Taking a flight out? How to check if you have a travel ban in the UAE?

Dubai: If there is an ongoing case, could be anything from traffic to financial, there might be a temporary travel ban placed against your records. How do you check, especially prior to flying out?

1. By checking with the police.

2. By enquiring with the courts or public prosecution – this can be done on their websites.

3. By checking with the immigration department of the emirate.

4. By hiring a lawyer to enquire on your behalf.

Dubai

In Dubai, the easiest method to enquire regarding a travel ban is by using the Dubai Police’s free of cost service online. These are the various platforms available for the enquiry:

1. The Dubai Police app - 'Dubai Police', available for Android and Apple phones.

2. The Dubai Police website – dubaipolice.gov.ae

3. Smart Police stations

Steps to follow

1. Enter Dubai Police app or website and select ‘services’.

2. Click on ‘Criminal Status of Financial cases’.

3. Enter your Emirates ID number

4. Verify your identity via a one-time password (OTP) sent through an SMS on your registered mobile number.

This service allows the public to enquire about their criminal cases in financial cases registered in Dubai Police Stations only, in addition to any travel bans. Read our detailed guide on how to use the Dubai Police app for travel ban inquiries here.

Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah

In Abu Dhabi, the Estasfer service by the Judicial Department of Abu Dhabi enables the residents of Abu Dhabi to check whether they are requested by the Public Prosecution for any claims against them. To use the service, you must enter his/her unified ID (UID) number. You can access the service here.

When you cancel an old visa and apply for a new one, you would get a new visa number. However, your UID number will remain the same.

Ras Al Khaimah

You can also check the status of any court or public prosecution case you may have against you in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, by using the RAK government’s official portal here.

Please note that you would need to provide your case number and year to enquire about the status of the case.

You can also reach out to the Ras Al Khaimah’s Public Prosecution on 07 2070000.

If you do not have a case number reference, you can visit a police station in Ras Al Khaimah, and ask for the CID section to place an inquiry.

How to lift the travel ban?

Usually when a case is resolved, the travel ban gets lifted. However, sometimes you might need to follow up.

Dubai

Once you check the status of your travel ban through Dubai Police, the service will also inform you of the relevant authority, which you need to approach to request for lifting the ban.

Request lifting travel ban with Dubai Court

If the travel ban is due to a Dubai Court order, you can request for the ban to be lifted, indicating the reasons for the request and attaching the supporting documents here.

The service is free of charge, according to the Dubai Courts website.

Abu Dhabi

You can file a request for lifting a travel ban order in relation to a case here.

You would need to submit the application and the required documents either at the court or online, through the link above.

The application is presented to the competent public prosecutor. In case of approval, you will receive a copy of the travel ban cancellation order via email.

Service fee: Dh20

Required Documents

• Emirates ID

• Power of Attorney

In all other emirates, depending on the reason for the travel restrictions, you would need to reach out to the relevant authority, to clear any pending cases filed against you in order for the travel ban to be lifted.