The United Arab Emirates is gaining popularity as a land of opportunities, attracting expats worldwide with its modern cities, world-class infrastructure, and business-friendly environment. However, some residents may find their travel restricted by travel bans imposed for various legal or financial reasons. Therefore, it results in uncertainty, as a sudden suspension can ruin plans to travel for business or personal reasons.

Fortunately, the good news is that you can easily check your status by using online services. Accordingly, Dubai Police and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department allow you to check your flight ban online if you have a financial case against you.

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to check travel ban in UAE before planning any overseas trips. Further, we also explore the various types of bans, their reasons, and step-by-step instructions for online verification.

UAE Travel Bans: Why Do They Happen?

The Emirate government prohibits travel against residents and visitors for various legal and financial matters. Furthermore, these restrictions protect law and order within the region’s global environment, comprising over a hundred nationalities.

Financial Irregularities

Banks and lenders can restrict defaulters from flying internationally until their loans or credit card dues have been cleared. Moreover, developers and car dealerships may face fines and landlords if renters don’t pay installments.

Job Abandonment

In addition, those quitting jobs before the end of their visa or failing to complete the notice period get expelled. Furthermore, a company registers complaints when employees attempt overseas escape without canceling their visas or work permits, further worsening the problem.

Violating Terms of Visa

UAE visa holders must adhere to their visa category terms. Therefore, anyone caught working illegally on a visit permit or tourist visa faces an investigation. Similarly, residents with family visas can only switch jobs with permission.

Pending Court Proceedings

Expatriates facing police charges, fighting court cases, or under ongoing prosecution can only leave the country once legal proceedings conclude or authorities grant permission.

How To Check Travel Ban In UAE

UAE has simplified anti-travel issues by introducing online systems. As a result, you can now check the visiting issue from the comfort of your home using either your smartphone or your computer. Further, you can select the following methods based on your desired convenience and choice.

UAE Travel Ban Check with Emirates ID via Dubai Police Website

As the Dubai Police are always concerned with the ease and safety of Dubai residents, they offer you the service of checking your travel status. Follow the steps outlined below.

Step 1: Visit the Dubai Police Portal

Click on this link (dubaipolice.gov.ae) to open the official portal of the Dubai Police website using an internet-enabled device.

Step 2: Criminal Status Section

UAE Travel Ban Check with Emirates ID via Dubai Police Website

In the “Main Information” section, type your Emirates ID card number in the respective field. Enter the number carefully without any mistakes.

Step 4: Solve Captcha and Click Search

Tap on the appropriate captcha image shown from the options given. Once done, hit the “Search” button to proceed.

Step 5: Confirm Mobile Number

A mobile number confirmation screen appears next. Carefully check if your registered phone number is correctly showing. Then click “Next” to have the OTP sent.

Step 6: Input OTP

Check the OTP received on your phone via SMS. Enter this code in the “Activation Code” field and tap the “Next” button to confirm.

Step 7: Check Case Status

The portal will now display your travel ban status and any pending criminal or financial cases. A “no case” result means you can freely travel without restrictions.

Verifying UAE Travel Ban Status at Dubai Police Stations

Residents with doubts about their eligibility to travel can go to the nearest Dubai Police stations and check if any financial criminal cases or restrictions exist against their names. Just follow the steps below:

Step 1: Nearby Dubai Police Station

Dubai has numerous community police stations around the city. Moreover, find the nearest facility using your location through the internet or emergency numbers.

Step 2: Visiting at Operating Hours

Visit the Dubai Police Station weekly between 7:30 am and 10:00 pm for help. Further, always carry the following documents:

Emirates ID
Passport copy

Step 3: Making In-Person Inquiry

Ask the check-in officials about procedures for checking your financial status or travel ban status. Also, provide the necessary identification documents.

Step 4: Check the status

Using your details, authorized Dubai Police officials will access their criminal database. Hence, they can confirm immediately if a complaint, court order, or flight ban exists under your name.

UAE Exit Ban Status Verification Legal Expertise

A registered lawyer can thoroughly investigate your transportation situation within the country, which is ideal for high-risk cases.

Step 1: Hire a Lawyer

Contact and appoint a licensed UAE lawyer that you trust to handle your case.

Note: Choose someone experienced in travel document verification processes.

Step 2: Authorize Status Check

Provide your lawyer with identity documents and formal authorization to investigate your status with various agencies such as immigration, the police, banks, etc.

