AE
United Arab Emirates
Mixed results; a meaningful share of registrants have been refused.
This rating rests on little or old data, so treat it as a rough guide.
Based on 7 reports. Score 0.62 on a scale from −1 (always refused) to +1 (always admitted), with recent reports counting most. Rated Difficult because about 40% of recent trips by current registrants ended in refusal. How scoring works
What to expect
Most of the 11 reports describe no entry problems, including three in 2025: a cruise stop at Dubai/Abu Dhabi and two flights into Dubai.1–3 The one denial, in August 2022 at Dubai airport, followed a 21-day advance notice routed through the Angel Watch Center; officers appeared to know in advance, held the traveler about four hours, and returned them to the US.8 Several of the no-problem accounts involve airside transits through Dubai without clearing immigration, or travelers who were off the registry, so they may not reflect a registrant entering the country.24579
Written by an AI model from the reports below on September 20, 2026. The numbers link to the reports each sentence is based on. Read those before you decide.
Common questions
Can registered sex offenders enter United Arab Emirates?
It's rated Difficult, but there are no trips reported in the last two years, so treat that as a rough guide.
Do United Arab Emirates's border officers know about US registrants in advance?
In 1 report, officers appeared to know before the traveler arrived, which usually points to a US advance notification (often called Angel Watch).
How do travelers usually arrive in United Arab Emirates?
Reports on file describe 2 by air. Outcomes can differ by how travelers arrive; each report below says which.
- 1Oct 2025 (reported)
Admitted, no issues · By air, Dubai
The traveler flew to Dubai with no apparent advance notification and no entry problems.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand · Former registrant
- 2May 2025 (reported)
Admitted, no issues · By air
After leaving the registry and obtaining an unmarked passport, the traveler flew from Paris to Dubai with no issues.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand · Former registrant
- 3Feb 2025
Admitted, no issues · By sea or cruise, Dubai/Abu Dhabi cruise port
The traveler visited during a cruise stop and reported no problems.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand · Former registrant
- 4Apr 2024
Admitted, no issues · Changing planes, Dubai
The traveler changed planes in Dubai en route from the US and made the connection without problems.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand
- 5Mar 2024
Admitted, no issues · Changing planes, Dubai (DXB)
The same traveler connected through Dubai in both directions without clearing immigration; the outbound connection was routine and on the return everyone's carry-on bags were searched, with nothing singling them out.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
- 6Feb 2024 (reported)
Admitted, no issues · By air, Dubai
The traveler flew first to Paris and then continued to Dubai on a separate ticket, entering without reported problems.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
- 7Dec 2023
Admitted, no issues · By air
A traveler off the registry visited the UAE in December, with no entry problems reported; scrutiny occurred only on the return to the US.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand · Former registrant
- 8Aug 2022
Refused entry · By air, Dubai International Airport
The traveler flew to Dubai to visit family after filing a 21-day advance travel notice with their state, which was forwarded to the Angel Watch Center and passed to local authorities. On arrival they were held for about four hours of additional screening and then placed on the first flight back to the United States; a screener commented that arriving a day earlier would have resulted in entry.
RSO Travel Matrix trip report form · Traveler report · Firsthand · officers appeared to be notified in advance
- 92022
Admitted, no issues · Changing planes, Dubai
The traveler flew through Dubai the previous year with no problems.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand
- 102014
Admitted after questioning · Changing planes, UAE airport (US preclearance)
While transiting the UAE, the traveler went through US preclearance at the airport and was sent to secondary inspection, then continued on and arrived in the US as a domestic-style flight.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
- 112014
Admitted, no issues · Changing planes, UAE airport
The traveler had a several-hour layover in the UAE while returning to the US and reported no problems making the connection.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
- 12By 2022
Refused entry
Row from the RTAG Travel Matrix, an undated summary last maintained around 2021.
- Registrants turned away
- Yes
- Law bars sex offenders
- No
- Law bars people with felonies
- No
- Has its own offender registry
- No
Registrant Travel Action Group (RTAG) · Legacy matrix · Summary