Key takeaways
- There are three ways a foreigner can be removed:
- expulsion by an ICP order, for example when someone has no valid visa or residence (Regulation Art. 65);
- deportation by a court ruling (Art. 70);
- administrative deportation, even of someone holding a residence, for public-interest, security, morals or health reasons, or for having no means of support (Decree-Law Art. 15; Regulation Art. 71).
- A deportation order can include the family members the person supports (Decree-Law Art. 15; Regulation Arts. 66 and 72).
- The deported person pays the cost first. After that the cost falls on an employer who broke the law, or on the sponsor or employer, and only then on ICP (Decree-Law Art. 16; Regulation Arts. 68 and 74).
- Up to 3 months can be given to settle your affairs, after you provide an acceptable guarantee (Regulation Arts. 69 and 75).
- A deported person cannot return without permission from the ICP Chairman (Decree-Law Art. 18; Regulation Art. 76).
This chapter explains every article on removing foreigners from the UAE: who can order it, when, what happens to the family, who pays, and whether the person can ever come back. It is written to help people understand their position. For a live case, speak to a UAE-licensed lawyer as well.
What the Decree-Law says
Deportation even with a valid residence
Federal Decree-Law 29/2021
“may order the deportation of the Foreigner even if he has a visa or residence permit, if such deportation is required by the public interest, public security, public morals, or public health, or if he has no apparent means of subsistence.”Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021, Article 15(1)
In plain English
- The Federal Public Prosecutor, the ICP Chairman, or people they authorise can order a foreigner deported even if they hold a visa or residence, for reasons of public interest, security, morals or health, or if the person has no visible means of support.
- The order can include the family members the person supports.
- The ICP Chairman can detain the person, with the Federal Public Prosecutor’s approval, for up to 30 days, extendable once for the same period, if detention is needed to carry out the order.
A valid residence does not protect against deportation for these reasons. If a family member is detained for deportation, ask at once about the detention period and whether the family is included in the order.
Who pays, and time to settle your affairs
Federal Decree-Law 29/2021
“he shall be given a period of time to liquidate them after he submits a guarantee”Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021, Article 17
In plain English
- Article 16: the costs of deporting the person and their family come from the person’s own money if they have it, or from an employer who employed them illegally. Otherwise ICP pays.
- Article 17: if the person has business or affairs in the UAE to wind up, they get time to do so after giving a guarantee. The Regulation sets the limits (see Articles 69 and 75).
Bank accounts, a lease, a car loan or a business need to be closed properly. Ask for the settlement period early and prepare the guarantee.
Coming back after deportation, and expulsion for having no residence
Federal Decree-Law 29/2021
“The Foreigner who has previously been deported may not return to the State without a permission from the Chairman.”Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021, Article 18(1)
In plain English
- A person who was deported cannot come back to the UAE unless the ICP Chairman gives permission.
- A person with no residence, or whose residence has expired or been cancelled, can be expelled by ICP order (after the rules on fines are applied). They can only come back by meeting the normal entry conditions again.
For a deportation, the law requires the Chairman’s permission to return. For someone expelled for having no residence, the Decree-Law says they may only re-enter by meeting the entry conditions again, and the Regulation (Article 8) lists “not previously expelled” among the conditions for a visa. Either way, a past removal can block a new visa, so check your record before applying. Our guide to UAE immigration ban types explains the records, and our ban removal service handles applications.
What the Regulation adds
Expulsion by ICP order: four cases
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“If his Entry Visa or Residence Permit has been cancelled, and he does not leave the State within the prescribed period”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 65(4)
In plain English
By ICP order, a foreigner is removed from the UAE if they:
- Are caught on a ship trying to enter illegally.
- Have no entry visa or residence permit.
- Stay after their visa or residence has ended, without applying to renew it where renewal is allowed.
- Stay after their visa or residence has been cancelled, beyond the time allowed to leave.
Cases 3 and 4 are the everyday risk: staying after the grace period. Regularise or leave in time; see our chapter on cancellation, overstay and fines.
The family of the person removed
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“The order to deport the Foreigner may include the foreigner family members of whom he is entrusted with their care.”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 72
In plain English
Both an expulsion order (Art. 66) and a deportation order (Art. 72) may include the foreign family members the person looks after. It is not automatic; the order says who is included.
Family members sponsored by the person being removed lose their sponsor. If they are not in the order and want to stay, they need a new sponsor or residence quickly.
Who carries out the orders
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“The ICA undertakes the enforcement of deportation orders in coordination with the Ministry of Interior and the Police General Headquarters.”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 67
In plain English
ICP carries out deportation orders, working with the Ministry of Interior and the police.
