Extradition from Dubai to the US

As of December 2025, there is no formal bilateral extradition treaty between the UAE and the USA. However, Dubai does extradite to the US based on the 2022 Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and the principle of reciprocity. In 2026, cooperation on financial and cyber crimes remains a high priority for both jurisdictions.

Every year, more and more expatriates are exploring their options for moving to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This interest is driven by the tax-free salaries, year-round warm weather, and a luxurious lifestyle that UAE residents enjoy. However, migrants must understand the complex UAE’s extradition law before moving to Dubai.

Unfortunately, the UAE authorities are increasingly abusing international arrest warrants for political persecution or punishment of individuals with outstanding debts. Therefore, if you or your loved ones are under the threat of extradition, it’s crucial to secure qualified legal support as soon as possible. But does Dubai have an extradition treaty with the US? Here’s a comprehensive look.

Extradition from Dubai to the US covers the following categories for the following categories of crimes:

In general, UAE extradition law applies only to criminal matters that are punishable by imprisonment for at least one year (a key condition of the extradition treaty). However, despite having bilateral extradition agreements, all cases are considered on an individual basis.

Difficulties may arise due to differences in legal systems. The UAE extradition law is based on a mixed legal framework with elements of Sharia, while the US operates under the Anglo-American common law system. This can complicate the interpretation of some provisions and laws.

At present, Dubai extradition proceedings are carried out strictly within the framework of international law and applicable bilateral or multilateral protocols. The authorities of the United Arab Emirates demonstrate an increasing willingness to cooperate in cases involving financial crimes, fraud, and money laundering, which has significantly altered the region’s legal perception.

In the past, the UAE was often viewed as a jurisdiction offering protection from prosecution by U.S. authorities. However, recent enforcement practice indicates the opposite. Modern Dubai–U.S. extradition mechanisms may involve not only the surrender of individuals, but also asset freezing and financial monitoring, often initiated through INTERPOL channels.

Despite the expansion of the UAE’s international cooperation network, there are still several states with which no formal extradition treaties are in force. Cooperation with these jurisdictions is typically based on reciprocity, diplomatic assurances, or ad hoc negotiations, rather than automatic legal obligations. Analyzing such cases requires a deep understanding of international private law and cross-border criminal procedure.

Examples include:

The answer depends on the specific circumstances of the case and the seriousness of the alleged offense. Even where cooperation exists, extradition remains a complex legal process and is subject to the principle of dual criminality.

This principle requires that the alleged conduct be recognized as a criminal offense under the laws of both jurisdictions. Purely administrative or civil tax violations, therefore, may not automatically meet the threshold for extradition.

The United Arab Emirates actively participates in international legal cooperation. The UAE has entered into a number of bilateral agreements with other states and also collaborates based on reciprocity. Extradition procedures are governed both by the UAE’s domestic legislation and by international treaties.

There is no comprehensive bilateral extradition treaty between the UAE and the U.S. in the classical sense. This significantly complicates the transfer of suspects between the two jurisdictions

In practice, extradition requests may still be initiated through mutual legal assistance mechanisms, diplomatic channels, or INTERPOL cooperation, but each case is assessed individually. U.S. authorities may refuse extradition requests due to political considerations, procedural deficiencies, insufficient evidence, or concerns related to due process and human rights protections.

As a result, extradition from Dubai to the United States is legally possible but far from automatic, and often involves parallel proceedings such as asset freezing or financial investigations.

Does Dubai have an extradition treaty with Canada? There is no direct bilateral extradition treaty between the UAE and Canada; however, Canada-UAE extradition is possible based on the principle of reciprocity and subject to certain conditions. The procedures are grounded in Canada’s federal Extradition Act and the UAE’s domestic legislation, in particular Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 on extradition.

Canada may initiate an extradition request through diplomatic channels and submit to the UAE the official documentation confirming the existence of criminal prosecution or a conviction. The request must be well-founded and include evidence of the offence, a description of the facts, relevant legal provisions, and documents verifying the identity of the accused.

