Countries with no extradition treaty with the UAE

Each year, an increasing number of expatriates are drawn to the united arab emirates (UAE) due to its tax-free income, pleasant year-round climate, and luxurious living standards. While the Emirates are often perceived as a relatively peaceful and moderate Islamic nation, there are occasional reports of racism and political persecution within the country, especially in the context of a treaty with the United States.

Although the United Arab Emirates lacks extradition treaties with the United States, Canada, the UK, and EU nations, it retains the authority to handle extradition requests through diplomatic relations on a case-by-case basis, exercising discretion in each situation.

The extradition process refers to the legal procedure through which a person accused or convicted of a crime is transferred from one country to another to face criminal charges or serve a sentence. This process plays a crucial role in fostering international cooperation to combat crime with other countries, ensuring that individuals cannot escape justice by crossing borders.

The UAE is an active participant in global extradition matters and efforts, particularly through diplomatic relations, international extradition treaties, and bilateral extradition agreements with other countries , fostering international cooperation and following both its own laws and international treaties. to enhance international law enforcement. The main law governing extradition in the UAE is Federal Law No. 39 of 2006, titled “International Judicial Assistance in Criminal Matters.”

Extradition requests can be submitted through diplomatic channels as part of the official extradition process between two non-extradition countries or by utilizing Interpol’s network. If the request meets the necessary criteria, as per the formal extradition agreements, including any treaty with the United States, UAE authorities can detain the individual while awaiting a decision based on diplomatic relations.

The court assesses whether the request is lawful and justifiable, following the established legal procedures and ensuring it aligns with the required extradition conditions. A final decision is made by the appropriate authorities on whether the extradition will be granted. If approved, the individual is handed over to the requesting country in accordance with the established procedures.

In the context of globalization, when individuals and capital easily cross state borders, effective crime fighting requires close cooperation between non extradition countries and other nations. One of the most important mechanisms of such cooperation is extradition between extradition countries — the process by which a state hands over a suspected or convicted person to another state for criminal prosecution or execution of a court sentence.

Extradition treaties, unlike non extradition treaties, are bilateral or multilateral agreements between extradition countries that establish the legal grounds and conditions for the surrender of individuals accused or convicted of criminal offenses. Such treaties specify the obligations of each country regarding the approval or rejection of extradition requests, as well as the procedures that must be followed when processing and reviewing such requests.

Without the presence of extradition treaties, a criminal who has fled to the territory of a foreign state could remain out of reach of national law enforcement agencies, as some countries may refuse extradition. Through extradition, states jointly counteract situations where a criminal “escapes abroad.”

Such agreements ensure a transparent and regulated procedure for issuance between the UAE and other countries . An extradition request undergoes verification by both the requested and the requesting countries (courts, prosecutor’s offices, Ministries of Justice). This provides guarantees that unlawful methods of prosecution, which may violate human rights, will not be applied to the individual.

Often, extradition treaties with several countries and other nations contain the following provisions:

The united arab emirates uae is one of the leading countries in the Middle East, actively cooperating with other states in the field of law and order, including through international extradition treaties with the united arab emirates, even in the absence of an official extradition treaty with some nations. Extradition to the UAE is regulated by both domestic legislation and many international agreements.

Although the Constitution of the UAE does not directly contain a detailed mechanism for a formal treaty of extradition, it establishes general principles of law and the powers of federal authorities, which are granted the right to conclude international treaties under the legal process . These constitutional provisions create the basis for all subsequent federal laws regulating issues of extradition, cooperation in criminal matters, and the importance of human rights.

One of the most important documents indirectly affecting extradition is the Federal Law on Criminal Procedure of the UAE, which includes considerations on human rights abuses and financial crimes .

Detailed rules of extradition and other aspects of criminal legal assistance are outlined in the UAE Federal Law on international judicial cooperation and related legal agreements , particularly through international law enforcement and diplomatic relations. It may have different numbers and editions (depending on updates). One of the current acts is Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 on Mutual Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters.

In addition to domestic laws, the UAE actively enters into bilateral extradition agreements and is continuously working to establish extradition treaties with non-extradition countries to bolster its legal framework for its own citizens. The country is also a party to several multilateral conventions that provide mechanisms for information exchange and the extradition of accused individuals within the framework of international cooperation.

A special place is occupied by regional treaties, including any treaty with the United Nations, as well as non extradition treaties that outline specific agreement .

Most often, extradition procedures in the UAE involve cases of fraud, money laundering, and other criminal activities, requiring cooperation among many countries involved. The key institutions involved in extradition matters are the Ministry of Justice, the UAE Public Prosecution, and the judiciary, which makes the final decisions on extradition. In case of difficulties with extradition, it is strongly recommended to seek assistance from lawyers experienced in the UAE legal system and international criminal law, particularly regarding issues related to the national security agency.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) traditionally places great importance on international cooperation in the field of law enforcement and criminal justice, which is often facilitated through diplomatic ties with extradition countries.

