Iran/United Arab Emirates (UAE): Illegal exit via boat or ferry from Bandar Abbas, Iran to Dubai, UAE; enforcement practices against illegal entry into Dubai, UAE
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 16 March 2000 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ZZZ33983.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iran/United Arab Emirates (UAE): Illegal exit via boat or ferry from Bandar Abbas, Iran to Dubai, UAE; enforcement practices against illegal entry into Dubai, UAE, 16 March 2000, ZZZ33983.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad811b.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
No information regarding illegal exit from Bandar Abbas, Iran via boat or ferry to Dubai, UAE could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
Information relating to enforcement practices against illegal entry into the UAE is scarce among sources consulted by the Research Directorate. In December 1997, the UAE increased patrols of "border and coast guard units" in its territorial waters, while continuing to conduct raids to detain foreigners residing illegally in the country (The Daily Star 3 Dec.1997). Immigration Director Hader Al-Muhairi stated that immigration violations had been reduced by 80 per cent through the naval patrols and raids (ibid.).
In May 1999, a Director of the Criminal Investigation Section once again announced that authorities would "intensify inspections nation-wide and tighten border checkpoints to thwart illegal immigrants" (Khaleej Times 12 May 1999). He noted that "more than 90 per cent of illegal immigrants enter by sea" (ibid.). Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported that the Frontier and Coast Guards arrested and detained 13 people on 7 December 1999 and 30 people on 11 December 1999 for attempting illegal entry into the country. On 1 March 2000 border guards arrested and detained 62 foreigners attempting to enter the UAE illegally (ArabicNews). UAE detentions for illegal immigrants in 1998 and 1999 were 22,000 and 51,000 respectively (The Gazette 6 Feb.2000).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
ArabicNews. 1 March 2000. "62 Arrested Sneaking into UAE."
The Gazette [Montreal]. 6 February 2000. Final Edition. "U.A.E. Detentions Soar." (NEXIS)
The Daily Star [Bangladesh]. 3 December 1997. "UAE Swoop on Immigration: Bangladeshis Held."
Emirates News Agency (WAM) [Abu Dhabi]. 7 December 1999. "Infiltrators."
_____. 11 December 1999. "Infiltrators."
Khaleej Times [Dubai]. 12 May 1999. "Illegal Immigrants a Growing Threat to National Security."
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB Databases
World News Connection (WNC)
Internet sites including
Dubai Tourism
Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (Washington)
Iran News
Iran Tourism
Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency (IRNA)
Presidency of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Tehran Globe
Tehran Times
UAE INTERACT
United Arab Emirates
United States Department of State
World Ports
Search engines including
