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UAE Moments
21 hours ago
- General
- UAE Moments
Divorce in the UAE for Expats: Legal Process, Costs & Special Rules by Nationality
Divorce in the UAE for Expats: Full Guide 1. Introduction Divorce in the UAE can be a complex process—particularly for expatriates—due to the coexistence of Sharia (Islamic family law) and civil personal‑status laws. This guide walks you through the legal procedure, costs, timelines, and special rules based on religion or nationality. All paths begin with clarity—clarity on official governmental guidance, legal rights, and practical expectations. 2. Applicable Laws: Sharia vs. Civil Divorce Muslim Couples Muslim residents in the UAE must apply Sharia-based divorce laws under Federal Law No. 28 of 2005 ('Personal Affairs Law') and the Family Guidance Department rules. Divorce begins with a conciliation attempt, where a mediator tries to reconcile the couple. If reconciliation fails, a referral letter allows the case to proceed to court. Courts comprise Sharia courts in each emirate. After conciliation, cases move through multiple levels: Court of First Instance, Court of Cessation (appeals), and Enforcement Court. Non‑Muslim Couples Expats who are non-Muslim may choose civil divorce under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 (effective Feb 1, 2023), which allows civil marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance outside Sharia. Non-Muslims who prefer can instead opt for their home country's divorce laws to govern their proceedings, subject to UAE judicial approval and federal Article 1 of Law No. 28 of 2005. 3. Step‑by‑Step Divorce Process for Expats A. Filing & Conciliation One spouse registers a divorce request at the Family Guidance Department at the judicial department in the emirate. A conciliator attempts resolution. It may take up to 60 days. If reconciliation fails, a referral letter is issued. The letter remains valid for three months. The case then proceeds to court. B. Court Proceedings Court of First Instance: Legal representation is recommended; proceedings in Arabic, interpreter may be required. This stage addresses divorce, alimony, child custody, asset distribution, etc. Court of Cessation (Appeals): No new evidence is allowed, but procedural review is permitted. Enforcement Court: Issues final judgment and ensures implementation. Non-compliance can carry penalties. C. Divorce Certificate & Attestation After judgment, a divorce certificate is issued. Fees to register the case and issue the certificate are around AED 500, plus attestation by Ministry of Justice, MOFA and foreign consulate (up to ~AED 1,200). No reconciliation is possible after final certificate; remarriage is required to restore a marital relationship. 4. Timeline & Costs Uncontested, amicable divorce: 2–3 months; contested divorce: 6–12 months. Costs: Filing: AED 500 Attestation: up to AED 1,200 Legal fees: AED 8,000–25,000 for amicable; AED 20,000–50,000+ for contested cases involving significant assets Translation of documents: AED 80 per document (approx.) Court filing fees (alternative sources): AED 2,000–3,000 + lawyer fees AED 10,000–50,000+. In summary: Total estimated cost: AED 10,000–30,000 for straightforward divorce; up to AED 50,000 or more if contested or complex. 5. Financial & Custody Considerations Alimony & Financial Claims Under civil divorce for non‑Muslims, no-fault divorce applies—no need to prove harm or blame. A divorced woman can claim alimony based on factors such as duration of marriage, age, financial position, contribution to divorce, and role as mother. For Muslim couples, alimony is determined under Sharia principles, often linked to khul' where a woman relinquishes her mahr to end the marriage Wikipedia. Child Custody & Guardianship Sharia courts prioritize the mother for custody (physical care) up to certain ages (typically 13 for girls, 11 for boys). The father retains guardianship (legal decisions and financial responsibility). Under civil personal status for non‑Muslims, custody and inheritance rules are defined by Decree‑Law 41/2022 and offer modern mechanisms to manage joint custody etc. Visa & Residency Status Contrary to common belief, a divorced wife does not automatically lose residency visa. She may apply for an independent visa via employment or company formation during a grace period. 6. Nationality & Religion‑Specific Rules Indian Expats Indian residents may choose to file for divorce in India, under conditions set by Indian jurisdiction (e.g. place of marriage, last joint residence, spouse's hometown). Alternatively, they may proceed under UAE civil or Sharia law, depending on religion and preference. Other Nationalities / Religions Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, etc. (non-Muslims) can use UAE civil family courts in Abu Dhabi or Dubai to opt for personal status law based on their home country or civil family law as defined under Decree‑Law 41/2022. Pre‑2023, non-Muslim expats defaulted to Sharia law unless permitted otherwise—but recent reform allows wider choice. Muslims All Muslim divorces must follow Sharia courts process, regardless of nationality. Islamic rules apply to alimony, inheritance, khul', etc. 7. Official Government Resources UAE Government Portal – Divorce Information page: outlines legal grounds, procedures for both Muslim and non-Muslim couples. UAE Family Guidance Department (Judicial Dept websites by emirate): for conciliation appointments and case filing. Dubai Courts / Abu Dhabi Judicial Dept: court systems and enforcement procedures. Ministry of Justice & Ministry of Foreign Affairs: required for attestation of divorce certificates. 