As of 2025, the UAE has a number of similar agreements with various extradition countries. such countries include: Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Australia, Algeria, Bahrain, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Kazakhstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Tunisia.

In addition to these bilateral agreements, the UAE has signed multilateral conventions, such as the Riyadh Arab Convention on Judicial Cooperation (1983), which includes various countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Middle East, including Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia.

Countries Without Extradition Agreements with the UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) does not have formal extradition agreements with several non-extradition countries across the globe. such countries on this list include:

While this list highlights many non-extradition countries with the UAE without formal treaties, it is important to note that the lack of a formal agreement does not necessarily mean that extradition is impossible. In some cases, the UAE has specific arrangements with certain nations through diplomatic ties that facilitate extradition, even in the absence of such agreements.

For instance, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India have a memorandum of understanding in place that facilitates cooperation in the extradition of criminals, even without a formal extradition treaty. Similarly, the UAE and Pakistan often rely on diplomatic channels and the principle of reciprocity to handle extradition requests, particularly in cases involving serious offenses.

Some nations opt not to establish extradition agreements with others to maintain their sovereignty and avoid external influence. Extradition is often perceived as a form of external interference, and several countries may refuse extradition due to fears about losing control over their legal processes. Additionally, some countries resist extradition to protect their political stances or national interests.

The absence of an extradition treaty can also affect the diplomatic relationship between two countries. To avoid potential tensions or conflicting interests, some nations may refuse extradition and choose to stay neutral and refrain from entering into such agreements.

The legal system in the UAE, which incorporates Sharia law, differs significantly from the legal frameworks of certain countries, leading to hesitance in engaging in extradition agreements, particularly concerning their own citizens. As a result, countries with legal systems that conflict with the UAE’s are often hesitant to engage in extradition agreements to prevent the risk of individuals being subjected to legal proceedings they deem unfair.

Furthermore, many countries refuse to participate in extradition when the requesting country enforces the death penalty, particularly for their own citizens. Since the United Arab Emirates (UAE) imposes capital punishment for certain crimes, this can be a key reason why other countries decline to sign extradition agreements.

Unfortunately, the authorities of the UAE are increasingly abusing international arrest warrants for political persecution or punishing individuals with outstanding debts. Therefore, if you or your loved ones face extradition, particularly concerning human rights violations, it is extremely important to secure qualified legal support as soon as possible.

The extradition treaty between the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America, one of the few formal extradition treaties in the region, was signed on June 3, 1996, and came into force on July 1, 1999. This agreement is an important tool for international judicial cooperation in combating crime.

The law on extradition provides simplified mechanisms for the transfer of individuals to minimize bureaucratic delays and avoid any potential legal consequences. This is especially important in cases involving serious crimes to avoid severe legal consequences.

Extradition between the UAE and the USA is provided for the following categories of crimes: murder and causing serious bodily harm, kidnapping, sexual and labor exploitation, financing terrorism, planning and carrying out terrorist acts, financial crimes, human rights abuses, money laundering, bribery, embezzlement of state funds, illegal drug trafficking, cybercrimes. The UAE extradition law, which emphasizes extradition cooperation, applies only to criminal cases punishable by imprisonment for a term of at least one year.

However, despite the existence of bilateral extradition treaties with a few countries, all cases are considered on a case-by-case basis. Difficulties may arise due to differences in legal systems. The legislation of the UAE is based on a mixed legal system with elements of Sharia, while in the USA, the Anglo-American common law system is in effect. This may complicate the interpretation of certain provisions and laws.

The extradition request must comply with the principle of dual criminality. This means that the act or omission for which the person is being prosecuted must be punishable under criminal law in both the USA and the UAE, with a minimum penalty of at least 1 year of imprisonment.

Extradition will not be carried out if the requested person has already been convicted or acquitted for a similar crime in the requesting country. Furthermore, extradition is impossible in cases of political crimes, even in the presence of multilateral agreements.

Both the UAE and the USA may refuse to extradite their own citizens for the alleged crime but are obligated to prosecute them under the scrutiny of their national security agency in accordance with their domestic laws for crimes committed abroad.

As of today, there is no officially ratified extradition treaty between the UAE and Germany. In cases of extradition requests or assistance in criminal matters, the parties rely on multilateral conventions, mutual legal assistance agreements, and national laws.

The UAE has its legislative framework on issues of international cooperation in criminal matters and also participates in regional Arab agreements; however, it does not have an official extradition treaty or non-extradition treaties. Germany is not part of the Middle East structures, so there are no direct regional instruments for interaction.

In the absence of an official bilateral extradition treaty, extradition proceedings from the UAE to Germany (or vice versa) are possible under several scenarios. Germany can initiate an international arrest warrant or Red Notice in Interpol. If a person is detained in the UAE based on such a notice, local law enforcement authorities notify Germany and verify whether there is a legal basis for the transfer, taking into account the countries involved in the extradition request.

