There are certain things you can't do in Dubai and PDA is one of them. In Dubai, holding hands, hugging, and kissing in public is considered socially unacceptable and if caught indulging in such acts, you might land up in jail.
Couples who are not married cannot engage in any form of public affection. Kissing and hugging in public is not tolerated and couples who are caught could be fined or imprisoned.
According to the law, it's illegal for unmarried couples to stay in the same room during a holiday in Dubai. In reality, this is not strictly enforced and it's unlikely you'll be challenged on it. Many unmarried couples visit Dubai every year without issue.
It is pertinent to note that cohabitation of unmarried couples is not a crime anymore in the UAE if there are no objections by their legal guardians. Therefore, if you are living with your girlfriend in the UAE, it may not be considered a crime, and there may be no imprisonment or penalties for cohabitation.
The code says that only straight couples who are married are allowed to hold hands in public. Even in the case of married couples, the practice is tolerated, but not encouraged. In theory, you can hold hands in public in Dubai, however, you risk offending the locals and going against their cultural customs.
There are certain things you can't do in Dubai and PDA is one of them. In Dubai, holding hands, hugging, and kissing in public is considered socially unacceptable and if caught indulging in such acts, you might land up in jail.
However, there is no article in the UAE's laws that forbids hand holding even if the couple are not married, unless the act of hand holding itself developed into a crime such as adultery.
According to the code couples, both married and unmarried, cannot show affection in public places. Kissing and embracing out in the open is strictly forbidden. While a married couple holding hands is tolerable displaying affection out in the open is generally not. This rule stands for married couples in the emirate.
It is very crucial to remember that it's absolutely illegal for any woman who's unmarried or single to be pregnant while residing in UAE. The consequences of local authorities discovering that any single woman is carrying a baby can include jail and deportation.
Polygamy is allowed as per the UAE's law. A Muslim male may have four wives, provided he offers equal sustenance and equal treatment to all. Here are the key legal requirements for Muslim marriages: Marriage contract needs to be registered in a Sharia court in the UAE.
Yamalov answers by saying that public display of affection (PDA) is, in fact, not illegal in the UAE. However, public display of affection that may be deemed either disgraceful or against public moral is against Article 58 of the UAE Penal Code.
In Dubai, dating is common and you can see men and women on dates in the malls or in restaurants. In Saudi, however, there are laws forbidding a woman from standing next to a man. If you live in the Kingdom, dating is forbidden in public for both locals and expats.
Kissing and cuddling in public areas can be seen as obscene acts and it is against Dubai's laws for a minor (anyone under 18) to be in a sexual relationship. Homosexuality is against the law in Dubai, so any public romantic gestures in a same-sex relationship could put you at risk.
The Dubai Tourism Bureau states: “Dubai is a cosmopolitan city that recognises that marriage does not define all relationships and as such does not discriminate against singles or unmarried couples visiting the emirate.”
The new federal law, which was introduced by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, under decree number 10-2022 regulating the registry of birth and death in the UAE, recognises the rights of single mother to register their children without the requirement of a father or a marriage certificate.
The new Law effectively decriminalizes consensual relationships out of wedlock, providing that any child conceived as a result of the relationship is acknowledged and will be cared for.
You must apply for a UAE residence visa for a newborn baby within 120 days of birth; otherwise, you will have to pay an AED100 fine for each day beyond the deadline. This process is the same as for a family residence visa.
Paracetamol is not featured on the MoH's list of controlled drugs4, so you should be able to take it into Dubai. However, if you are ever unsure then check with your doctor.
Visitors, both men and women, are encouraged to wear clothing that covers their shoulders, arms and legs.
Americans may raise an eyebrow at men holding hands, but in the Arab world, affection among men is common, and without sexual connotation. "Holding hands is the warmest expression of affection between men," said Samir Khalaf, a sociology professor at American University of Beirut in Lebanon.
What are the laws on tattoos in the UAE? The United Arab Emirates does not have any explicit laws on tattoos. As a result, those who want to get tattooed in the UAE are free to do so.
Dress code
Women should dress modestly when in public areas like shopping malls. Clothes should cover the tops of the arms and legs, and underwear should not be visible. Swimming attire should be worn only on beaches or at swimming pools. Cross-dressing is illegal.
Sexting in the UAE is against the law.
That also includes nude selfies, as this young couple found out.