Q: Dear Lawyers, I am a Filipina, Christian, and married in the Philippines but separated for about 7 years now. I am in a relationship with a Muslim guy, and we are planning to get married. Is it possible here in the UAE?

Q: A marriage between Greek National and Indian origin was solemnized in India at Delhi marriage courts. Living in Dubai since 2015 as she was based in Dubai and then in Nov of the year 2016, a child was born and she moved back to Greece. Since then, she has disappeared and On 11 Oct 2018, she was granted ex-parte divorce in her home country in Cyprus on many grounds, and the document was shared by her. As the marriage was solemnized and registered in Delhi under the Christian marriage act in India and this document was invalid to grant me a divorce. Hence, in 2019, I filed a case in Delhi seeking divorce against the ex-parte decision received also contesting the grounds of divorce granted. Since then, the lawyer in Delhi has sent three notices through registered post on WhatsApp asking the respondent to be present, however, no response was received. I fought the case in the UAE and got a divorce on the above grounds. Is it valid for submission to the Indian consulate in the UAE? How long will the UAE courts take?

Q: I am from the Philippines, married to an Egyptian. We were both in Dubai, however, my husband went back to his home country in 2018 and we did not see each other since. We were in constant communication but the distance took its toll on our relationship and he recently said that he wants to get married again in Egypt. He knew that if that happens, we need to dissolve our union. We do not have kids, property, or bank accounts. Where can I file for divorce in Dubai? Thank you!

Q: Hello, sir, I am an Indian Muslim. I got married in India, but we are already separated, though not yet divorced. I have a new partner here with me; she is single and from Myanmar. We are ready to marry in the UAE. What is the process under Sharia law to successfully complete our marriage?

Q: Hello, I have been separated for 7 years from my late ex-husband in the Philippines. I am a converted Muslim since 2016, and my ex-husband was not Muslim. Can I marry my Egyptian fiancé here in the UAE?

An interview-format article covering the topic of divorce for expatriates in the UAE and seeking to apply the laws of their countries. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

In accordance with the UAE Law of Personal Status, marriage is a legal contract between two people (man and a woman), focusing on protecting the rights of married people and their children. This contract requires certain conditions to be achieved before it becomes valid.

A new civil personal status decree has been introduced in the emirate of Abu Dhabi by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. This personal status decree will be applicable for non-Muslim foreigners based in Abu Dhabi in matters of marriage, divorce, Will, inheritance, and custody of children.

UAE Personal Status Law (also known as Personal Affairs Law) governs marriage, divorce, inheritance and other personal affairs in the United Arab Emirates. The law equally applies to citizens of the UAE and non-citizens unless one of them asks for the application of his home country law.