Germany can also send an Ad hoc request for extradition (usually through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice). The UAE reviews the request based on its domestic legislation and principles of reciprocity, often on a case-by-case basis. Provisions on international legal assistance in criminal matters are usually applied.

If a person has violated the immigration laws of the UAE, the authorities may deport them to Germany (if they are a citizen of the FRG or have permanent residency there) without a formal decision on “extradition.” Such a procedure, however, is not equivalent to classical extradition but in some cases serves a similar function.

Without a direct agreement, each case is considered on an individual basis, taking into account the countries involved . The procedure may take from several months to a year or more, depending on the complexity of the case, the volume of evidence, and potential disputes regarding the legality of issuance.

A bilateral extradition treaty between the UAE and Australia was signed back in 2007, which is one of the few formal bilateral extradition agreements in the region but it came into effect in 2010. This agreement regulates the procedure for transferring accused or convicted individuals between the two countries, promotes cooperation in combating transnational crime, and ensures justice. For a crime to be considered grounds for extradition, it must be punishable by imprisonment for at least 1 year in both countries.

According to the agreement, the following crimes are subject to extradition to other nations: murder, causing grievous bodily harm, robbery, assault, drug trafficking, human trafficking and illegal migration, terrorism and financing of terrorist organizations, money laundering, corruption, fraud, large-scale tax evasion, illegal arms trade, hacking attacks, sexual and labor exploitation.

The agreement allows the UAE and Australia to effectively cooperate in combating crimes that cross national borders with other nations involved. The document ensures that criminals will not be able to evade justice by hiding in another country.

Following the principle of specialization, the extradited person may only be held accountable for the crime specified in the request, which may vary under non-extradition treaties. Prosecution for other crimes requires separate authorization.

A person cannot be extradited if they have already been convicted or acquitted for the same crime in the requesting or any other country. The principle of non bis in idem guarantees that a person will not be tried again for the same act. Extradition is also impossible if the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution or enforcement of punishment for the crime has expired in one of the countries.

Extradition is impossible if the extradition proceedings reveal certain disqualifying factors that may lead either party to refuse extradition.

Extradition is also not permitted for crimes of a political nature (participation in rallies, protests, criticism of the government, etc.). Exceptions include terrorist acts or crimes against humanity, even if they are connected to criminal activity. If there are grounds to believe that a person will be persecuted based on race, religion, nationality, or political beliefs in certain countries , extradition is not carried out.

Sanjay Shah – a British financier accused of participating in a large-scale “Cum-Ex” scheme related to dividend tax refunds. According to the investigation, this scheme resulted in billion-dollar losses for several European countries, primarily Germany and Denmark.

The Shah lived in Dubai for a long time, where he continued to engage in financial activities. Denmark sent a request for extradition, substantiating it with evidence of the Shah’s involvement in fraud. In 2023, UAE authorities detained the financier. The judicial authorities of the UAE began reviewing the issue of extradition.

Raymond Abbas, better known on social media as Hushpuppi, became a symbol of the “glamorous life” on Instagram: he posted photos of luxury cars and clothing, showcasing great wealth. However, American and other law enforcement agencies suspected that the basis of his fortune was fraudulent schemes on the internet.

In 2020, Hushpuppi was detained in Dubai as part of a major operation by the UAE and the FBI to combat online fraud. During searches, large amounts of cash and digital devices containing evidence of criminal activity were seized. After investigative actions in the UAE, Abbas was extradited to the United States for further legal proceedings.

Arif Naqvi is the founder of what was once the largest private equity fund in the region, Abraaj Group, headquartered in Dubai. In 2019, he was accused of fraud and misappropriation of the fund’s investors’ money.

The scandal erupted when major shareholders and creditors demanded explanations regarding the disappearance of millions of dollars. The UAE prosecutor’s office conducted an investigation, while in the United States, a parallel case was initiated concerning violations of securities laws and fraud. Naki was arrested in London at the request of the United States, which sought his extradition. At the same time, UAE authorities were also conducting their own investigation.

If you or a family member is facing potential extradition in Dubai or any other Emirate, it is vital to consult with a skilled attorney as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer will evaluate the legal basis for the extradition request and determine whether it aligns with both international law and UAE regulations.

It is important to carefully examine the risks involved in extradition and identify any legal reasons that could be used to oppose the request, which could help avoid legal consequences. These reasons could include the political nature of the alleged crime, the risk of torture or inhumane treatment, or concerns about receiving a fair trial in the requesting country.

A critical part of challenging an extradition involves compiling evidence and documents to substantiate your case, especially if human rights violations are a concern. Once this evidence is gathered, your lawyer will file an objection to the extradition in court. The court will review the merits of the case and decide whether the extradition request is justified.

If the court rules in favor of the extradition, there may still be an opportunity to appeal the decision and avoid potential legal consequences.

Get in touch with our legal team for an initial consultation to understand your options and how we can help safeguard your rights.