United Arab Emirates

No public sex offender registry was found. The Ministry of Interior announced plans for a sex offenders' register in 2010, but no law creating one was found. An entry visa may be granted only if the foreigner is not prohibited from entering the State and the competent authorities agree to his entry (Executive Regulations, art. 8). A foreigner who has been deported may not return without the ICA Chairman's permission (Decree-Law 29/2021, art. 18(1)).

Brief profile · Last verified: October 30, 2026 · All countries

Each statement is labelled Law (statute, regulation or court ruling), Policy (official guidance) or Reported practice (what officials report doing). Items marked Recheck could not be fully confirmed from a primary source.

The country's own registry

Finding No published rule found as of October 30, 2026. No public sex offender registry was found.
Reported practice In April 2010 a senior Ministry of Interior official said proposed child-protection laws would set up a sex offenders' register to keep track of convicted paedophiles after release, with offenders required to notify police before moving to a new area or country.
Source: The National: A shield for children from sexual predators (Apr. 18, 2010)
Recheck: A 2010 announcement of a plan. No law or official page creating the register was found; confirm whether one was ever established.

Entry and admissibility

Law To enter, a foreigner needs a valid passport, a valid visa (unless his nationality is exempted by Cabinet resolution), entry through an approved port, and any other condition in the Executive Regulations (Decree-Law 29/2021, art. 4).
Source: Federal Law by Decree No. (29) of 2021 Concerning Entry and Residence of Foreigners (UAE Legislation, English) — archived copy of Sept. 1, 2024 (uaelegislation.gov.ae returned 403 Oct. 30, 2026)
Recheck: Read from the 2024 archived copy; confirm no later amendment of the Decree-Law.
Law An entry visa may be granted only if, among other conditions, the foreigner is not prohibited from entering the State, has not previously been expelled from it, and the competent authorities agree to his entry (Executive Regulations, art. 8(2), (3), (6)).
Source: Cabinet Resolution No. (65) of 2022 Issuing the Executive Regulations of Federal Law by Decree No. (29) of 2021 (UAE Legislation, English) — archived copy of Oct. 4, 2026 (uaelegislation.gov.ae returned 403 Oct. 30, 2026)
Law The Federal Public Prosecutor or the ICA Chairman may order a foreigner deported, even if he holds a visa or residence permit, where required by the public interest, public security, public morals or public health (Decree-Law 29/2021, art. 15(1)). A foreigner who has been deported may not return without the Chairman's permission (art. 18(1)).
Source: Federal Law by Decree No. (29) of 2021 Concerning Entry and Residence of Foreigners (UAE Legislation, English) — archived copy of Sept. 1, 2024 (uaelegislation.gov.ae returned 403 Oct. 30, 2026)
Finding No published rule found as of October 30, 2026. No provision listing convictions abroad as a ground of refusal, and no report of the UAE refusing a U.S. registrant after a U.S. travel notification, was found.

Visa / travel authorisation

Policy For personal travel of 30 days or less, a U.S. citizen with a regular (non-emergency) passport with an M or F marker may obtain a no-fee visitor visa on arrival. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry. Passports with an "X" marker and 12-page emergency passports are not accepted. Extensions beyond 30 days are at the discretion of immigration officials.
Source: U.S. Department of State: United Arab Emirates International Travel Information — archived copy of July 9, 2026; The Official Portal of the UAE Government (u.ae): Check if you need a visa to enter the UAE
Recheck: travel.state.gov returned 403; read from the July 9, 2026 archived copy. The u.ae page confirms visa on arrival exists and the six-month passport rule but does not show the country list. Some non-government sources say U.S. citizens now receive 90 days; confirm the current period with ICP.
Reported practice The State Department warns that travellers, including transit passengers, will be barred from leaving the UAE if any criminal or civil case is open against them.
Source: U.S. Department of State: United Arab Emirates International Travel Information — archived copy of July 9, 2026

What U.S. rules still apply

Law U.S. law still applies to the trip itself: registrants must report international travel at least 21 days in advance, and the U.S. may notify the destination country before arrival. See the U.S. travel guide for the notice rule, the passport identifier and how notifications work.
Source: ComplianceAtlas: Traveling Abroad as a U.S. Registrant

Read Traveling Abroad as a U.S. Registrant before booking.

Sources

Legal Disclaimer

International laws, immigration policies, and registry requirements change frequently and may vary depending on citizenship, visa type, offense history, and purpose of travel. Entry decisions are made solely by each country's immigration authorities. Always verify current requirements using official government sources before traveling. This page is not legal advice.