Unmarried couples in the UAE
Jun 21, 2016, 4:09 am
#1
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Regarded as total and utter snob amongst the BAEC community.
Posts: 971
Unmarried couples in the UAE
Hi, we are looking planning a weeks holiday to Dubai & possibly Abu Dhabi. Another couple are looking to join us, however they are not married. As they would be tourists would be ok to visit and share a hotel room without any issue?
Jun 21, 2016, 11:57 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Abu Dhabi
Programs: BA Gold/OWE
Posts: 531
Whilst it's technically illegal, thousands of couples (visitors and expats) do it every year. People will assume they're married and refer to their 'husband' or 'wife'. The tourism industry would collapse overnight if the law were strictly enforced. Remember that many people/cultures do not change their name upon marriage. No need to pack the marriage certificate or wear rings.
Same with drinking alcohol without a licence. Just stay out of trouble and off the front pages of the tabloids and you'll be fine.
Same with drinking alcohol without a licence. Just stay out of trouble and off the front pages of the tabloids and you'll be fine.
Jun 21, 2016, 1:14 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
Keep in mind that even if you are a married couple, unless you were married in the UAE, the only proof of marriage that will keep you from being arrested should that be the preference of the police is a marriage certificate translated into Arabic and certified by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A regular marriage certificate from your home country is insufficient.
Jun 21, 2016, 1:57 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
A little OT, I had an issue in Jordan once when I was sharing a room with a friend, the only reason I had a problem was because she was speaking Arabic, so the agent at the reception was sure that if she speaks Arabic, she must be Muslim, and if she is a Muslim, then it is not allowed for us to stay in the same room if we are not married.
Long story short, she switched to English and "convinced them" she is not Muslim, and then all was ok.
Long story short, she switched to English and "convinced them" she is not Muslim, and then all was ok.
Jun 22, 2016, 7:12 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
Actually, it doesn't make a difference. If you are a legally married same-sex couple from a jurisdiction that recognises it, the UAE will accept you as a couple on paper (but theoretically can still prosecute you for engaging in conjugal relations). I even know of an American living in the UAE who sponsored his same-sex spouse for a UAE residence visa.
