Using Forged Travel Documents in UAE: Punishments and Consequences

Traveling with forged documents is a very serious crime in the UAE. UAE Immigration Department is working actively to counter such crimes. Under Article 24, it states that if someone enters the UAE or having Residence of foreigners, forging a visa, residence permit, or any official document may face serious consequences.

If someone knowingly uses fake documents may face Imprisonment of up to ten years, with the same penalty. Under Article 32 of Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021, the Penal Code provisions concerning suspension of sentence execution, substitution of penalties and judicial pardon do not apply to penalties imposed under the preceding provisions of the Decree-Law. Deportation is mandatory for such crimes in the UAE. Article 24 of Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021 specifically covers forged visas, residence permits and related official documents.

Travel document fraud in the UAE is not handled by any specific single statute or law. There are couple of laws covering the forged travel document matters. It cannot be covered under one law therefore It is governed under a set of federal laws and prosecutors charge this crime with more than one laws.

• Article 24 of Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021 throws light on forged visas, residence permits.
• Article 32 throws light on penalty substitution.
• Articles 251–259 of the UAE Penal Code govern general Forgery.
• Article 14 of the Cybercrime Law defines Electronic-document forgery.

Making a document and using it, both are two separate forms of conduct. Such subjects can also be discussed with professional lawyers for further assistance. However, Article 258 of the Penal Code explains if a person knowingly and intentionally uses a forged document, is punished with same penalty defined in law, even that is not created by him. Article 24 of the Entry and Residence Law similarly applies the same penalty to a person who knowingly uses a forged visa, residence permit or supporting official document described in that article.

If a traveler didn’t even alter or design a fake visa, but evidence shows that the traveler knew it was false and still presented it at check-in or passport control, the traveler can be prosecuted with the defines laws in UAE. Concerned authorities and legal entities, can consider messages, payments, warnings, inconsistent explanations and the condition of the document when deciding whether the person knew it before.

If any agent tried to deceive any traveller, then that case can be handled differently. However, it also depends on the investigation and its results. Using fake documents unknowingly might be helpful and provide a flexibility, and the traveler, can get some relaxation from prosecutor. However, investigation is must and it does not grant a complete exemption from the investigation or punishment.

Therefore, traveler should keep evidence showing how the document was obtained from the travel agent, and why it was appeared legitimate before. Travelers also need to provide the agent’s business details including messages, emails, and all the previous communication records. It provides a strength to their case. Travelers should also submit paid invoices, receipts, or wire transfer proof to prosecutor to prove his innocence.

It is highly recommended victims should never delete any conversation with travel agent until he reaches to his place peacefully. A professional lawyer can assess and review the situation and can suggest the right legal remedy in such cases.

A traveler who travels with fake or forged documents can face very different kinds of charges depending on their crime. If UAE law is supportive then this is also very strict for those who do not respect the law. Under Article 24, such a traveler can face imprisonment for up to ten years. Article 24 applies to the forgery of a visa, residence permit, and forged official documents required for VISA/travelling. This law does not cover all the forged documents

• For official documents forgery, individuals can face imprisonment up to ten years (under Article 252). A forged copy of an official document can be charged with five years’ imprisonment or a heavy fine along with that.

Article 24 authorizes the court to deport the foreign national in all cases falling under any case of forgery of documents. Additionally, other penal code can also make deportation mandatory, depending on a formal legal judgment (It can be checked with professional lawyers). The person faces cancellation of immigration status, refusal of entry, an immigration alert, or difficulty obtaining future visas because of fake documents.

A forged document can easily be detected during an online application, airline check-in, departure screening, or arrival inspection. For final charges, the technical examination requires, for example, security features, machine-readable data, biometric information, and issuing-authority records.

1. At the scene of crime, officers record the circumstances and secure the document for further investigation and ask questions to know all the related facts.
2. Immigration officers record statements, communications, transactions, and official records.
3. Prosecutors review the evidence and decide about charges.
4. The court considers the evidence and delivers a verdict on the applicable charges.

If authorities ask about a suspected forged travel document, then firs of all do not get panic. You should behave in a proper way and do not attempt to leave or run. You, should cooperate with authorities and provide all the real information. Request an official interpreter if you are not comfortable proceeding in Arabic. Contact a professional criminal law expert lawyer. If you are detained, you can also ask about a help from your consular in UAE. Avoid discussing the facts publicly or posting the case on social media. Early legal assistance is always favorable.

Do not use the fake documents knowingly, as it may let you face serious legal consequences. Verify the visa through the issuing authority or approved immigration channels before flight bookings. Keep a record of the original file, agent messages, payment confirmation, and application reference. Do not alter the document, purchase another unofficial visa, or make a false statement.

Knowingly using a forged document can be prosecuted on strict grounds. Deportation is one of the punishments. For a foreign national convicted under Article 24 of the Entry and Residence Law, deportation is mandatory. In cases charged under other provisions, deportation depends on the applicable statutory rule, classification of the offence and judgment. Under Article 24, person can be imprisoned for up to ten years for the specified offence. The same penalty applies to knowing use, and the court also can order deportation. A genuine lack of awareness can provide a defense, but the court will examine all surrounding evidence first. Last but not the least, that provided information can be outdated or incomplete, therefore no liability is taken or owned. We recommend consulting our experienced legal experts. We believe do not take any action unless experienced advocates and legal consultants guide you. Therefore, a legal counselling is always a good option. We are one of the leading law firms in United Arab Emirates.