What is illegal entry?
Article 4 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021 on Entry and Residence of Foreigners requires a valid passport, a valid visa (unless exempted) and entry and exit through the approved ports. Entering outside those requirements is unlawful entry.
Article 21 punishes any foreigner arrested in the UAE after illegally infiltrating or entering it.
What is the penalty?
Imprisonment, together with a court order for the foreigner's deportation and confiscation of funds obtained from any activity or work carried out during that period (Article 21).
The article does not set a minimum or maximum term. The court decides within the general penalty rules.
What about people who help others to enter or leave?
Article 22 punishes a driver or captain of a means of transport who brings in or takes out a foreigner in violation of the law, and anyone who guides, instructs or assists an infiltrator, with temporary imprisonment.
The court also orders confiscation of the means used, without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties, and the foreigner's deportation.
What if I entered lawfully and later lost status?
That is a different situation. Overstaying after a visa or residence permit ends is dealt with by administrative fines and obligations to leave, not by the illegal entry offence.
See our guide on visa overstay. If you were deported before, Article 18 requires the Chairman's permission before you return.
What should I do first?
Do not make statements about how you entered without advice
The route and the documents matter.
Gather any evidence of lawful entry
Passport stamps, tickets and visa records.
Contact your embassy if you wish
They can support but not stop the case.
Call us immediately
Detention and deportation can move quickly.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
Is illegal entry punished by prison?
Yes. Article 21 provides imprisonment and requires the court to order deportation.
Is confiscation possible?
Article 21 requires the court to order confiscation of funds obtained from any work carried out during the period.
Can someone be punished for helping an infiltrator?
Yes. Article 22 provides temporary imprisonment for guiding, instructing or assisting.
Can a deported person come back?
Not without permission from the Chairman of the Federal Authority (Article 18(1)).
Related guides
Immigration & Visa Offences overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewVisa Overstay
What happens when a visa or residence permit ends and you are still in the UAE, how the fines work, and when it becomes a criminal matter.
Read the guideVisa Fraud
What the law says about forging or using a forged visa or residence permit, the penalty, and why deportation is not optional.
Read the guideSources
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.