Does a foreigner convicted of money laundering get deported from the UAE?
Yes, in serious cases deportation is mandatory. Where a foreigner is given a custodial sentence for the crime of money laundering or any of the felonies set out in the 2025 AML Law, the judgment must include an order for their deportation from the State. The court has no discretion to omit it in those circumstances.
For lesser offences under the law that are classified as misdemeanours and carry a custodial penalty, the court has discretion. It may order deportation in addition to the custodial penalty, or impose deportation in place of it.
This reflects the UAE’s firm stance on financial crime committed by non-citizens. For compliance officers, it underlines why staff training should make clear that AML breaches are not administrative formalities but conduct that can end a person’s ability to live and work in the country. The deportation measure applies on top of imprisonment, fines, and any confiscation the court orders.
Legal Reference (UAE):
· Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 36 requires deportation of a foreigner sentenced to a custodial penalty for money laundering or related felonies
For more details, consult the full text of Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.