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Marriage Requirements for Tourists and Expats in UAE

Dubai is regarded as one of the world’s safest cities. People worldwide consider Dubai to be an ideal destination to live, settle down, and raise a family. There are several reasons for this: the weather is often pleasant, housing options are plentiful, schools are excellent, and religious and cultural expression are freely exercised. Many expat families have resided in the emirate for decades and consider it home. As a result, it’s not unexpected that many foreigners undertake Dubai marriage or marriage in Dubai.

Is it possible for foreigners to get married in Dubai?

Yes, expats of any nationality may marry in Dubai, and many do. It is vital to remember, however, that:

  • The marriage must be formally recorded with the appropriate courts or embassies.
  • Non-Muslim expats can marry in Dubai according to their home country’s laws.

Essential marriage requirements for expats in Dubai

Expats in Dubai must adhere to pre-established regulations and processes for getting married. These standards and processes may differ depending on the following factors:

  • Nationality(i.e.)
  • Religion Citizenship Status of Residency

You may want to know – Requirements for civil marriage in UAE

Let’s look at the essential requirements for expat marriages in Dubai

Pre-marital requirements to be fulfilled

Regardless of who you are or where you came from, you will need the following pre-conditions and documents to go through with the marriage in Dubai:

  • The Bride’s approval is required.
  • Emirates identification cards for the Couple.
  • Passport Copy
  • Visa copy (both Bride and Groom).
  • At least one individual must hold a valid UAE residency visa in the marriage contract (the Groom, the Bride, or the Bride’s guardian).
  • The Bride and Groom must have a good pre-marital health screening certificate from DHA primary healthcare centers.

you should know: What impact do new laws have on expat marriages in Abu Dhabi?

Marriage requirements for Muslim expat

The teachings and rules of Sharia must be followed in Muslim marriages. Regardless of nationality, anyone who falls into the following conditions must follow the same approach.

  • If the Bride and Groom are both Muslims
  • The Bride is a non-Muslim (but follows a religion such as Christian or Jew), and the Groom is a Muslim.
  • Both the Groom and the Bride must have completed 18 years. If one or both of them are under the legal age to marry in the UAE, a judge’s special consent is necessary.
  • The age of one spouse cannot be more than twice that of the other. If this is the case, a judge’s consent will be required.
  • Both the Couple must be present.
  • Attendance is required by the Bride’s father or his approved proxy.
  • A minimum of two Muslim male witnesses are required.

If the bride is Muslim but her father is not, she must get a “No Objection” certificate from her native country’s consulate or embassy.

Marriage requirements for non-Muslim expats in Dubai

foreigners marrying in Dubai or Non-Muslim expats in Dubai are permitted to marry and record their marriages at their home countries’ embassies or consulates. Christian expats can marry in one of Dubai’s churches and have their union registered at the embassy or consulate.

Expats must satisfy the following requirements to get married in Dubai:

  • Both the Bride and the Groom must be at least 18 years old.
  • Two witnesses are required for the ceremony.

Marriage requirements for tourists in UAE (on visit visa) 

The rules for marrying on a visit visa differ depending on the nationality.

According to UAE legislation, the Groom must be Muslim, while the Bride might be non-Muslim but must be of the book religion.

You may need to know: How to Get a Georgian Marriage Certificate in Dubai?

Essential marriage requirements for tourists in UAE

Following are some of the essential requirements for tourist marriage in UAE.

  • A valid residence visa is required for the marriage.
  • If the Bride is on Visit Visa

In case the woman travels to Dubai with her father or legal guardian on a visit visa. In that case, the resident visa of a male who wishes to marry the girl on a visit visa is sufficient.

  • If the man has a visitor’s visa

The woman’s legal guardian’s paperwork will be necessary for the concerned man’s medical examination if he is on a visit visa. If the Bride is divorced or widowed, she will need to provide an official certificate proving her marital status.

  • No objection Letter

no objection letter from her embassy or consulate is required if the lady is Muslim and her father or legal guardian is a non-Muslim. The no-objection certificate must also be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It should be translated into Arabic for legal purposes as well.

  • Is she a Christian or a Jew?

If the lady is a Jew or a Christian, she must accompany her guardian, father, or legal guardian’s deputy. If that isn’t practicable, the judge can step in as her legal guardian. In addition, the Couple will require two witnesses.

  • Performance of other essential requirements

The Couple will also need to perform certain final checks, such as those required by their respective countries of origin. For instance, a marriage license, evidence of social standing, or any other document. Aside from that, copies of the Couple’s and Bride’s guardian’s original passports are required. Two witnesses’ ids must also be shown as verification of their presence.

While getting married in Dubai on a visit visa is undoubtedly doable in some of the scenarios listed above, be aware that the paperwork can be a bit more time-consuming. To save time and effort, we usually urge couples wishing to marry in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE to consult us to learn about all of the regulations and processes, especially if one of the partners is not a residence visa holder in Dubai.

How to get married in Dubai

The law governing marriage in the United Arab Emirates may undergo significant revisions. All couples who intend to marry in the nation will find the information offered in this article to be of support and assistance. We recommend consulting with Dubai Court Marriage’s experienced marriage attorneys in UAE if you want to comprehend the requirements relating to this specific field of law. We have a team of the best attorneys and legal advisers can assist you with the legal marriage Dubai or judicial marriage procedure in Dubai. Please contact our staff right away!

Also contact us for – Civil marriage in Dubai for foreigners 

Hazim Darwish Practicing law for almost a decade, he has in-depth knowledge on UAE legislation with particular expertise on family law, and regulatory compliance for business organizations. Hazim Darwish also provides counsel on legal rights and obligations in the UAE to clients, including individuals and businesses subject to investigation or prosecution under Criminal Law by major regulators.
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