Can you go to Dubai with a felony? Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates is a popular tourist destination, and thanks to its lack of income tax, has long been a magnet for expats who make up over 90% of the population.
Is your felony record going to stand in your way of visiting or working in Dubai? Let’s find out.
Can You Go To Dubai With A Felony?
Short answer: Felons can visit Dubai for tourism purposes without issue, however, you may be ineligible for a work visa depending on the nature of your felony and how recent it is.
Can Felons Travel To Dubai For Tourism?
As a citizen of the United States traveling to Dubai for tourism, you’re eligible for a visa on arrival.
After landing at Dubai International Airport, head to immigration where your passport will be stamped with a 30‑day visit visa for free. That’s all there is to it. No visa application or criminal background check is required.
For a Dubai visa on arrival, you only need a return ticket and a passport valid for at least 6 months.
What about longer visits? The 30-day visa on arrival can be extended for an additional 30 days. You’ll need to pay a fee, and you should make sure your visa extension is approved before your current visa expires.
The UAE used to allow a 10-day grace period for visa renewals, but that’s no longer the case.
Overstaying a visa results in a daily fine of AED50 (approx $13) which must be paid when you leave the country. Serious overstays of 30 days or longer will result in arrest.
Can Felons Go To Dubai For Work?
To work for an employer in Dubai you’ll need a work visa. Work visas are arranged by employers, you can’t apply for a work visa yourself.
For work visa approval, you must provide a good conduct and behavior certificate. This police clearance certificate has to cover the previous 5 years.
A felony reported on your criminal record won’t automatically result in the denial of a work visa. Your criminal record, explanation of the circumstances surrounding the conviction, and recent conduct will be reviewed by UAE immigration officers to determine if you meet the good character standard.
Certificates of good conduct are available through your local police department or via an FBI Identification Record from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Both issuers charge a processing fee and fingerprints are required.
Learn more here:
The remote worker visa is another option for living and working in Dubai. With this visa, it’s possible to live in Dubai while you work for an employer in a different country.
To apply you’ll need:
- Proof of employment outside of the UAE
- Bank statements (last six months) proving a monthly income of at least US $3,500
- Salary certificate of US$3,500
- Valid passport
- Passport photo
- Health insurance from a provider in the UAE
- Police clearance certificate
Can A Felon Go To Dubai To Look For Work?
When entering Dubai, travelers must declare the purpose of their visit. Entering on a tourist visa to seek employment could be considered visa fraud, potentially leading to legal consequences.
If you plan to look for work, you should apply for a job-seeker visit visa. This visa allows you to visit Dubai to look for work and can be issued for 60, 90, or 120 days.
The conditions for a job-seeker visa are fairly strict. Applicants must have graduated from one of the top 500 universities in the world in the last 2 years with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
You must also provide a financial guarantee of AED1000 (US $270) and meet levels 1, 2, or 3 of the professional classification criteria.
- Level 1: Legislators, managers, and business executives
- Level 2: Professionals in scientific, technical, and human fields
- Level 3: Technicians in scientific, technical, and humanitarian fields
To apply for a job-seekers visa you’ll need:
- Copy of your passport
- Qualification certificate
- Color passport photo
The official requirements for a job-seeker’s visa don’t include a criminal background check or a certificate of good conduct, meaning felons who meet the other requirements should be able to go to Dubai to look for work.
Full details including application fees: https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae/echannels/web/client/guest/index.html?administrativeRegionId=1#/serviceCards/939
Before you make plans to relocate or enjoy a vacation in Dubai, check the latest information on the UAE government website at: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id.
Read Also: