Guide · updated 16.10.2026 · 9 min read · Lucent Legal team

Prisoner pardons in the UAE: holiday releases and how to request clemency

Key points

Pardon decrees come out before Ramadan, Eid Al Adha and National Day (Eid Al Etihad, 2 December). WAM, the state news agency, publishes them.
In 2026 the UAE President released 1,440 prisoners for Ramadan (18 February) and 956 before Eid Al Adha (20 May). The Ruler of Dubai released 1,856 and 836 on the same occasions.
In these decrees the President also undertakes to settle the financial obligations arising from the released prisoners' sentences, according to WAM.
The British consulate says lists usually include prisoners who have served half their sentence and have no disciplinary record. The prison nominates candidates, a committee approves them, then the Ruler's Court.
A prisoner or relatives can file a clemency request: one A4 page, in Arabic, addressed to the Director of the Ruler's Court in the emirate where the case was heard.
A pardon decree doesn't cancel deportation or other measures unless the decree says so (Art. 150 of Law No. 31/2021).

Several times a year the UAE President and the Rulers of the emirates sign decrees releasing prisoners: before Ramadan, Eid Al Adha and National Day. In 2026 such decrees came out in February and May. A pardon is the Ruler's decision, not a prisoner's right. Nobody can secure a place on the list in advance, but a prisoner or family can file a clemency request and avoid hurting their chances. This isn't the visa amnesty: for overstay fines, see UAE visa amnesty.

Types of pardon

Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 sets out three mechanisms.

Type	Who decides	Effect	Article
General pardon (amnesty)	Granted by law	The offence is treated as never committed, the judgment and all penalties fall away; penalties already served stay served	148
Special pardon	Granted by decree	Remits all or part of the penalty or replaces it with a lighter one; ancillary penalties and measures stay unless the decree says otherwise	150–151
Judicial pardon	The judge, at sentencing	Excuses a misdemeanour defendant: a young first offender, a mutual fight or insult, a minor assault where the victim waived the claim	102, 152

Article 150 refers to penalties imposed by a federal court. WAM reports Dubai releases under the Ruler of Dubai's orders separately: Dubai Public Prosecution and Dubai Police carry them out after the order.

A pardon doesn't affect the rights of the victim or third parties (Art. 153). It doesn't cancel a civil claim or a debt owed to a private person.

Decrees in 2025 and 2026

Figures from WAM and the Dubai Media Office:

Date	Occasion	UAE President	Ruler of Dubai
27 February 2025	Ramadan	1,295	1,518
27 November 2025	National Day (Eid Al Etihad)	2,937	—
18 February 2026	Ramadan	1,440	1,856
20–21 May 2026	Eid Al Adha	956	836

A dash in the table means we didn't check for a Dubai decree on that date, not that none was issued.

The President's National Day decrees came out in late November in 2020, 2021 and 2025. Nobody announces the date of the next one in advance.

Who makes the list

The authorities don't publish selection criteria. The British consulate describes the practice:

prisoners usually need to have served half their sentence;
they need a "model" record with no disciplinary reports;
recent amnesties included some prisoners convicted of possessing small amounts of drugs before they reached half their sentence, with no guarantee this will repeat;
the prison nominates candidates, a selection committee approves them, then the Ruler's Court;
embassies can't nominate anyone and only learn the list once it's published; a nominated prisoner is usually the first to know.

The President's decrees from 2024 to 2026 say he will cover the financial obligations of those released. WAM's reports on the Dubai Ruler's decrees don't include that line. Ask a lawyer whether a fine or a private debt gets cleared in a specific case.

How to request clemency yourself

The British consulate sets out this procedure:

You can apply at any time after the first-instance verdict. Most people wait until their appeals are finished.
Address the letter to the Director of the Ruler's Court in the emirate where the case was heard. Depending on the conviction, it can go to a specific sheikh.
Keep it to one A4 page, translated into Arabic, with the reasons for granting clemency.
Several letters can go in, from the prisoner and from relatives. Submit them together.
A reply doesn't always come. You or your lawyer will need to follow up.

People use the same route to ask for deportation or an entry ban to be lifted after release. Expect to wait months.

We found no official description of whether the Russian consulate forwards such letters for its citizens. Ask the consular section in Dubai.

Other ways a sentence gets shorter

Time on remand counts towards the sentence (British consulate).
Remission for good behaviour. According to the British consulate, a month of the sentence may count as 23 days. This doesn't apply to alcohol, rape or murder cases. The prison decides, and lawyers have no say.
Settlement with the victim, where the law allows it, suspends enforcement of the sentence even after it becomes final (Art. 357 of Law No. 38/2022). See closing a criminal case.
Electronic monitoring in place of prison is possible under Law No. 38/2022 by court decision. Ask a lawyer whether it fits your case.

What a pardon doesn't fix

Deportation. It's a measure, not a penalty (Art. 111 of Law No. 31/2021), and a pardon doesn't remove it unless the decree says so (Art. 150). See deportation from the UAE.
The victim's rights. Civil claims and compensation remain (Art. 153).
Other cases. A second case or a debt-related travel ban needs separate handling. Check with travel bans in the UAE.

When you need a lawyer

You need a clemency request in Arabic, addressed to the right office.
The prisoner wasn't on the list, though the family believes they qualify.
After release, deportation, an entry ban or an unpaid fine remains.
Settling with the victim could suspend the sentence.

Lucent Legal is a management consultancy (DET licence No. 1192929). We review the judgment and prepare the clemency request and documents for the family. At the prosecution and in court, a partner advocate licensed in the UAE represents the prisoner. The Ruler decides on a pardon, so nobody can promise the result. More topics in UAE criminal law.

FAQ

When does the UAE release prisoners for holidays?

Decrees have come out before Ramadan, before Eid Al Adha and in late November before National Day. In 2026: 18 February and 20–21 May. The date isn't announced in advance.

How much of a sentence must be served to qualify for a pardon?

There's no official threshold. The British consulate says prisoners usually need to have served half the sentence with no disciplinary reports.

Can a prisoner apply for clemency?

Yes. One A4 page in Arabic, addressed to the Director of the Ruler's Court in the emirate where the case was heard. Both the prisoner and relatives can write.

Does a pardon cancel deportation?

Not automatically. Under Article 150 of Law No. 31/2021, a pardon doesn't remove measures such as deportation unless the decree says so. You can separately ask the Ruler's Court to lift deportation or an entry ban.

Are pardoned prisoners' fines paid?

The UAE President's decrees from 2024 to 2026 include an undertaking to settle the financial obligations of those released. Private debts and civil claims aren't cancelled by a pardon (Art. 153).

Is this the same as the visa amnesty?

No. The visa amnesty deals with overstay fines and has nothing to do with criminal sentences. See the guide "UAE visa amnesty".

Sources

Topic: UAE Criminal Law 2026

Get a lawyer's help: Criminal lawyer

This material is for information only and is not legal advice. UAE law changes — a lawyer will assess how it applies to your situation.