United Arab Emirates

Possession of even trace amounts of illegal drugs — including drugs detected in your bloodstream from use before you arrived — is illegal in the UAE, and bail is generally not granted.

Prison up to 15 years; death sentence for traffickers; blood/urine testing on suspicion.

Verified Jul 1, 2026

Cannabis is illegal in the United Arab Emirates in every form, including hashish, edibles, vape cartridges and oils. Using or possessing it for yourself carries at least three months in prison, or a fine of 10,000 to 100,000 dirhams, and a court must order the deportation of any foreigner convicted under the drugs law. A separate rule since April 2024 covers non-residents caught at the border with under 100 grams for personal use: a fine and entry on the first occasion, deportation and a three-year ban on the second, a lifetime ban on the third. That is a lighter penalty band, not permission. And being arrested at a place you know is kept for drug-taking is a separate offence even if you are carrying nothing and take nothing: six months to a year in prison and a fine of 10,000 to 20,000 dirhams.

Personal use or possession: at least three months in prison, or a fine of 10,000 to 100,000 dirhams, rising for repeat offences within three years. Deportation of a convicted foreigner is mandatory. Possession of 20 to 100 grams outside the border rule carries at least ten years; over 100 grams carries life. The death penalty applies where the offence is committed with intent to traffic or promote. Being arrested at a place you know is used for drug-taking: six months to one year plus a fine of 10,000 to 20,000 dirhams (art. 54). Managing, preparing or providing such a place: at least ten years plus a fine of at least 100,000 dirhams where the substance is one of those in Schedules 1, 2, 4 or 5 (art. 53).

Verified Sep 11, 2026

Narcotic and psychotropic medicines are controlled in the UAE — importing them requires prior UAE government permission, and prescriptions must be issued by a licensed doctor and authenticated to be valid.

Controlled medicines without permission and authenticated paperwork are treated as narcotics offenses.

Verified Jul 1, 2026

Transporting any arms, weapon parts, or even a single bullet of ammunition into the UAE is strictly prohibited without prior written UAE government approval.

Even one bullet or inert/decorative ammunition counts; written approval required.

Verified Jul 1, 2026

You must declare cash or bearer monetary instruments to UAE customs if the total exceeds AED 60,000 (or foreign-currency equivalent) on arrival.

Failure to declare is treated as smuggling — confiscation or fines.

Verified Jul 1, 2026

Importing non-Islamic religious pamphlets for missionary activity is prohibited, along with ivory, pornographic material, endangered species, and objects contrary to the UAE's religious/moral values; possession can bring detention and lengthy jail.

Detention and lengthy jail sentences

Verified Jul 1, 2026

Alcohol is sold only in licensed venues like certain hotels and restaurants, and public drunkenness is a serious offense (alcohol is fully banned in the emirate of Sharjah).

Detention awaiting court; jail, heavy fines, and lashings for Muslims.

Verified Jul 1, 2026

The US State Department lists e-cigarettes among items whose importation into the UAE is prohibited under UAE law.

Importation prohibited under UAE law per the US State Dept.

Verified Jul 20, 2026

Bring no more than 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars, or 500 g of loose or shisha tobacco) duty-free, and you must be 18 or over. Going over is not a fine and not a seizure - you pay customs duty on the excess, charged at 100% for cigarettes, plus VAT. Dubai Customs' website still shows a higher 400-cigarette figure, so pack to the lower 200 to be safe.

No fine or seizure is stated for exceeding the tobacco allowance. The consequence is a TAX consequence, not a penalty: "Customs duties will be imposed on excess quantities", at 100% on cigarettes plus VAT. Note carefully that the confiscation language on the same page attaches to excess ALCOHOL ("the excess quantity will be confiscated"), not to tobacco, and must not be carried across. Separately, passengers under 18 get no tobacco allowance at all.

Verified Aug 29, 2026

The UAE has zero tolerance for driving after consuming any alcohol regardless of your blood-alcohol level, visitors may need an international driving permit, and traffic is on the right.

Any alcohol = arrest; outstanding fines must be paid before departure or you may be detained at the airport.

Verified Jul 1, 2026

Flying drones is prohibited in certain areas of the UAE without prior approval from local authorities and may result in arrest and imprisonment.

Arrest and imprisonment

Verified Jul 1, 2026

Photographing UAE military facilities, sensitive civilian sites, airports, some beaches, diplomatic missions, or people without consent may bring arrest, detention, and/or prosecution; GPS mapping without authority coordination carries the same risk.

Arrest, detention, and/or prosecution

Verified Jul 1, 2026

Expect WhatsApp and FaceTime voice and video calls to be blocked in the UAE - neither appears on TDRA's list of approved apps, and only licensed operators (Etisalat and du) may carry internet calls. Use an approved app instead: BOTIM, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, Cisco Webex and Slack are all cleared. WhatsApp texting and photo sharing still work; it is only the calling feature that is restricted.

TDRA states that a user of unlicensed VoIP "may be committing a criminal offence", but no specific penalty for an individual traveller is stated on the pages read. The documented practical consequence is technical, not punitive: licensed operators are obliged to block the non-compliant traffic. THE AED 500,000-2,000,000 FINE UNDER ARTICLE 10 OF THE CYBERCRIME LAW DOES NOT ATTACH TO THIS CONDUCT - that article is a different offence requiring intent to commit or conceal a crime, and must not be borrowed into this row.

Verified Aug 29, 2026

Same-sex sexual relations and cross-dressing remain illegal in the UAE, though the US Embassy reports no recent arrests or prosecutions.

Remain criminal offenses under UAE law.

Verified Jul 1, 2026

Public-decency laws are far stricter than in the US; public displays of affection or immodesty can bring penalties, and sexual relations outside marriage are illegal.

Arrest, fines, and/or deportation; lengthy jail sentences reported

Verified Jul 1, 2026

You can be arrested, fined, and/or deported for rude gestures, swearing, touching someone without permission, or derogatory statements about the UAE, royal families, or government — including on social media.

Arrest, fines, and/or deportation

Verified Jul 1, 2026