Do Pregnant Women still need to Flee UAE if Unmarried?

Due to the recent publication in the thetimes.co.uk concerning pregnancy & wedding in the UAE and the increased number of questions we received, we wanted to post some more information about it. This article is only commenting on the original post and until the UAE authorities officially release a notice about it, we do invite everyone to consult a local lawyer to always comply with the local laws. Feel free to review our original content related to the latest regulation for families in the UAE in easyweddingdubai.com

Original article: thetimes.co.uk by Ashleigh Stewart the 30/04/21

Previous Rules for Unmarried Pregnant Women in Dubai and the UAE

According to the previous UAE laws it wasn’t allowed to get pregnant without marrying and women under such circumstances could even face deportation or jail. That’s the reason why most unmarried women used to try to get the destination wedding services such as getting married in Seychelles. But this option is not always acesible for everyone.

In the last social reforms that were issued back in November 2020, UAE decriminalized alcohol and suicide. Other than that, it also allows the unmarried couple to live together in one place.

Latest Reforms Regarding Unmarried Pregnant Women

The Deputy minister Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed who is also the minister of presidential affairs has recently signed an order (according to the original times article). That order should state that it will be possible for unmarried couples to apply for the birth certificate of their upcoming babies. Not only they won’t need to show their marriage certificate but they will also be able to live with their kids without getting married in the UAE.

Important Thing to Keep in Mind regarding families in the UAE

It’s important to keep in mind that this law doesn’t mean that UAE is allowing abortion or homosexuality. This rule is only to ease the unmarried couples to have the baby without wedlock.

The officials have also mentioned that it was never a crime for any unmarried women who had babies to visit the UAE. But now the unmarried women living in the UAE can also get pregnant. It’s now not the legal requirement to have a marriage certificate to apply for the birth certificate of any baby who is born out of wedlock.

Final Words on Pregnant Women Now Don’t Need to Flee UAE if Unmarried

The authorities have stated that these reforms are to make sure that UAE offers a peaceful and liberal environment to all types of foreigners. Not only is it the requirement of the changing world but it also to make sure that countless ex-pats living in the UAE send their lives peacefully.