If a person currently has a travel ban, is it possible for them to obtain a new labor contract?

Hello,

While a travel ban is active in the UAE, it is only possible to renew an existing residence visa under the same sponsor.

The system does not permit a transfer of residency to a new employer or the issuance of a new labour contract under a different company.

This means that if the person is under a travel ban, the current company can renew the visa, but a new company cannot process a labour contract or residence transfer.

Once the new employer submits the application, the system will automatically flag the restriction, and the application will be blocked. In practice, the new company will become aware that there is an issue preventing the transfer.

Accordingly, as long as the travel ban remains, a new labour contract cannot be processed. The first step must be to resolve or lift the travel ban; only then can a transfer to a new employer be completed.

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for your inquiry!

The effect of a travel ban can vary depending on the authority that imposed it and the underlying cause. It is advisable to:

- Conduct a status check through the immigration department to identify the exact type of ban.

- Ensure there are no related labour bans or active cases that could affect work permit issuance.

Should you wish, our office can assist in verifying the ban status and advising on the appropriate steps for a smooth employment process.

Kind regards,

Mohammed Salah

Legal Consultant

Regarding labor contracts and travel bans in Dubai/UAE:

New Labor Contract: Generally not possible while a travel ban is active.

Company Application: A company can submit, but the system will likely reject it due to the ban.

Employer Notification: The hiring company will be automatically notified of the travel ban during the application process.

Residency Visa: A travel ban does not necessarily cancel a valid residency visa (spouse visa).

Solution: The travel ban must be lifted first before a new labor contract or work permit can be issued.

Dear questioner,

They can obtain a new labor contract but will face issues with obtaining a visa. To remove these issues, we need to file for an exception in court.

The new company becomes aware of the issues while applying for the visa, but they will not know the full details of the case.

If the visa is already issued, then there is no problem, and the chances of issues are less.

If you need more details, kindly share your WhatsApp number.

You cannot obtain a new employment contract and work permit in Dubai while a travel ban is in effect.

However, the hiring company may be able to apply for a special work permit even before you leave the UAE.

The new company will not be notified of the travel ban once the application is submitted, unless the applicant chooses to disclose it. In any case, the employer must verify that the employee has the right to work for them before signing an employment contract.

Good day, and thank you for your detailed query!

A travel ban in Dubai typically restricts a person from exiting the UAE, but it does not automatically cancel their right to remain or affect every administrative process. The impact depends on the reason for the ban (such as civil case, criminal case, immigration issue, or unpaid debt). To your specific points:

- New labour contract despite a travel ban

In most cases, a travel ban does not in itself prevent a person from obtaining a new labour contract, provided there are no other active restrictions such as a labour ban or court order blocking new employment.

However, clearance from relevant authorities (MOHRE and Immigration) is required for every new contract, and this is where issues may arise depending on the underlying cause of the ban.

- Hiring company applying for the labour contract

Yes, a company can file an application for a new labour contract, but the system will reflect any active blocks. If the travel ban is linked to a financial or criminal case that triggers a “hold” in the immigration/labour system, the application could be stopped at the processing stage.

- Whether the new company will be notified

The company will not receive a detailed “reason”, but the application can be rejected or placed on hold. Practically, this is how they become aware: through system rejection or a request for clearance. The employer usually just sees that there is an “issue” in the immigration system, not the specifics of the travel ban.

Since the candidate’s spouse visa was renewed despite the ban, it suggests the restriction may only affect exit movement and not residency status, which is a positive indicator.

However, labour contracts involve additional clearance checks, so each case must be carefully reviewed to avoid rejection or delays.

I strongly advise a background check with Immigration before the company proceeds, so the candidate avoids complications or embarrassment with the hiring employer.

If you wish, I can assist in reviewing the specific type of travel ban in place and provide you with a clear road map on how to proceed so that employment and residency are secured without risk.

Please feel free to contact me directly, and we can discuss the situation in more detail and plan the next steps.

Thank you for contacting us via Legal Advice Middle East!

Your inquiry deals with the interaction between travel bans and labour contract applications in Dubai. We recently assisted a client in almost identical circumstances, where a candidate under a travel ban attempted to shift from a dependent visa to an employment contract.

The authorities allowed the residence visa renewal under the spouse sponsorship but blocked labour contract issuance until the travel ban was resolved, as labour-related approvals require clearance at multiple government levels.

There are several important angles. First, a travel ban does not necessarily stop a residency renewal under family sponsorship, but it typically prevents new employment sponsorship since labour approvals include security and financial clearances.

Second, the hiring company can submit the application, but the system will usually flag the travel ban at the stage of processing, and the application will either be delayed or rejected.

Third, the company will indeed be notified or become aware when their application is halted due to the unresolved travel ban.

The most strategic course is to resolve the travel ban first to avoid reputational or administrative complications with the new employer.

Our office can assist in checking the exact grounds of the travel ban, pursuing its removal, or arranging a settlement where possible, ensuring a smooth transition to the new employment.

To advise you precisely, we would need to review the type of travel ban, its underlying case, and your current visa status.

Our multilingual consultants are available in Arabic, English, Russian, Hindi, and Chinese to assist you.

This response is provided by RASHID ALKAITOOB ADVOCATES & LEGAL CONSULTANTS based solely on the information you have shared and does not constitute a final legal opinion. A binding assessment requires reviewing the complete documents of the case.