What is the difference between extradition and an INTERPOL notice?
Extradition is the legal process by which a state hands a person to another state. An INTERPOL notice is an alert between police forces. A notice is not an arrest warrant and does not itself send anyone anywhere.
INTERPOL describes a Red Notice as a request to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action, and says each member country applies its own laws in deciding whether to arrest. Extradition is then decided under national law and treaties.
How does the UAE deal with extradition requests?
The UAE law on international judicial cooperation in criminal matters sets the procedure: a written request through diplomatic channels, a review by the Public Prosecution, a hearing before the competent court, an appeal, and the Minister's approval.
Article 7 of Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 requires, among other conditions, that the act is punishable by at least one year of deprivation of liberty in both states. Article 9 lists the grounds on which extradition shall not be granted.
Why do these cases need a lawyer early?
Because the key periods are short: a person arrested must be brought before the Public Prosecution within 48 hours, and an appeal against an extradition decision must be filed within 30 days.
A notice can also affect travel and banking long before any court is involved, so we look at both the UAE process and the INTERPOL file together.
What should I do first?
Work out which process you face
Is it a UAE extradition request, an INTERPOL notice, or both? The papers you hold decide the next move.
Do not travel to test the position
An airport stop is the worst place to learn that a notice exists.
Keep every paper and message
Summonses, warrants, notices, court papers and messages from any authority, with dates.
Call us before you contact any authority
What you say to a bank, an embassy or the police can be used later.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
Is an INTERPOL Red Notice the same as an arrest warrant?
No. INTERPOL states that a Red Notice is an international alert but is not an arrest warrant, and that it cannot compel any country to arrest someone.
Can the UAE extradite its own citizens?
Article 9(1) of Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 says extradition shall not be granted if the person is a citizen of the UAE.
Guides in this section
Extradition Cases
How a foreign request to surrender a person is received, tested before the court and appealed in the UAE.
Read the guideINTERPOL Cases
What INTERPOL notices and diffusions are, how they are checked and challenged, and what they mean for someone in or travelling through the UAE.
Read the guideRelated guides
Sources
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. Source for INTERPOL statements: About Red Notices and About Notices on interpol.int, checked 15 October 2026. INTERPOL can change its rules, so confirm the current text before relying on it.
This page is general information, not legal advice.