Private investigator licensing in United Arab Emirates
Private investigation is restricted in United Arab Emirates.
The UAE has no licensing regime for private investigators, and no trade licence is issued for a business whose sole activity is private investigation. UAE lawyers advise that hiring a private investigator is illegal, and surveillance, recording or photographing people without consent is a criminal offence under the privacy provisions of the Penal Code and the Cybercrime Law. In practice, only corporate due-diligence and consultancy work by firms licensed for other activities is tolerated, and evidence of crimes must be gathered by the police.
—
—
—
—
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in United Arab Emirates.
Rules in the field
Recording conversations
All-party consent
Everyone in the conversation must agree before you record it.
GPS trackers
Tracking a person or collecting their location without consent risks prosecution under the privacy and cybercrime laws
Sources
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in United Arab Emirates
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in United Arab Emirates?+
Private investigation is restricted in United Arab Emirates. The UAE has no licensing regime for private investigators, and no trade licence is issued for a business whose sole activity is private investigation. UAE lawyers advise that hiring a private investigator is illegal, and surveillance, recording or photographing people without consent is a criminal offence under the privacy provisions of the Penal Code and the Cybercrime Law. In practice, only corporate due-diligence and consultancy work by firms licensed for other activities is tolerated, and evidence of crimes must be gathered by the police.
Can a private investigator record phone calls in United Arab Emirates?+
United Arab Emirates requires everyone's consent: all parties must agree before a conversation is recorded.
Investigator events in United Arab Emirates
No upcoming events listed in United Arab Emirates right now. Know of one? Submit it free.
Meet investigators in United Arab Emirates
Join Investigator Events free to see who's going to the conferences and AGMs near you.
Join free