The UAE court examines the request and verifies the existence of dual criminality (i.e., the act must be recognised as a criminal offence both in Canada and in Dubai). Other factors include the existence of an arrest warrant, the seriousness of the offence, the absence of political motivation, and respect for human rights. Commonly considered cases include money laundering, fraud, tax evasion, and financial offences.

Does Dubai have an extradition treaty with the UK? An official extradition treaty exists between the UAE and the United Kingdom to facilitate international judicial cooperation. This formal agreement was signed in December 2006 and came into force in 2008. It governs the transfer of accused persons between the two countries and establishes uniform procedures and legal criteria.

This legally binding agreement applies to offences punishable by at least one year of imprisonment and includes economic crimes, money laundering, bribery, cybercrime, violent offences, and terrorism. So, how can you be extradited from Dubai to the UK?

To initiate extradition, the British authorities must submit a formal request via diplomatic channels, providing a detailed statement of charges, evidence of guilt or a court judgment, identification documents, and confirmation of the existence of an arrest warrant.

The UAE courts review the request in light of dual criminality, the exclusion of political offences, the procedural grounds for extradition, and assurances of humane treatment and a fair trial. The court may refuse extradition if the individual is a UAE citizen or if the case is of a political nature. Since the treaty’s implementation, the number of extraditions under this agreement has increased, particularly in cases involving investment and financial disputes.

Does Dubai have an extradition treaty with Australia? An official extradition treaty between the UAE and Australia was signed on 27 July 2009 and entered into force in 2012. The agreement facilitates mutual judicial cooperation for a wide range of offences, including tax evasion, money laundering, corruption, drug-related crimes, and serious offences against persons and property.

Extradition is subject to the following conditions: the offence must be punishable under the laws of both jurisdictions, the minimum sentence must be at least one year of imprisonment, and the request must not concern military or political offences.

The legal process involves submission of an official request via the Ministry of Justice, preliminary judicial review in the relevant emirate, a court ruling on the admissibility of extradition, and final approval by the executive authority (the Minister of Justice or the Attorney General).

One of the most common questions from individuals facing legal challenges is: “Can you be extradited from Dubai?”. However, the UAE is not a non-extradition country, and it has several formal extradition agreements with countries worldwide. As such, it actively cooperates with the United States to combat transnational crime.

While extradition from Dubai to the US is possible, it is not guaranteed for every request. The burden of proof lies with the requesting state. An experienced lawyer can argue against extradition based on human rights violations, procedural errors in the arrest warrant, or if the alleged act is not recognized as a crime under UAE law. Understanding these nuances is vital for anyone concerned about their legal status in the Emirates.

An extradition request must comply with the principle of dual criminality. This means that the action or inaction for which the individual is being pursued must be criminally punishable in both the United States and the UAE, with a minimum sentence of no less than 1 year of imprisonment.

Extradition will not be granted if the requested person has already been convicted or acquitted of the same crime in the requesting country. Additionally, extradition is not possible for crimes of a political nature, even when there are multilateral agreements.

If the requesting country has the death penalty as a punishment for a crime, the jurisdiction may require assurances that this form of punishment will not be applied. Both the UAE and the USA may refuse to extradite their own citizens, but are obligated to prosecute them under their domestic laws for crimes committed abroad.

An extradition order will not be granted if there is reason to believe that the person is being persecuted because of their race, religion, nationality, political beliefs, or membership in a particular social group.

Extradition is a legal procedure for transferring an individual accused or convicted of a crime from one country to another to face justice or serve their sentence.

The competent law enforcement agencies of the requesting country (the USA or the UAE) determine that the person being sought is located in another country. An official request is sent through diplomatic channels, usually through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the embassy.

An extradition request must include:

The requesting country can submit a request for the temporary arrest of an individual before filing an official extradition request. The temporary arrest typically does not exceed 60 days. If the official request is not received within this period, the individual may be released.

The competent authorities analyze the extradition request for compliance with the terms of the extradition treaty and national legislation. Evaluation criteria include the presence of dual criminality, absence of political motives for persecution, adherence to human rights, and guarantees of a fair trial.

The court assesses the legality and justification of the request at a preliminary hearing. If the court decides that all conditions are met, it recommends extradition. The court may reject the extradition request if there are grounds for refusal.

