zone Authorities, not by MOHRE.

The person who has a labour ban – whether for six months, a year or permanent – can still enter the UAE, but prohibited to get a work permit from MOHRE until the labour ban period is elapsed. Such a person, for instance, can come to the country as a tourist, student, investor or family member. The person with a labour ban can also get a job in the UAE and work for a free zone company or government entity (as such employment doesn't require a work permit from MOHRE).

On the contrary, those having a travel (immigration) ban cannot enter the UAE for any ground, whether it be work, tourism or any other.