How to Check If You Have Travel Ban in UAE – Step-by-Step Guide
Whether you’re an expat, tourist, or resident, knowing your travel ban status before travelling to or from the UAE helps you avoid immigration and legal issues. In this article, you will learn how to check if you have a travel ban in the UAE through different portals. You will also discover the common reasons for the UAE travel ban and how to remove it before travelling.
Understanding UAE travel ban
A travel ban in the UAE is a legal restriction that prevents you from entering or leaving the country. Depending on the offence, a travel ban can be imposed by judicial authorities, immigration, or even private companies through court orders. Common reasons for a restriction include unpaid debts, criminal charges, or ongoing investigations.
Why is a UAE travel ban check important?
Being unaware of your travel ban status could help you avoid legal issues that can have long-term consequences. When you know your status, you can take the necessary steps to settle it and avoid
- Getting yourself detained at the airport.
- Losing a job offer
- Delayed visa renewals.
- Damaging your credit
- Long-term legal issues.
With regular checks, you are always one step ahead, especially if you travel to the UAE for legal, financial, or business-related activities.
Common reasons for UAE travel ban
Several issues relating to financial, legal, and immigration can result in a UAE travel ban. Here are some common issues;
- Unpaid bank loans or credit card debt
- Bounced cheques
- Pending criminal investigations
- Court judgments
- Civil cases
- Violating immigration laws
- Illegal entry or exit
- Violating rules of your work permit UAE, like absconding from employment
- Custody or family disputes
- Commercial litigation
- Defamation
- Security concerns
- Involvement in restricted or banned activities
How to check if you have a travel ban in the UAE
Whether you are in or outside the UAE, there are different options to check if you have a travel ban. You can check online or in person. Here’s a breakdown of the steps for each option
How to check travel ban in uae online
You can check UAE travel ban status online via Dubai police website, app, and the Estafser e-service.
UAE travel ban check online – Dubai Police website
- Visit the Dubai Police website or download the mobile app for ios or Android devices
- Click on “Reporting Services.”
- Select “Criminal Status of Financial Cases”.
- Enter your Emirates ID number.
- Follow the prompts to see your status.
Note: The Dubai police website only provides information on travel bans related to financial cases.
UAE travel ban check online for people in Abu Dhabi
- Go to the Estafser e-service website
- Enter your UID number.
- Click on search to get the result.
UAE travel ban check – In-person
If you are in the UAE or another emirate, you can check your UAE travel ban status in person by visiting the police station. You can visit any smart or local police station close to you, provide your Emirates ID, and get a thorough check. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) also offers an option to check your status. Kindly visit the one nearest to you for inquiries.
How to remove a travel ban in the UAE
If you’ve discovered a travel ban has been placed on your name in the UAE, don’t panic. Travel bans are often temporary and can be lifted if the issue is resolved. Here are the steps to lift your UAE travel ban
Pay outstanding fines, debts, or dues
Unresolved financial matters like bounced cheques, unpaid credit cards, personal loans, or rent defaults cause most travel bans in the UAE. You can remove the ban by settling all outstanding payments directly with the complainant or financial institution. Once the payment is complete, you should request a payment receipt or bank statement confirming the debt has been cleared. Submit the receipt to the relevant authorities to clear the ban. Sometimes, you might have to get a written confirmation from the credit to the police or courts that the issue is resolved.
Request a travel ban lift from the police or the courts
Once payment is confirmed or the legal issue is resolved, you should visit the police station where the case was filed or the judicial department in your emirate. Depending on the requirements, you can submit a formal request for a travel ban lift in person or through online eServices portals. When submitting the request, you must provide your Emirates ID, passport copy, case number (if available), and proof of payment or settlement. The processing time is often between 24 and 72 hours, depending on the emirate and authority.
Obtain a clearance certificate or “No objection letter.”
In many cases, especially those involving court judgments or civil disputes, you must secure a clearance certificate or a No Objection Letter (NOC) from the concerned party. The document confirms the disagreement is settled and that there’s no objection to lifting the ban. If you are involved in a police-related case, a clearance of criminal status document will be issued.
Once you have the clearance or NOC:
- Submit it to the Dubai Police, Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, or the respective authority.
- Request official confirmation that the travel ban has been removed.
Using a lawyer to resolve travel bans
If you aren’t in the UAE or your cases might involve legal proceedings, you should hire a lawyer or legal consultant for fast resolution. In some cases, the full scope of the case might not be clear without the lawyers’ assistance. A lawyer can help you request case files, file a formal appeal, negotiate settlements for financial cases, and appear in court on your behalf.
If the documentation needed for the process isn’t in Arabic, make sure to have it translated by a certified translator. The UAE judicial system only accepts translated documents accompanied by a certificate of translation accuracy attesting to the translator’s proficiency in the language pair and the authenticity.
FAQs About Travel Bans in the UAE
Can you check the travel ban using your passport number?
No. As of 2025, you must use your Emirates ID or UID number. Due to verification limitations, passport numbers are no longer valid for most online systems.
Can I leave the UAE if I am banned from travelling?
You’ll be stopped at immigration, even with a valid visa or ticket. Travel bans are enforced at all borders.
Does a travel ban affect my job?
Yes. It can block visa renewals, job changes, or international travel, especially if it is tied to financial or labor disputes.
Can I get a travel ban without knowing?
Some bans are imposed without direct notice. You might only discover it at the airport or during official processes.
How long does a travel ban last?
A ban lasts until the issue is settled. It doesn’t expire automatically and must be lifted by a court or police after the issue is settled.
Do all Emirates follow the same process?
Platforms differ for different Emirates. Depending on where your case was filed, use the Dubai Police, ADJD, or local Emirates portals.
Conclusion
If you live or conduct business in the UAE, checking if you have a travel ban is essential. With government portals and mobile apps offering seamless checks, there’s no reason to remain uncertain. Use any of the available platforms to check your travel ban status to avoid immigration delays, legal issues, and other issues.
