UAE announces new personal status law for non-Muslim expats

As on February 1, 2023, all non-Muslim foreign nationals living in the United Arab Emirates will be subject to a new Federal Decree-Law on Personal Status.

In keeping with the UAE’s ongoing efforts to improve its legislative ecosystem, the Federal Personal Status Law will help the country achieve its goals and visions for the next half-century by cementing the UAE’s reputation as a welcoming place that values family unity and diversity.

Unless a non-Muslim foreign resident applies the law of their home nation, the terms of the Decree-Law apply to them. In addition, non-Muslim foreigners may opt out of this Decree-restrictions Law’s in favour of implementing other family or personal status legislation in force in the UAE.

The terms of marriage and the processes for contracting and documenting the marriage before the appropriate courts are governed by the provisions of the Decree-Law. Divorce proceedings, whether initiated jointly or separately, are spelled forth in the Decree-Law. It establishes a framework for dividing parenting time and financial responsibilities following a divorce. The Decree-Law also provides structure to the processes around wills, testaments, and proofs of paternity.