The United Arab Emirates has formally delineated five categories of foreign nationals who may be prohibited from entering the country under its immigration regulations. These rules, codified in the Executive Regulation of Law No. 6 of 1973 on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners, establish a blacklist managed by the Federal Department of Criminal Police under the Ministry of Interior. A separate administrative list, overseen by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners' Affairs, addresses specific immigration-related cases.
Five Categories of Prohibited Individuals
According to UAE authorities, the following groups of people are subject to entry bans:
- Individuals previously convicted of crimes and deported by a court: Foreign nationals who have been convicted of criminal offenses and whose deportation was ordered by a competent court cannot re-enter the UAE.
- People deported by the Ministry of Interior: This category covers individuals removed via an administrative deportation order issued by the Ministry of Interior under Article 23 of the immigration law.
- Individuals flagged through international criminal cooperation: The blacklist includes persons whose activities have been reported by the International Criminal Cooperation Department, allowing authorities to restrict entry based on cross-border intelligence.
- People with certain infectious diseases: The UAE may deny entry to those confirmed to have AIDS or other diseases classified by the Ministry of Health and Prevention as dangerous to public health.
- Foreign nationals deported from GCC countries for criminal reasons: Individuals previously deported from another Gulf Cooperation Council member state due to criminal offences face entry restrictions to the UAE.
Exit Bans and Administrative List
The regulations also provide for exit bans applicable to people under criminal investigation, those facing ongoing court proceedings, or individuals with outstanding government financial obligations. An additional administrative list covers persons whose residence visas were cancelled before completing employment contracts, those reported for absconding by their sponsors, and individuals who have been administratively deported.
Removal from the Blacklist
The UAE allows for names to be removed from the blacklist or administrative list, depending on the reason for the restriction. Court-ordered bans require judicial approval for removal, while bans imposed by the Ministry of Interior or other competent authorities can only be lifted through written decisions issued by the relevant body. For certain categories on the administrative list, including some domestic workers and administratively deported individuals, removal may be considered after one year, subject to applicable regulations.
These measures reflect the UAE's commitment to enforcing strict immigration controls while providing mechanisms for reconsideration in appropriate cases.
