In the UAE, it’s possible for late-paying borrowers with unpaid bank or credit card debts to face travel bans until the outstanding loans are settled. If you’ve received a civil court order banning you from traveling due to unpaid dues, it’s important to understand your rights and responsibilities. This article provides an overview of travel bans linked to financial cases in the UAE and how to lift them.
How Travel Bans Get Imposed for Unpaid Debts
If an individual or company defaults on a bank loan or credit card payment in the UAE, the lender may open a civil court case to attempt to recover the owed money. Defaulting on debts above AED 10,000 can trigger legal action.
As part of the civil court process, the issuing judge may impose an immigration travel ban to prevent expat debtors from fleeing the country without repaying loans. Travel bans prohibit leaving the UAE until the outstanding balance and associated legal fees are paid off in full.
Banks must provide sufficient warning and notice about delinquency of accounts before seeking a travel ban. Borrowers who receive a court order imposing an immigration ban should consult a legal expert.
Risks of Travel Ban for Personal and Professional Life
For delinquent debtors, travel bans can massively disrupt both work and personal life. Professionals can no longer travel abroad for business meetings or conferences. Employees who need to travel for their job may face termination.
For expat residents, being banned from travel essentially means being stuck in the UAE until debts are cleared. Family visits, holidays, medical treatment abroad and other travel plans get put on hold. Travel bans prevent leaving for any reason until they are canceled.
Getting Travel Bans Lifted
If you receive a travel ban notice for unpaid debts, you have two options:
Repay Debts to Clear Travel Ban –
Settling the full outstanding loan amount and associated legal fees will result in lifting the travel ban. The process may take a few days once it is repaid.
File Dispute Case –
If you dispute the imposed travel ban or feel it is unjustified, you can hire a lawyer to file a formal case and request the removal of the ban. If accepted, the court may allow travel again while the dispute is processed.
Falling behind on credit card or bank loan repayments in the UAE can lead to travel bans until debts are settled. Lin International Debt Management has a skilled legal team that can help borrowers in such situations.
They work to resolve outstanding dues through negotiation and payment plans to lift travel restrictions. With deep expertise in UAE financial law, Lin International Services can advise you on your rights, obligations, and options to aid responsible loan management. Their guidance helps borrowers take control of their debts and avoid travel bans that disrupt their freedom.
