UAE: How to Verify a Travel Ban Related to Credit Card Debt?
Question: I defaulted on several credit card payments after losing my job, and although I've settled some of the debts, I no longer have records of those payments. I need to travel urgently to my home country, but I'm unsure if any legal cases or travel bans are still in effect. How can I check my legal status, and am I allowed to leave the UAE if any cases are pending?
Answer: A UAE resident who defaulted on multiple credit cards after losing their job is now facing an urgent need to travel to their home country — but without proof of cleared payments, they are unsure if any legal cases or travel bans remain. This raises a critical question: how can one check their legal status, and is it possible to leave the UAE if any financial cases are pending?
Under UAE banking regulations, missing three consecutive or six non-consecutive monthly payments can result in default status, allowing banks to demand full repayment without prior court action. This clause is outlined in Article 4(4) of the Personal Loan Agreement format approved by the UAE Central Bank.
If a bank takes the matter to court and the outstanding amount exceeds Dh10,000, a judge can impose a travel ban. This falls under Article 324 of Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022. A travel ban remains in place until the debt is cleared, though it can be lifted if the creditor consents in writing, if the debtor provides a sufficient guarantee, or if the full debt is deposited with the court.
Other conditions for lifting a ban include creditor inaction—such as failing to file a case within eight days of the ban or not initiating enforcement within 30 days of a final judgment. A ban may also lapse if three years pass without enforcement or if the individual's UAE stay becomes illegal and deportation is ordered.
To avoid complications, anyone unsure about pending cases or travel restrictions should confirm their legal status before attempting to leave the country. This can be done through the Dubai Police Smart App, at a local police station, or by checking with Dubai Courts. Engaging a UAE-based lawyer to conduct the checks and represent the individual may also be a prudent step.
Civil proceedings, not criminal charges, typically follow credit card default—especially if no post-dated cheques were involved. But even civil cases can lead to significant legal and travel limitations if left unresolved.
For those in similar situations, proactive legal verification is essential to avoid unexpected airport detentions or denied departures.
News Source: Khaleej Times
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