types of bans in emirates 2026 - labour, immigration & permanent ban guide

Types of Bans in Emirates and How to Avoid Them in 2026

15-Sep-2025 0 Comments 0 Views

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), also known as the Emirates, is one of the most sought-after destinations for work, tourism, and residency. However, strict laws and regulations are in place to maintain order and safety. Anyone violating these rules may face an Emirates ban, which restricts their entry or stay in the country.

This guide explains the types of bans in Emirates, reasons behind them, and ways to prevent or remove them. Whether you are a tourist, job seeker, or resident, understanding these rules will help you avoid penalties and safeguard your future in the UAE.

What Does It Mean to Be Banned in the Emirates?

An Emirates ban means you are prohibited from:

  • Entering the country

  • Working legally under a valid visa

  • Residing or moving freely within the Emirates

The type and duration of the ban depend on the severity of the violation. Some bans last 6 months or 1 year, while others may be permanent.

👉 Related: [Travel Ban in Emirates – Causes and Solutions]

Types of Bans in Emirates

There are different types of bans in the UAE, including:

  • Labour Ban (Employment Ban)

  • Immigration Ban

  • Permanent Ban

  • Six-Month Ban

  • One-Year Ban

Let’s explore each in detail.

Labour Ban in the Emirates

A labour ban (also called an employment ban or work permit ban) is usually applied when an employee violates the labour contract or leaves a job without proper notice.

Reasons for a labour ban:

  • Resigning without notice

  • Violating contract terms

  • Switching jobs before cancelling the existing contract

  • Losing a legal case against the employer

6-Month Labour Ban

  • Imposed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)

  • Common for employees leaving without notice or valid reason

  • Restricts the employee from entering the UAE or taking new employment for six months

How to remove a 6-month ban?

  • Get a job in a UAE free zone

  • Secure employment with a government or semi-government organization

  • Meet the required salary thresholds:

    • High school graduate: AED 5,000

    • Diploma holder: AED 7,000

    • Bachelor’s degree holder: AED 12,000

1-Year Labour Ban

  • Applied for serious contract violations or losing a case against an employer

  • Prevents the individual from entering or working in the UAE for one year

Who is exempt from a labour ban?

  • UAE nationals

  • Workers joining oil companies

  • Employees moving within the same free zone

  • Those employed by government or semi-government organizations

  • Employees completing a long-term contract

  • Employees serving 3 years under an unlimited contract

👉 Related: [Emirates Visa Requirements]

Permanent Ban in the Emirates

A permanent ban is the most severe type of ban and is imposed for serious offences. It is also called a permanent residency ban.

Reasons for a permanent ban:

  • Absconding from work/employer

  • Criminal offences such as theft, fraud, or violence

  • Using forged documents

  • Major immigration violations

Key facts:

  • Biometrics (fingerprints) are recorded by the government

  • Once imposed, re-entry into the UAE is impossible

Immigration Ban in the Emirates

An immigration ban prevents individuals from entering the UAE. Unlike labour bans, it applies to tourists, residents, and visitors.

Common reasons for immigration bans:

  • Criminal offences (theft, assault, fraud, etc.)

  • Possession of illegal drugs, weapons, or ammunition

  • Use of forged or fake visas

  • Bounced cheque cases

  • Pending murder or rape cases

  • Serious misconduct or abuse against UAE residents

  • Violating immigration rules

Can an immigration ban be lifted?

  • Only the Ministry of Immigration can lift the ban

  • Typically, bans are removed after serving the sentence or penalty

  • There is no alternate shortcut

👉 Related: [Apply Emirates Visa Online]

How to Check if You Are Banned in the Emirates?

If you suspect a ban, you can:

  1. Contact MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation) for labour bans.

  2. Reach out to GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) for immigration bans.

  3. Use official portals to check ban status with your passport number and Emirates ID.

How to Avoid Getting Banned in the Emirates?

Here are simple steps to prevent landing into a ban:

  • Always comply with labour contracts and employment laws

  • Avoid overstaying your visa validity

  • Refrain from illegal activities or carrying prohibited items

  • Ensure financial obligations (like cheques, loans, credit cards) are honored

  • Maintain respectful conduct with employers, authorities, and residents

Frequently Asked Questions

The 6-month labor ban in the United Arab Emirates can be removed if you find a valid job in the free zone area or by finding a job in government departments. You have to fulfill the eligibility criteria which have to be maintained to remove 6 monthly labor bans. The expatriate salary needs to be at least 5000 AED monthly who have high school qualifications. Diploma employers from foreign countries should at least earn 7000 AED monthly. Expatriates holding bachelor's degrees must have a 12,000 AED salary monthly. 

