Dubai Tourist Police: Contact Numbers, App, Complaints & Tourist Help (2026)

You are walking through the Gold Souk when someone overcharges you by three times the market rate. Or your passport is missing from your hotel room. Or a taxi driver refuses to use the meter and demands double. In that moment, most tourists have no idea who to call or what to do next. Dubai is widely considered one of the safest destinations in the world, but that safety has real people behind it — and the Dubai Tourist Police is exactly the department designed for these situations. Before you even land, it helps to know what is and isn't acceptable in Dubai, since understanding local laws is the first layer of staying safe.

This guide covers everything a visitor needs: direct contact numbers, how the Dubai Police App works, how to file a complaint step by step, and what your rights are as a tourist on UAE soil.

What Is the Dubai Tourist Police Department?

The Dubai Tourist Police is a dedicated unit operating under Dubai Police, established specifically to assist international visitors who face problems during their stay — whether that's theft, scams, accidents, medical emergencies, or legal confusion.

Unlike the general emergency line 999, the Tourist Police is designed for non-life-threatening situations that still require official assistance. Officers are trained to handle tourist-specific scenarios and are multilingual, with support available in English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and several other languages spoken by visitors arriving from South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

How Active Is the Department?

According to Dubai Police, the Tourist Police Department handled 1,839 enquiries and assistance requests from tourists of 118 nationalities in the first half of 2026 alone, across five communication channels. That volume reflects both the scale of tourism in Dubai and how actively the department engages with visitors.

The department operates year-round under the direction of the Dubai Police Commander-in-Chief, with officers stationed across Dubai's major tourist zones and available through multiple contact channels 24 hours a day.

Dubai Tourist Police Contact Numbers — Quick Reference

Before anything else, save these numbers. The situation will be stressful enough — you should not be searching for contacts in the middle of it. All numbers below are published by the UAE Government Portal and Dubai Police.

Numbers verified against the UAE Government Portal in August 2026. Contact details can change — confirm on the official Dubai Police website or the UAE Government Portal if a number does not connect.

How Do You Use the Dubai Police App for Tourist Help?

The Dubai Police App is one of the most practical tools a tourist can have on their phone. It works entirely in English, and you do not need to speak Arabic to navigate it. Most importantly, it lets you file reports and track complaints without physically visiting a station. It is available on iOS, Android and Huawei AppGallery.

Filing a Complaint Through the App — Step by Step

1. Download the Dubai Police app and select English as your language
2. Tap Services at the bottom of the screen
3. Scroll to Community Services and choose Tourism Police, or select Report a Crime if the situation is criminal
4. Enter your name, nationality, passport number, email and international mobile number
5. Describe the incident in the text field — be specific about time, location, and what happened
6. Attach any evidence: photos, screenshots, or receipts
7. Submit — a confirmation with your case reference number appears immediately
8. Track progress under My Requests or Follow Up using that reference number

Response times vary by case type, but most straightforward tourist complaints receive an initial response within 24 to 48 hours. For urgent matters, call 901 or the direct tourist line rather than waiting for an app response.

What Does Dubai Police Help for Tourists Actually Cover?

A common misconception is that the Tourist Police only handles minor issues. In reality, the department covers a wide range of situations, from stolen wallets to serious incidents involving medical emergencies in remote areas.

In May 2024, Dubai Police rescued a British tourist who was hiking in the Hatta mountains and became unable to move due to exhaustion and health issues. Officers located him, administered first aid on-site, and arranged emergency transport to hospital. This is the level of response the tourist assistance framework provides — not just administrative help, but genuine on-the-ground intervention.

The Tourist Police handle:

• Theft and pickpocketing, including hotel theft and bag snatching
• Taxi and transport fraud — overcharging, refusal to use meters
• Gold Souk and market scams — counterfeit goods, inflated pricing
• Property scams targeting new arrivals or short-term renters
• Lost passports and travel documents
• Stranded tourists, whether the issue is medical, financial, or logistical
• Noise complaints and disturbances at tourist venues
• Tourist-related traffic accidents

Which Areas Do Tourist Police Cover?

Tourist Police officers are deployed across all of Dubai's primary visitor zones:

• Dubai Marina & JBR Zone — beach patrol, waterfront incidents
• Downtown Dubai / Burj Khalifa Zone — high-footfall tourist area, crowd management
• Deira & Gold Souk Zone — market fraud, heritage area patrol
• Dubai International Airport (DXB) — arrival and departure assistance
• Jumeirah Beach / Palm Jumeirah — coastal safety and resort-area coverage
• Hatta and mountain zones — emergency response for adventure tourists

Tourist Police vs Regular Dubai Police — Key Differences

How Do You File a Complaint with Dubai Tourist Police?

