The official ways to check a UAE travel ban: Dubai Police's financial cases and travel ban service (Emirates ID number), the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department's Estafser (unified number), and the federal Public Prosecution case inquiry, from u.ae's own guidance.
u.ae puts it plainly: "You may have a travel ban if you have a pending legal case in the UAE." This guide is built from u.ae's Preliminary checks page in English and Arabic (both updated 5 October 2026) and from the services it links to, read on 25 October 2026.
How to check a travel ban in the UAE
Quick answer: u.ae points to three official checks. Use Dubai Police's service for financial cases and travel bans in Dubai, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department's Estafser for cases with the Public Prosecution, and the federal Public Prosecution's case inquiry.
| Official check | What you enter | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Police financial cases and travel ban service (website and Dubai Police app) | Your Emirates ID number (u.ae, Arabic page); the online service asked for a UAE PASS sign-in when we opened it | Financial cases in Dubai only, and whether there is a travel ban against you (u.ae, Arabic page) |
| Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Estafser | Your unified number (UID) | Cases against you with the Public Prosecution (u.ae, Arabic page) |
| Federal Public Prosecution case inquiry | Case number, city, year and prosecution office | A case you already have a number for |
u.ae's English page links the first two as "Check if you have a travel ban" and "any claim that prohibits you from travelling". Its Arabic page adds that the Dubai Police service is free and available around the clock to everyone, and covers "the criminal status of financial cases in the Emirate of Dubai only" (our translation).
Can I check a travel ban with my passport number?
u.ae does not list a passport number as an input for any of the three services. It says Dubai Police's service takes the Emirates ID number and Estafser the unified number; the Estafser form asks for the UID, and the Public Prosecution's inquiry takes a case number. (We could not see the Dubai Police form itself, which sits behind a UAE PASS sign-in.) u.ae's general advice is to seek a lawyer's help or contact the nearest immigration office or police station.
Dubai Police: financial cases and travel bans
u.ae's Arabic page describes it as a free service that lets individuals check online, around the clock, the criminal status of financial cases in Dubai only and whether there is a travel ban against them; it is open to all members of the community and asks for the number of your UAE-issued identity card. The same check is in the Dubai Police app (iOS, Android), and u.ae's English page also suggests the smart police stations. When we opened the online service on 25 October 2026, it asked us to sign in with UAE PASS.
Abu Dhabi Judicial Department: Estafser
Estafser lets individuals check whether there are any cases against them with the Public Prosecution (u.ae, Arabic page). The form asks for your UID and a captcha. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department's call centre is 600 599 799 (+971 2 651 2222 from abroad).
Federal Public Prosecution: case inquiry
If you already have a case number, the federal Public Prosecution's case inquiry searches by case number, city, year and prosecution office. Its city list covers Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Masafi, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Dibba Al Fujairah. Its call centre is 80099999.
Before you travel
u.ae: "Before planning your travel, it is advisable to check and/or solve any issues that might stop you at the immigration counters. If necessary, you may seek the assistance of a lawyer or contact the nearest immigration office/police station." The Public Prosecution's portal lists a request to lift a travel ban among its services; how a ban is lifted depends on the case behind it, which is a question for a lawyer.
For employers
u.ae describes the Dubai Police and Estafser checks as ones where the person enters their own Emirates ID number or unified number. For an employee's visa status or overstay fines rather than a ban, see our UAE visa status check guide; for labour disputes that reach court, our labour court guide.
How ZETUP PRO helps
ZETUP PRO is not a law firm and cannot lift a travel ban; for a case, use a licensed lawyer. What we do is keep a mainland company's MOHRE and immigration files current on a published monthly retainer (work permits, visas, Emirates IDs, renewals and cancellations), so the company's own paperwork is not what holds anyone up. See what our PRO services in Dubai cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I check if I have a travel ban in the UAE? A: u.ae lists three official checks: Dubai Police's financial cases and travel ban service (Emirates ID number; financial cases in Dubai only, per u.ae's Arabic page), the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department's Estafser (unified number) for cases with the Public Prosecution, and the federal Public Prosecution's case inquiry (case number).
Q: Can I check a UAE travel ban with my passport number? A: u.ae does not list a passport number as an input for any of the three official services: it says Dubai Police's service takes the Emirates ID number and Estafser the unified number, and the Public Prosecution's inquiry takes a case number.
Q: Is the Dubai Police travel ban check free? A: u.ae's Arabic page describes it as a free service, available online around the clock to everyone. When we opened it on 25 October 2026, it asked for a UAE PASS sign-in.
Q: Does the Dubai Police check cover Abu Dhabi and the other emirates? A: No, as u.ae describes it: its Arabic page says the service covers the criminal status of financial cases in Dubai only. u.ae also points to the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department's Estafser (cases with the Public Prosecution) and the federal Public Prosecution's case inquiry, whose city list covers Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Masafi, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Dibba Al Fujairah.
Q: Why would I have a travel ban in the UAE? A: u.ae says you may have a travel ban if you have a pending legal case in the UAE. The official checks above show financial cases and cases with the Public Prosecution.
Q: What should I do if I have a travel ban? A: u.ae advises seeking the assistance of a lawyer or contacting the nearest immigration office or police station. The Public Prosecution's portal lists a request to lift a travel ban among its services.
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Need Professional Help?
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