Administrative bodies make the final decision on extradition, taking into account the court’s recommendations and international obligations. The individual is handed over to representatives of the requesting state for further legal proceedings or to serve their sentence.

Every individual has the right to qualified legal counsel from the moment of arrest or notification of the commencement of extradition proceedings. Communication with a lawyer must be confidential and cannot be disclosed without the client’s consent.

The individual must be immediately informed of the reasons for their detention and the crimes they are accused of. They have the right to receive copies of extradition requests and related materials. Additionally, every suspect has the right to a fair trial. According to the presumption of innocence, an individual is considered innocent until proven guilty in court.

Every individual has the right to appeal a court’s decision to higher authorities. During the period of the appeal’s consideration, extradition is usually suspended.

Countries can also refuse to extradite individuals when there’s a risk of torture or inhumane treatment. If there is a risk of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political beliefs, or membership in a particular social group, extradition may be denied.

If even one of these rights was violated, your lawyer might try to challenge the legality of the extradition. Another possible legal defense is to present the court with evidence and an alibi that refutes the charges.

It’s also worth checking whether the statute of limitations for criminal liability or for the execution of the sentence has expired. This criterion is also a legal basis for challenging the legality of an extradition request.

An appeal must be filed within the timeframe established by law after the court’s decision is issued. The complaint must contain clear grounds for reviewing the decision. The appeal is considered by a higher court, which examines the legality and justification of the initial decision. During the consideration of the appeal, the enforcement of the extradition decision is usually suspended.

Sometimes, it’s possible to file an appeal with the highest judicial authority. If fundamental rights and freedoms are violated, one can turn to international judicial bodies (for example, the European Court of Human Rights).

Extradition has severe legal consequences, ranging from travel restrictions to prolonged detention and legal proceedings. This creates significant barriers to professional and personal life. As part of the investigation, accounts or assets may be frozen. The extradition process and its associated consequences can lead to the termination of employment contracts. Foreign nationals might find themselves under investigation or in custody in another country, making it difficult to return home or continue working.

Company leaders in the UAE or the US might face extradition requests in cases of accusations of corporate responsibility or business disputes. Charges against management or key company employees can impact its reputation, investor trust, and partner confidence. This effect on the business’s public image could lead to decreased customer trust and loss of contracts.

Additionally, the extradition process and associated legal proceedings require significant financial investments.

International law facilitates coordination between states in investigating crimes and holding the guilty accountable, especially in cases of transnational crime.

Several international treaties and extradition agreements form the basis for the transfer of individuals between countries. They regulate the procedure for submitting requests, the obligations of parties when considering requests, timelines, and requirements for extradition. These treaties help avoid disputes between countries by establishing clear rules.

International extradition treaties come in two types:

Formal extradition treaties require countries to adhere to universal standards regarding human rights and extradition procedures. This ensures that the extradition process will be fair and lawful.

If you or your loved ones are facing extradition from the United States or the UAE, it’s crucial to secure qualified legal support as soon as possible. An attorney will conduct a detailed analysis of the case circumstances, assess the risks, and evaluate possible ways to protect your interests.

An experienced professional will help gather the necessary documents and evidence that can influence the decision on extradition. Your lawyer will represent you at all stages of the legal proceedings, challenging the grounds for extradition. Additionally, a lawyer effectively communicates with officials from both countries and helps mitigate the consequences or prevent extradition.

If the extradition does indeed take place, your lawyer will continue to defend your interests in the destination country. The specialist will prepare appeals and cassations to challenge the verdict and review the court decision.

Our team has extensive experience in matters related to extradition between the USA and the UAE. We understand the nuances of both American and Emirati legislation. Our specialists are fluent in multiple languages, which facilitates communication with clients, government authorities, and international bodies.

Reach out to our extradition attorneys right now to get an initial consultation and discuss the next steps to protect your interests. To do this, you can fill out a brief online form right on the website, leave your contact information, and a representative of our legal team. They will contact you during business hours. If you would like to detail your request in writing, you can send an email. All popular messengers are also available for communication. Our specialists are always available from Monday to Friday, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

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