“Holding hands for a married couple is tolerated but kissing and petting are considered an offence to public decency,” it adds. “Public displays of affection, as well as sexual harassment or randomly addressing women in public places, is liable to be punished by imprisonment or deportation.”
Kissing and embracing in public
The Executive Council has published a code of conduct that lays down acceptable conduct in Dubai. 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.
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.
Sexting in the UAE is against the law.
That also includes nude selfies, as this young couple found out.
It does not matter if one party kisses the other on the lips, on the cheek, or in a private place that would get them locked upon any part of the world; kissing is forbidden in public places in Dubai.
Death penalty shall be imposed if the murder is committed with premeditation and deliberation, or if associated with or connected to another crime, or if the murder is committed against any of the ascendants of the criminal, or against a public official or a person assigned to a public service, during or by reason of ...
Can unmarried couples stay in the same hotel room? 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.
“Holding hands for a married couple is tolerated but kissing and petting are considered an offence to public decency,” it adds. “Public displays of affection, as well as sexual harassment or randomly addressing women in public places, is liable to be punished by imprisonment or deportation.”
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.
During the passionate kiss, use your hands to hold your partner and make them feel desired. Caress, squeeze, or grip your partner's face, lower back, upper back, chest, or neck with varying levels of pressure to stimulate these erogenous zones.
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.
Most Dubai hotels don't enforce the "only married couples" rule. Luxury hotels, which often cater to foreigners, are especially relaxed, so chances are you won't have trouble booking a room. At check-in, you'll be required to show your passport, but having different surnames won't raise any eyebrows.
You are allowed to date; however, you should respect the guidelines and traditions of the place where you live. In the Gulf region, for example, dating is far different in Dubai compared to Saudi Arabia. In Dubai, dating is common and you can see men and women on dates in the malls or in restaurants.
Check out the dating scene in one of the best places to meet new people: Dubai. Whether you live here or plan to travel for a visit, on Tinder, you'll find plenty of locals near you.
Yes, unreservedly. Dubai is considered among the top 10 safest countries for female solo travellers, so there is no need to hesitate before getting that Dubai visa.
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.
Stoning. The United Arab Emirates has sentenced several people to death by stoning. In 2010, stoning to death was prescribed as the default method of execution for adultery, and it remained a legal punishment under the UAE's interpretation of Sharia in 2021.
Dubai has strict laws regarding alcohol consumption, dress, sexual conduct, and social behaviors in general that are important for visitors to take note of. Some of these laws include only drinking alcohol in your home and at licensed venues.
The punishment for Adultery in UAE is at least one year of imprisonment and up to three years along with deportation. In addition to this the court has a power to exercise its discretion to suspend the jail sentence of the accused or for that matter, to reduce it all together.
In most of the Western world, such as Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and Latin America, it is very common to see people holding hands, hugging and sometimes kissing in public.
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.