When can someone be arrested?
In urgency, on a foreign judicial authority's arrest warrant, the Attorney-General or a delegate may order detention for 60 days until the request is received (Article 15).
Once a request is received, the Attorney-General or a delegate may order arrest if there is fear of escape (Article 16).
What are the first steps after arrest?
The person must be brought before the competent Public Prosecution within 48 hours, told the reason for arrest and the content of the request, and has the right to a lawyer present during questioning (Article 17).
This is the stage at which early advice has the most effect.
Can the person be released?
Yes. The Attorney-General or a delegate may order release under guarantees, on their own accord or at the person's request. Release does not stop a later re-arrest for 60 days once the request is received (Articles 15 and 16).
Where the Minister declines approval, the Attorney General orders release (Article 26). Custody awaiting surrender cannot exceed 60 days (Article 28).
What should I do first?
Ask for a lawyer at once
You have the right to a lawyer present during questioning before the Public Prosecution.
Check the 48 hours
Note when you were arrested and when you were brought before the Public Prosecution.
Prepare guarantees
Release is under guarantees set by the Attorney-General, so have your address, passport position and ties to the UAE documented.
Watch the 60-day periods
Detention on an urgent warrant and any later re-arrest each run for 60 days, so we track the dates.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fixed bail amount?
The law speaks of release under guarantees determined by the Attorney-General, not a fixed sum, so what is required is decided in each case.
Does the court hear a bail request?
The release provisions in Articles 15 and 16 give the power to the Attorney-General or a delegate, so the request is made to the prosecution.
Related guides
Extradition Cases overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewExtradition Requests and Proceedings
How a foreign request reaches the UAE courts and what happens at each step of the proceedings.
Read the guideExtradition Appeals
Who can appeal an extradition decision, the time limit and what the appeal court does.
Read the guideSources
Source: Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 (International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 15 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active and last updated on 28 September 2023. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.