Does UAE criminal law apply to tourists and expats?
Yes. Article 17 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (Crimes and Penalties Law) applies the law to anyone who commits a crime on the territory of the State, including its lands, territorial waters and the airspace above them.
A crime is treated as committed on the territory if one of the acts constituting it, or its results, occurred or were intended to occur there. Nationality or visa status does not create an exemption.
What if part of the act took place abroad?
Article 20 applies the law to a person who performs, outside the State, an act that makes them a perpetrator or accomplice of a crime wholly or partly committed in the UAE.
Article 21 applies it, even for acts abroad, to certain crimes including those against State security, forgery or counterfeiting of the State's money and of currency legally circulated in the State, and premeditated murder of a citizen.
What are the extra risks for foreigners?
Deportation, residence and travel. A foreigner sentenced to a freedom-restricting penalty in a felony shall be deported (Article 126), and the Immigration Law lets authorities cancel a visa or permit for public interest or violations (Article 10).
Many foreigners are also subject to travel bans while a case is open. See our guides on deportation and travel bans.
What help do foreigners get in the process?
If you do not speak Arabic, an approved or licensed interpreter or approved technical means may be engaged by the police officer, prosecutor or judge (Article 8 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2022 (Criminal Procedures Law)).
You can ask your embassy for support, but it cannot stop the case. Ask for an interpreter early and do not sign what you cannot read.
What should I do first?
Tell your lawyer your visa status early
It changes the strategy.
Keep passport and visa details to hand
Authorities will ask for them.
Ask for an interpreter
Before answering.
Check for a travel ban before any trip
In either direction.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
Can a tourist be charged in Dubai?
Yes. The law applies to crimes committed on the territory of the State (Article 17).
What if I acted from abroad?
If the crime was wholly or partly committed in the UAE, the law applies to acts abroad (Article 20).
Is there an interpreter?
The authorities may engage an approved interpreter (Article 8 of the Criminal Procedures Law). Ask for one.
Can my visa be cancelled?
The Chairman may cancel a visa or residence permit at any time for public interest or violations (Article 10 of the Entry and Residence of Foreigners Law).
Related guides
Dubai Criminal Law overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewDeportation
When a court must or may order deportation, how it differs between ordinary crimes and drug offences, and the exception for family of UAE citizens.
Read the guideCases and Residence Visas
How a criminal case can affect your visa or residence permit, and when authorities can cancel it or order deportation without a conviction.
Read the guideSources
Source: Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (Crimes and Penalties Law), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active and last updated on 7 September 2026. The Arabic text prevails over translations. Source: Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2022 (Criminal Procedures Law), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active and last updated on 28 September 2023. The Arabic text prevails over translations. Source: Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021 (Entry and Residence of Foreigners), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active and last updated on 16 September 2021. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.