Visitors who have previously committed any crimes and do not have police clearance certificates can not enter the United Arab Emirates. Or foreign nationals who have received deportation orders can not enter UAE for any purpose. The lifetime entry of the person can be prohibited if there are any reports against that person by International Criminal Cooperation Administration. If the person has been deported or is not allowed to enter other GCC countries can not enter UAE. You can not leave UAE if there is any case under investigation against you and an order has been issued by the prosecutor. If the competent court of UAE has filed a case or passed written order against the individual not to leave UAE. The Ministry of the interior can also impose an immigration ban on the individual. 

The immigration ban can only be uplifted against you only with the content of your sponsor. You should communicate to your sponsor for removing the immigration ban against you to work and reside legally in the United Arab Emirates. Your sponsor can also ban your residency visa in UAE and it can only be canceled by the expatriate sponsor. 

A permanent ban is a lifetime ban to stop the entry of an individual due to certain reasons. Expatriates who have committed serious crimes in UAE like drug trafficking, rape, sexual assault, murder, criminal history, etc. Absconding from work or employer is also the other cause of a permanent ban. Permanent bans are rarely uplifted or removed. The permanent ban in UAE is imposed due to the serious criminal record against the person and it is not overturned. 

Yes, you are allowed to enter Dubai even if there is a 6-month labor ban imposed on you. The 6-month labor ban restricts your freedom of working in the United Arab Emirates. Still, it is also possible you can search for or explore different job options in UAE during 6 months ban but cannot get employed. 

Labour ban directly affect your job and source of income. A permanent ban is the type of entry ban imposed on those expatriates who abscond from their employers secretly without any information. You will not be able to enter UAE again or get employed due to a permanent ban. When you leave the job then the employer can impose a 6-month labor ban. The 6-month labor ban is imposed when you leave UAE without informing the employer. The one-year labor ban is imposed against employees who are not able to win the case against their employer. Or one year of labor can also be imposed if the employee has violated the terms, laws, and conditions of the labor contract in any way. During this period the employee can not work or visit the Emirates for one year.

No, due to article 28 which is immigration law. And it's stated that the foreign nationals or expatriates who have been deported back to their country can not re-enter the United Arab Emirates. Even if they have valid Emirates visas, valid passports, and have followed all the immigration rules. The expatriate can only return or re-enter if the individual has special permission or written permission from the ministry of interior. 

The Emirates labor ban is the ban imposed on employees or workers currently staying and working in the United Arab Emirates. The main reason behind the labor ban on any individual is due to their irresponsible behavior. When a person is unable to fulfill or work efficiently on all the projects, work, or duties. The labor ban can also be imposed if the foreign employee didn't follow the labor contract signed with the employer in UAE. When the employee is fired or takes resignation due to invalid reasons.

Expatriates who have received an immigration ban in the United Arab Emirates are not allowed to reside in the country. As well as there are not even allowed to reside inside the United Arab Emirates until the ban is removed. This ban is imposed on those individuals who have broken immigration laws, criminal records, debt, drive and drinking cases, rape, attempt to murder, bad bounce, etc. Expatriates who have violated the human rights or legal laws of the United Arab Emirates are also subjected to an immigration ban. You can check your immigration ban in Dubai by visiting the Dubai police official online portal. Select the option "check criminal status" after opening the site. Give personal information like name and the number of your Emirates ID. Employers can also impose an immigration ban on their employees besides a labor ban. The immigration law is either imposed for a 6-month short period. Or it can also be imposed for a lifetime without any chances of removal. 

No, all types of labor bans and immigration bans are not imposed on the citizens of the United Arab Emirates. These laws and bans are imposed on expatriates who fail to follow the terms of their labor contract or due to other criminal offenses. The immigration ban is also not imposed on expatriates who have completed the terms and conditions of their labor contract. Foreign nationals working in UAE who are also sponsored by their spouse are exempt. Expatriates working in the oil industry, expatriates leaving the job to work in government office, and expatriates who have worked for industry or organization for three years. 

There are different types of the ban according to the reason and ban which is lifted after some time. They are some major types of ban that must be known by expatriates shifting or planning to work in the United Arab Emirates. The immigration ban is one of the travel bans which can be imposed on any foreign national or expatriate who has committed some serious crime in the UAE. Expatriates working in the United Arab Emirates can face a labor ban which can be for six months one year or even permanently. The permanent ban in which one can never enter UAE again. If a permanent ban is imposed on the individual then the person can not work or live in the country. UAE government can also impose a work permit ban for short period or permanently according to the reason. 

Yes, in this case, an employer has the legal authority and can surely impose a labor ban. If you are leaving UAE, you should give proper notice and reason to avoid any kind of terminable offenses. You should properly go through your labor contract as well as the labor law of the United Arab Emirates to avoid unnecessary charges. If you are aware of the general immigration laws and working rules of the United Arab Emirates. Then you can handle the problem efficiently.

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