A judicial ruling has ended mandatory deportation for expats who have been caught using drugs for the first time in the UAE.

The Federal Decree-Law No. 30/2021 that will come into effect on January 1, 2022 has put an end to the earlier law that suggested mandatory deportation of first time drug using expats.

Each case however, will be reviewed by the judges on whether the deportation or penalty is to be considered.

Article 41 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 30/2021 mentions that the first time offenders are viable for three months imprisonment or a fine between 20,000 to 100,000 AED. In such cases, the court will also decide if the offender has to be rehabilitated.

Individuals offending the rule for the second time within three years of their first offence are viable to be jailed for a minimum of six months or fined between 30,000 to 100,000 AED.

Third time offenders will have a jail term of atleast two years and fined 100,000 AED.