8. Exceptions & Special Considerations Expats must evaluate whether to opt into UAE personal status law or home country law early in proceedings—this affects financial claims, inheritance, and custody outcomes. In Abu Dhabi, civil family courts for non-Muslims were established in November 2021. They allow more flexible procedures and civil divorce options under Abu Dhabi's Law No. 14/2021. Appeals must be filed within 28 days of judgment; clerical errors may extend deadlines slightly. Contested divorces involving assets across borders may require expert valuation and financial evidence in court. UAE courts may not enforce foreign settlements unless registered locally. 9. Conclusion & Practical Tips Start with Family Guidance Department in your emirate to open your record and conciliation process. Prepare all translated and attested documents: marriage certificate, passports, IDs, salary statements, bank records, children's birth certificates. Decide early whether to opt for civil or Sharia process, and if civil, whether to apply UAE or home country law. Secure legal representation especially if the case is contested, involves assets or children—expected legal fees AED 15,000–50,000+. Timeline estimates: amicable divorce 2–3 months; contested divorce up to 12 months. Understand custody and alimony rules based on your chosen law framework. Ensure visa and residency status —seek advice immediately post-divorce to avoid lapses. By navigating the nuances of religion, nationality, and choice of legal framework, expatriates in the UAE can manage divorce proceedings effectively. Whether opting for a civil path under modern legal reforms or Sharia law for Muslim couples, it's essential to work with experienced representation and follow official procedures to protect your rights. If you'd like assistance crafting a timeline checklist or template document list, I'd be happy to help further.
Jordan News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Jordan News
Safadi: If Airdrops Can Save the Life of One Palestinian Child, We Will Carry Them Out - Jordan News
Safadi: If Airdrops Can Save the Life of One Palestinian Child, We Will Carry Them Out Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi participated on Monday evening in the main session of the "United Nations High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Resolution of the Palestinian Question and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution," held at the UN Headquarters in New York. The event was co-chaired by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic. اضافة اعلان Safadi met with a number of his counterparts on the sidelines of the conference and delivered Jordan's statement. The following is the full text of his speech: In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, His Excellency Jean-Noël Barrot, Dear colleagues, Peace be upon you, Today, we gather—most of the world's countries—to reaffirm that there is only one path to achieving a just peace that guarantees security and stability for our entire region: the Two-State Solution, which ends occupation, oppression, and injustice, and leads to the establishment of a sovereign, independent Palestinian state on the Palestinian national soil, along the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in security and peace alongside Israel, in accordance with international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative. We convene while the catastrophic failure to implement this solution unfolds before our eyes in the form of killing, destruction, starvation, and tyranny—reducing international law and humanitarian law to empty slogans that are raised but never implemented. We see the consequences of this failure in Gaza, where occupation and aggression have turned it into a graveyard for its people—and for our shared human values. The people of Gaza are dying from bombs and hunger. Mothers in Gaza are watching their children fade before their eyes—unable to find a drop of water, a piece of bread, or a single tablet to ease their pain as they die in short lives filled only with deprivation, suffering, and despair. We also see it in the occupied West Bank, where settlement is accelerating, land is being confiscated, Palestinian blood is being shed, Muslim and Christian holy sites are being violated, and hope for peace—the only guarantor of security for both Palestinians and Israelis—is dying. We witness the arrogance of Israeli power trampling international law and the sovereignty of states: In Lebanon, where Israel violates the ceasefire agreement. In Syria, where Israel expands its occupation, interferes in Syria's internal affairs, even as the world supports rebuilding a free, stable Syria for all Syrians, where they live with security, dignity, and equality. Dear Colleagues, This is a reality that exposes our shared humanity, threatens our collective security, undermines the credibility of international law and the UN Charter, and risks turning this conflict into the region's permanent fate—past, present, and future. The aggression on Gaza must stop immediately. The international community must prevent the death of another Palestinian child—by violence, starvation, or thirst. Over 600,000 Palestinian children in Gaza must return to their schools. 