Can a debtor be stopped from leaving the UAE over an unpaid debt?

In the UAE, a travel ban can in some circumstances be sought in connection with a debt, but it is a court-related measure — not something a private collector can impose. A creditor may apply to the court, typically in the context of proceedings or enforcement, and the court decides whether a ban is justified based on the case before it. A collection agency phoning you cannot itself ban you from travelling; only a competent authority acting on a court process can. The availability and conditions of such measures depend on the type of debt, the stage of the case, and the court involved, and the rules have evolved over time, so the current position should be confirmed rather than assumed. If you are worried, the constructive step is to address the underlying debt — negotiate a plan, or, if you genuinely cannot pay, explore the individual insolvency route. A lawyer can check whether any order exists and how to lift it. You can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI. See the UAE Government justice portal.