"Only one route": UAE law outlines conditions for deported foreigners to return
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- A UAE law sets a firm condition that deported foreigners must satisfy before they can legally re-enter the country
- Article 76 of Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022 spells out the rule governing the return of deported individuals to the UAE
- Only one specific legal authority holds the power to grant a deported foreigner permission to come back to the UAE
The United Arab Emirates has made it clear that foreigners who have been deported from the country cannot simply board a flight back once they feel enough time has passed.
A specific legal condition must be met first, and it is not a minor one.
The rule is embedded in Article 76 of Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, which serves as the executive framework for Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021 on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners.
Under that provision, a deported individual may only return to the UAE after receiving direct approval from the Chairman. No other route exists.
Who Holds the Power to Let Deported Foreigners Back In
The law is unambiguous on this point: the decision rests solely with the Chairman. There is no automatic reinstatement, no passage of time that clears the record, and no resolution of an original offence that unlocks the door.
Any foreigner who has been removed from the UAE and wishes to return must first go through the formal approval process before making any travel arrangements.
This applies to all foreign nationals regardless of their country of origin, including Kenyans and other Africans living or working in the Gulf state.
Attempting to re-enter without securing the Chairman's clearance would amount to a violation of federal law, with potentially serious consequences.
What This Means for Africans in the UAE
For the many Kenyans and other African nationals who live, work or travel through the UAE, this provision is a critical reminder that deportation carries lasting legal weight.
It is not a temporary inconvenience but a formal barrier that requires official intervention to lift.
The Cabinet Resolution was issued in 2022 to bring structure and clarity to how the UAE manages the movement and legal status of foreigners within its borders.
The framework reflects the UAE's broader approach of treating immigration violations as serious matters with firm, lasting consequences.
Foreigners who have previously been deported and are considering a return to the UAE are strongly advised to seek the required clearance through the appropriate legal channels well before any travel plans are made.
In a related story, TUKO.co.ke reported that the UAE had published the penalties for foreigners who overstay their visas.
UAE Gives Foreigners 60-Day Residency Deadline
TUKO.co.ke recently reported that the UAE requires foreigners entering on family residence visas to complete their residency procedures within 60 days.
Those who miss the deadline can be classified as overstaying and begin accumulating fines.
The rule applies to dependents whose residency is linked to a sponsor’s permit, and delays in paperwork do not provide an exemption.
The deadline is particularly important for Kenyans and other Africans relocating to the UAE who may be waiting for sponsors to complete their residency process.
Source: Legit.ng
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.