Step 3: Get Detailed Verification Report

You will receive a comprehensive report on your standing from the lawyer after thoroughly verifying court records.

How to Check UAE Travel Status via the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department provides an online platform for residents to easily check if any legal cases or associated travel bans exist against their UID. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Access Judicial Department E-Services

Click on adjd.gov.ae to visit the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department’s website.

Step 2: Submit Your UID Number

On the portal, go to the “Estafser” online service. Furthermore, type your 8-digit UID number accurately in the designated search bar without typos.

Note that this number is different from Emirates ID.

Step 3: Input Displayed Security Code

Next, you will see a randomly generated captcha security number. Enter the displayed code carefully in the box provided alongside.

Step 4: Verify Case Status Response

After clicking the “Search” button, the portal will immediately display your case status. A “UID/Case information not found in the System” result confirms you have no pending legal issues.

If everything is cleared then you may also make sure to check fines on your Emirates ID before travelling to UAE.

UAE Travel Ban Consequences

A travel ban in the United Arab Emirates can have severe impacts if you attempt to enter or exit the country. Hence, these restrictions limit movement across borders, enforced by authorities for legal or financial matters until certain conditions are met.

Travel Restrictions

Fundamentally, a stop order prevents you from travelling out of the country through any mode of transport. Whether you try crossing by air, land or sea, a valid suspension will stop you at immigration. Simply put, you can only fly out of Dubai or into Abu Dhabi if permitted.

Unable to Leave

If you reside in the UAE on any visa and have a blacklist, flying home or going on vacation abroad gets tough. Moreover, Airport immigration officials will deny you clearance to board flights departing the country. Additionally, your visa may be cancelled unless you attempt to sneak out despite the prohibition.

Refusal of Re-Entry Plans

Suppose you leave the country temporarily with valid documentation while an exclusion is simultaneously issued against you. In that case, returning to the country can be next to impossible until you get the ban removed.

Financial and Legal Troubles

Most travel bans result from unpaid debts or legal disputes as authorities want to prevent people from escaping. Therefore, if you somehow escape border control and exit despite an active exclusion, a court case and police complaint may be filed against you. Thus, if caught, it can lead to imprisonment, financial penalties or visa cancellation.

How to Resolve Travel Ban Issues in the UAE

Upon discovering an active travel ban, immediate action is necessary to restore travel freedom. Therefore, multiple options exist through official administrative channels to resolve imposing restrictions.

Visiting Dubai Police Station

People facing bans can visit smart police stations open 24/7 across Dubai with their Emirates ID card, passport copies, and authorization letters. Consequently, officers assist you after verifying records and guide potential recourse.

Using Dubai Police Smart Apps

Alternatively, download the Dubai Police app on your Android or iOS device to check the status and connect with authorities digitally. Hence, convenient access enables you to track application progress for ban removal easily.

Seeking Further Assistance

Additional help regarding travel ban inquiries is available by telephoning the Dubai Police CID department at 901 or emailing them using the contact information on their official website.

You may also read about How to Check Overstay Fine in UAE.

FAQs

How can I check if I have a travel ban in the UAE?

You can easily check your travel ban status online using services like Dubai Police’s financial cases portal. Just enter your Emirates ID number to find out if you have any travel restrictions. Additionally, Abu Dhabi’s ‘Estafser’ system allows checking based on your UID number.

How long do travel bans usually last in the UAE?

The duration varies case by case. Furthermore, financial bans may stay for a few months until debts are repaid. Comparatively, immigration bans can restrict your movement for up to a permanent period, depending on the nature of the offence. However, visiting police stations and judicial departments facilitates faster ban removals through proper channels.

Can I leave the country without clearing immigration fines and visa dues?

Exiting UAE without first clearing immigration fines, visa fee dues, pending court judgments or other debts is strictly prohibited. Hence, doing so can lead to trip bans, arrest warrants and prison sentences if caught abroad later.

Do UAE travel bans also apply to visiting tourists?

Visiting bans are usually only enforced on residence visa holders. Moreover, tourists visiting on average 30-90 day tourist visas do not undergo regular ban checks or restrictions. However, past violations may still flag their names during future entry attempts.

Conclusion

Now wrapping up this comprehensive guide on how to check the travel ban in UAE, I hope residents feel more in control of their travel options. Furthermore, having an unexpected ban on traveling in a foreign land can be very unsettling, leading to feelings of unease. However, knowing in advance is half the battle. Moreover, regularly checking your status on the government online portals saves you last-minute hassles.