The United Arab Emirates has published the specific categories of individuals included on its official blacklist, along with the process for removal, under the Executive Regulation of Law No. 6 of 1973 on Entry and Residence of Foreigners.
According to the regulation, names are added to or removed from the blacklist through formal letters issued by the relevant authorities. The blacklist covers two main groups: those prohibited from entering the country and those restricted from leaving it.
Entry Ban Categories for the UAE Blacklist
The entry ban applies to several distinct groups. People previously convicted of crimes and deported by a competent court are included, as are those removed through administrative orders issued by the Ministry of Interior under Article 23 of Law No. 6 of 1973.
Individuals whose activities have been flagged by the International Criminal Cooperation Department also fall under the ban, along with anyone confirmed to be living with AIDS or other conditions that the Ministry of Health and Prevention classifies as a risk to public health.
People deported from any Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member country for criminal reasons are equally prohibited from entering the UAE.
Exit Ban Categories and Removal Process
Restrictions on departing the country apply to three categories. Anyone against whom a public prosecutor or their representative has issued an order in connection with an ongoing investigation cannot leave. The same applies to anyone facing an order from a competent court in a matter currently before the courts.
A third group covers individuals who owe money to the government. In such cases, the authority to issue a departure ban rests with the relevant minister or an official authorised to act on their behalf.
The regulation makes clear that the blacklist is not limited to criminal matters alone, and that financial liability to the state can also result in a person being prevented from leaving the country.
The UAE government outlined the legal basis for its blacklist, which covers individuals banned from entering or leaving the country. The rules are set out under the Executive Regulation of Law No. 6 of 1973 on Entry and Residence of Foreigners.
The UAE has long been a magnet for international workers, with expats making up nearly 89% of the population, according to earlier reports by Legit.ng.
