Travel Bans in UAE for Civil Cases

Travel Bans in the UAE can be issued in Civil court cases. In other words, even when there is no criminal offense.

In general terms, a travel ban is a legal tool, preventing a defendant in a court case, from leaving the country.

Until either 1) resolution of the case or 2) payment of the court’s judgment.

More specifically, a judgment creditor (or claimant) in a civil case in the UAE, can request a travel ban against the judgment debtor (defendant), to either:

1. ensure the defendant’s payment of the issued judgment, or
2. secure the claimant’s right to claim the debt, on the basis of a confirmed debt document.

As part of the request for a travel ban, creditor must present evidence to the judge showing that there is “serious fear that the debtor may flee the U.A.E.”

Furthermore, the debt must: 1) be more than AED 10,000.00, and 2) be a fixed amount.

In the event that the debt amount is not set in a particular document, the judge may evaluate it temporarily, as long as:

1. the claim is supported by clear written evidence, and
2. the creditor submits an undertaking to compensate the debtor for any damages they may incur, in the event the travel ban is unwarranted.

A judge can then issue an order banning the defendant from traveling either: 1) before filing a substantive case, or 2) after receiving a final judgment against the defendant.

This is in accordance with Article 324 and 325 of Federal Decree Law №42 of 2022 Issuing the Civil Procedures Law.

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