2.3 million Palestinians must regain their belief that their lives have value and that their children have a future. Therefore: The Egyptian-Qatari-American efforts to reach a prisoner exchange deal and end the war must succeed. Humanitarian aid must flow uninterrupted, particularly through UN agencies, especially UNRWA. All crossings must be opened to allow the delivery of aid. Jordan will continue to send as much aid as possible via land convoys—and by air when Israel leaves no other option. Airdrops are no substitute for land convoys, but the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza means that every food parcel or medicine box delivered is a step toward saving a life. If airdrops can save the life of even one Palestinian child, we will carry them out. Because the life of a single Palestinian child is worth saving. Jordan will continue to do everything possible to address this humanitarian catastrophe by every available means—and is ready to work with all of you in this humanitarian duty. The international community must also act decisively to stop Israel's illegal measures that undermine the two-state solution in the occupied West Bank. The ceasefire agreement in Lebanon must be implemented. Israeli aggression and interference in Syria, which destabilize the country and rob its people of peace and the right to rebuild, must end. Dear Colleagues, Today's conference will not by itself implement the two-state solution, but it is a necessary message: The world sees no other path to peace—a peace that protects the region and global security from further conflict. If anyone has an alternative to the two-state solution, let them present it. The Palestinian people remain on their land, holding to their rights. Will more than five million Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza remain victims of an occupation that refuses to see them as human beings entitled to dignity, freedom, and self-determination? Is a one-state solution, where Palestinians receive equal political and human rights, a viable option? Or is institutionalized apartheid the inevitable outcome if the two-state solution fails—exposing the last shred of credibility in international law, and rendering the just peace we all seek an impossible goal? The Israeli government opposes this conference and rejects it as an event, because it contradicts its chosen path of dismantling the two-state solution. It claims that negotiations are the way to solve the conflict—yet refuses to negotiate. It enacts laws denying Palestinians their right to a state, confiscates their land, and some of its extremists deny the very humanity of the Palestinian people. If Israel wants to negotiate, the Palestinian leadership is ready to begin negotiations that we all support, aiming for a just peace that secures the legitimate rights of all. But Israel is not negotiating. That is the reality. And it is time for the international community to act based on its stated belief in the two-state solution—by taking practical steps to implement it and confronting, by all means available, those obstructing it—those denying both Palestinians and Israelis and all peoples of the region their right to live in peace. Dear Colleagues, A just peace is a strategic Arab choice confirmed in the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002. A just peace ends the occupation and guarantees Israel's security and normal relations with all Arab countries. This initiative—supported by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and 57 Arab and Muslim countries—remains on the table, awaiting an Israeli partner willing to engage in genuine negotiations to fulfill its promise of a comprehensive and lasting peace. Even if implementing the two-state solution is not possible today, protecting it and halting the measures that undermine it are urgent necessities. Recognizing the State of Palestine is an important step in this direction. We value France's announcement of its intention to recognize the State of Palestine, and we thank France and all countries that have already taken this decision. We call on all countries around the world to recognize the State of Palestine—affirming their support for justice, peace, and international law. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan will continue to support the Palestinian people's right to life, freedom, and statehood, and will dedicate all its capacities to achieve a just peace that fulfills rights, is acceptable to the peoples, ends the conflict, and secures stability. Dear Colleagues, Occupation and peace are opposites. Occupation and security cannot coexist. Killing Palestinian children, destroying their schools, mosques, and churches—these will not bring peace. Only a just peace will ensure security for both Palestinians and Israelis, and build the future of stability and cooperation we all aspire to. We thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic for organizing today's conference—a united global voice crying, "Enough of conflict, occupation, killing, and oppression," and a collective stance declaring that a just peace is our choice, through the two-state solution and the opportunity it offers to build a future of justice, not injustice—hope, not despair—cooperation, not conflict. (Petra)
