I have a travel ban for bank loan debt. Can I switch jobs from Dubai to Abu Dhabi if the travel ban exists?

Dear Client,

With an active travel ban for bank loan debt, you generally cannot switch jobs from Dubai to Abu Dhabi because visa cancellation and new visa processing are blocked until the ban is lifted nationwide.

You’ll need to resolve the debt and have the court/bank remove the ban before your employer can transfer or issue a new visa.

I can assist you in negotiating with the bank, arranging a settlement, and securing the ban removal so you can change jobs smoothly.

Regards,

Abdul Wahied

Hello,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding your travel ban due to outstanding bank loan debt.

Please note that under UAE law, if a travel ban is in place, you will not be able to transfer your employment or relocate from Dubai to Abu Dhabi until the matter is resolved.

Travel bans impact processes such as visa transfers and sponsor changes.

To proceed, you would need to either settle the outstanding debt, negotiate a repayment plan with the bank, provide a bank guarantee, or deposit the amount with the court to lift the ban.

We recommend a legal consultation to review your specific case and explore the most efficient route to resolving the issue. Please let us know if you'd like to schedule an appointment to discuss the next steps.

Best regards,

Yes, you can.

The travel ban has no issues with visas.

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for your inquiry. To confirm whether you have a travel ban in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE, we can assist you with a comprehensive check for civil and criminal cases.

Required Steps:

Before we can initiate the legal process of a travel ban check, we will require a Power of Attorney (POA) to represent you before government authorities and police stations. To facilitate the notarization of the POA, please provide the following documents:

- A copy of your old and new passports

- A copy of your visa

- A copy of your Emirates ID

Once we receive these documents by email, we will draft the POA in both English and Arabic and send it to you for review, signature, and return.

Afterward, the POA will be submitted to the federal Notary Public for notarization. The notary will provide a link for a remote meeting with you, during which your original passport will be verified, and you will sign electronically.

Costs and Process:

- Notary Fees: USD 165 (paid directly to the notary). You will receive a digital copy of the notarized POA.

- Legal Fees for Travel Ban Check: USD 325. Once the notarized POA is received, we will check the UAE criminal record system for any criminal cases, travel bans, arrest warrants, or execution files registered against your name. This process typically takes about four working days.

We are here to assist you every step of the way. Please let us know if you have any questions or require further clarification.

Sincerely,

Mohammad Salah

Legal Consultant

You may transfer your job from Dubai to Abu Dhabi if the travel ban is only for a bank loan and not linked to a labour ban or active execution order blocking visa issuance.

The safest step is to run an official immigration and MOHRE check before proceeding. We can conduct this check and, if needed, request a temporary suspension of the ban to allow the transfer.

This response is provided by RASHID ALKAITOOB ADVOCATES & LEGAL CONSULTANTS, based solely on the information you’ve provided and does not constitute a final legal opinion.