Many tourists hesitate to file formal complaints because they assume the process is complicated or time-consuming. It is not. Dubai Police has specifically simplified the tourist complaint process to remove barriers for international visitors, and there is no fee for filing.

You have three routes: the app (covered above), the official website, or a phone call. If your incident touches on your visa status or documentation, knowing your legal standing as a visitor matters.

Filing Through the Website — Step by Step

1. Open the official Dubai Police website
2. Select Online Services, then the relevant tourist or complaint service
3. Choose your complaint category: fraud, theft, transport issue, and so on
4. Enter your personal details — passport number, nationality, and contact information
5. Describe the incident in detail: date, time, location, and what occurred
6. Upload supporting evidence if available — photos, screenshots, receipts
7. Submit the form. You will receive a case reference number via SMS or email
8. Track your complaint status using the reference number on the same portal

Alternatively, call 901 or the direct tourist line and an officer will guide you through the process verbally, then follow up with a digital record of your case.

What Happens After You File a Complaint?

Once your complaint is submitted, a case reference number is assigned. You can track this online or through the Dubai Police App. For straightforward cases — taxi fraud, market overcharging, minor theft — most tourists receive an initial response within 24 to 48 hours. Complex cases involving criminal investigation may take longer and could require a follow-up visit to a police station or SPS.

You will receive updates via SMS or email depending on the contact details you provided. If your case requires a physical police report certificate for insurance purposes, visit any Smart Police Station with your reference number.

Anonymous complaints are accepted for certain categories, such as reporting a business for fraudulent practices — however, you cannot track an anonymous complaint afterward.

Which Number Should You Call for Each Situation?

Knowing who to call is half the battle. Here is how to handle the most common tourist emergencies in Dubai.

Lost Passport in Dubai

A lost passport is one of the most stressful situations for any tourist. Call +971 50 453 8107 or 901, then contact your country's embassy or consulate in Dubai. The Tourist Police will provide a loss report, which your embassy needs to issue an emergency travel document. This process typically takes 2 to 5 working days depending on your nationality. Do not attempt to leave the UAE without a valid travel document.

Scam or Fraud

Common tourist scams in Dubai include counterfeit gold jewellery in the souks, unlicensed taxi drivers, fake tour packages, and inflated restaurant bills. If you have been targeted, save all evidence — receipts, photos of the item, screenshots of any communication, and the name or location of the business. File a complaint through the Dubai Police App or call 901. Officers track recurring scam locations and use these complaints to take action against offenders.

If you were misled about what is legal to bring into the country, it also helps to review what items are banned in Dubai before your next trip.

Stranded or Medical Emergency

Call 999 if there is immediate risk to life, or 998 for an ambulance. Call 901 if you are stranded, lost, or need assistance that is not immediately life-threatening. If someone in your group has high blood pressure, cardiac issues, or mobility problems, call 901 proactively — officers can send medical assistance or arrange transport to hospital. In remote or mountainous areas, the SOS function in the Dubai Police app is the fastest way to share your exact location.

What Are Your Rights as a Tourist in Dubai?

The UAE provides legal protections for international visitors that apply regardless of nationality. The points below reflect general practice — for any specific legal situation, contact your embassy or a UAE-registered lawyer rather than relying on a guide.

• You cannot be detained without cause. If you are stopped, ask calmly for the reason.
• You can request contact with your embassy. If you are arrested or detained, request embassy contact immediately.
• You can request an interpreter. If you do not speak Arabic, ask explicitly for translation services during any formal police proceeding.
• Bail is generally available in non-violent cases. Contact a UAE-registered legal representative if bail becomes relevant to your situation.
• You can obtain a police report certificate. After filing a complaint you are entitled to an official record of it — important for insurance and embassy documentation.

Knowing your rights matters, and so does arriving prepared. If you are planning a trip, the Dubai Airport guide covers arrival procedures and transit options.

Dubai Tourist Police vs Abu Dhabi Tourist Police

Many visitors to the UAE travel between emirates — Dubai and Abu Dhabi are only about 90 minutes apart. Tourist Police services are not shared between emirates, so knowing the right contact for each location matters.

If you are visiting Yas Island, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, or the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, you are in Abu Dhabi's jurisdiction — call +971 2 800 2626 for tourist assistance there, not 901.

Conclusion

Dubai is a genuinely safe city. The Tourist Police department, Smart Police Stations, and the Dubai Police App are all designed to make getting help as simple as possible for international visitors — and the department handled 1,839 tourist enquiries from 118 nationalities in the first half of 2026 alone, which shows these channels are actively used and monitored.

The most important thing is knowing the right number before you need it. Save +971 50 453 8107 and 901 in your phone now, and download the Dubai Police App before you land. For a full overview of getting around the city confidently, the Dubai travel guide is a solid starting point.