The United Arab Emirates has clarified the condition under which a foreigner who has been deported from the country may return, pointing to a provision embedded in the executive regulations governing foreign entry and residence. According to Article 76 of Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, which implements Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021 on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners, a deported individual cannot return to the UAE unless they first receive approval from the Chairman.
Who Holds the Power to Approve a Return?
The regulation does not allow deported foreigners to re-enter the country simply because time has passed or because their original offence has been resolved. The law places the decision solely in the hands of the Chairman, meaning no automatic pathway to return exists. Any foreigner seeking to come back after a deportation order must go through the formal approval process before attempting to re-enter.
The Cabinet Resolution was issued in 2022 as the executive framework for the 2021 federal decree, bringing clarity to how the UAE manages the movement and legal status of foreigners living in or travelling to the country. The provision applies to all foreigners regardless of nationality, placing a firm legal barrier on re-entry following deportation.
What This Means for Foreigners in the UAE
This signals that the UAE treats deportation as a serious measure with lasting consequences rather than a temporary restriction. Foreigners who have previously been removed from the country and who wish to return are expected to seek the required clearance through the appropriate channels before making any travel plans to the UAE. Attempting to re-enter without the Chairman's approval would constitute a violation of federal law.
In a related story, Legit.ng reported that the UAE had published five categories of people banned from entering the country. Meanwhile, the UAE has also published penalties for foreigners who overstay their visas, confirmed through its official website. The first consequence is a daily fine, with foreigners charged a financial penalty for each day they are in violation.