Who pays for removal
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“The expenses of deporting the Foreigner and his family shall be from the money of that Foreigner, or at the expense of the person who employs the Foreigner in violation of the law”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 74
In plain English
- Expulsion (Art. 68): paid by the person, or by the sponsor or employer if the residence is linked to an employment contract. Otherwise ICP pays.
- Deportation (Art. 74): paid by the person, or by anyone who employed them illegally. Otherwise ICP pays.
Employers who hire people without the right permits can end up paying for their removal, on top of the fines in the crimes and penalties chapter.
Up to 3 months to settle your affairs
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“the ICA shall grant the Foreigner a grace period to liquidate them after the Foreigner submits an acceptable guarantee, on condition that this period does not exceed (3) three months.”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 75
In plain English
Whether the order is an expulsion (Art. 69) or a deportation (Art. 75), a person with affairs to wind up in the UAE gets a grace period, after giving an acceptable guarantee. It can be no longer than 3 months.
Example
A business owner ordered to leave has a company, a lease and staff. With an accepted guarantee, ICP can give up to 3 months to close the company, settle staff and hand back the property.
Ask for the settlement period straight away and plan to finish within 3 months. We can help close licences, cancel staff visas and settle government accounts in that window.
Deportation by court ruling, and administrative deportation
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“The Foreigner may be administratively deported from the State even if the Foreigner has Residence Permit”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 71
In plain English
- Judicial deportation (Art. 70): a foreigner is deported if a court orders it, usually as part of a criminal sentence.
- Administrative deportation (Art. 71): even a resident can be deported, without a court case, if they have no visible means of support, or if the security authorities decide it is required for the public interest, security or morals.
A court deportation is appealed through the courts, with a lawyer. An administrative deportation follows the authorities’ own procedure. Either way, the person needs the Chairman’s permission to return (Art. 76).
Detention while a deportation is carried out
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“shall be arrested in the penal and correctional institutions for a period not exceeding one month whenever such arrest is necessary for the implementation of the deportation order, after approval of the Federal Public Attorney.”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 73
In plain English
A person ordered to be deported can be held for up to one month, if that is needed to carry out the order and the Federal Public Prosecutor approves.
The Decree-Law (Article 15(3)) says 30 days, extendable for a similar period. The Regulation says up to one month. The Decree-Law is the higher rule.
Returning after deportation
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“The Foreigner who has previously been deported from the State may not return to it except after obtaining the approval of the Chairman.”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 76
In plain English
Someone who has been deported can only come back to the UAE with the approval of the ICP Chairman. Without it, any new visa application will be refused (Regulation Art. 8 also bars people previously expelled).
Before applying for any new visa, find out exactly what is on your record. Our travel ban check guide and ban check and removal service explain the steps.
Quick reference
| Question | Answer | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Can a resident be deported? | Yes, for public interest, security, morals or health, or lack of means of support | DL 15; Reg. 71 |
| Can the family be included? | Yes, if the order says so | DL 15(2); Reg. 66, 72 |
| Maximum detention to carry out the order | 30 days, extendable once (Decree-Law); one month (Regulation) | DL 15(3); Reg. 73 |
| Time to settle affairs | Up to 3 months, with a guarantee | Reg. 69, 75 |
| Who pays | The person, then an employer at fault (or sponsor), then ICP | DL 16; Reg. 68, 74 |
| Returning after deportation | Only with the ICP Chairman’s approval | DL 18; Reg. 76 |
UAE deportation law: frequently asked questions
Can someone with a valid UAE residence be deported?
Yes. Article 15 of Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021 and Article 71 of the Regulation allow deportation even with a valid residence, for public interest, security, morals or health reasons, or if the person has no apparent means of support.
Can a deported person return to the UAE?
Only with the approval of the ICP Chairman (Decree-Law Article 18; Regulation Article 76).
How long can someone be detained before deportation in the UAE?
The Decree-Law allows up to 30 days, extendable for a similar period, with the Federal Public Prosecutor’s approval (Article 15(3)). The Regulation says up to one month (Article 73).
Who pays for deportation from the UAE?
The deported person pays from their own money. Otherwise an employer who employed them illegally pays, or the sponsor or employer where the residence is linked to employment. If none can pay, ICP pays (Decree-Law Article 16; Regulation Articles 68 and 74).
Do I get time to close my affairs before leaving?
Yes, up to three months, after you submit an acceptable guarantee (Regulation Articles 69 and 75).
Please note. Quotes are from the official English translation on the UAE Legislation portal, checked on 30 September 2026; the Arabic text in the Official Gazette prevails. Examples are illustrative. This page is general information, not legal advice. For a deportation or criminal matter, consult a UAE-licensed lawyer; the decision of the authorities on your own file is final.