UAE Moments
4 days ago
- Business
- UAE Moments
10 Reasons Working Abroad Might Not Suit Everyone
10 Reasons Why Working Abroad May Not Be for Everyone Every year, thousands of Filipinos leave their home country to work overseas. The reasons for this decision often include higher salaries, better job opportunities, and the hope of securing a better future. While these are valid motivations, not everyone is suited for the realities of being an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). Before you take the plunge, it's essential to evaluate whether living and working abroad aligns with your capabilities and outlook on life. What Working Abroad Really Entails Relocating to another country involves immersing yourself in a different way of life. From adjusting to a new culture and language to grappling with unfamiliar foods and traditions, the experience can be as overwhelming as it is exciting. However, as the novelty wears off, the challenges of adapting to a new environment and workplace begin to surface. For many, these struggles include the daily grind, feelings of isolation, and the pangs of homesickness. Here are ten important reasons to consider why working abroad may not be the best choice for everyone: #1: Lack of Clear Motivation Just as you carefully deliberate when choosing a career or life partner, working abroad is a significant life decision that requires absolute clarity. If you're unsure of your reasons for wanting to live and work overseas, take the time to assess your goals. Without a strong sense of purpose, you may find yourself regretting the decision later. #2: Doubts About Commitment Heading overseas is not a decision you can make lightly. Success as an OFW requires unwavering commitment. If you are still harboring doubts or uncertainties, pause and reflect. The challenges you will face demand not just physical effort but also emotional readiness and determination. #3: Unwillingness to Work Hard Regardless of the country you choose, long hours and demanding work are often unavoidable. Many places have work schedules that exceed the usual 8-hour day or 5-day workweek. If you're not prepared to put in the effort, you may find it hard to sustain yourself abroad. Diligence, self-discipline, and resilience are non-negotiable traits for any aspiring OFW. #4: Dependence on Others Living abroad means managing everything by yourself, from cooking and cleaning to paying bills and solving day-to-day problems. Without the safety net of family and friends to rely on, you must embrace independence. If you are unable to handle living alone or taking full responsibility for your life, working abroad might not be suitable for you. #5: Lack of Mental Toughness Resilience is key to surviving and thriving abroad. Being far from your comfort zone, you're bound to encounter moments of self-doubt, loneliness, and hardship. A strong mindset, self-confidence, and inner strength are essential traits you must possess to weather the storms of living and working in a foreign land. #6: Resistance to Change Life abroad requires stepping out of your comfort zone every single day. From cultural adjustments to building new routines, everything will feel unfamiliar at first. If you find it difficult to adapt or resist change, you may struggle to succeed in a foreign environment. #7: Propensity to Complain Challenges are inevitable when working abroad, whether it's dealing with tough bosses, adapting to a new workplace culture, or handling conflicts with colleagues. Consistently complaining rather than finding proactive solutions will only make your experiences more difficult. An attitude of openness and problem-solving is crucial. #8: Struggling to Let Go of Pride Leaving home often means starting over, even if you held a prestigious position back in the Philippines. In many cases, OFWs work entry-level jobs or roles they wouldn't typically take at home. Humility, adaptability, and a willingness to build your path from scratch are essential to coexist with others and maintain workplace harmony. #9: Difficulty Coping with Homesickness Being away from your family for an extended period can be one of the hardest aspects of working abroad. Homesickness is an inevitable part of the experience, especially when you miss holidays, milestones, and everyday moments with loved ones. If you cannot find ways to cope with these feelings, the emotional toll can weigh heavily on you. #10: Reluctance to Make Sacrifices Working abroad involves countless sacrifices, starting with missing special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations. It requires disciplined spending, accepting long-distance communication as the main connection with family, and prioritizing work over personal comforts. Unless you are truly ready for these compromises, you may find life overseas exceedingly difficult. Stories of Resilience Among OFWs Every OFW has their own story, filled with hurdles and triumphs. For instance, a Filipino in Dubai shared how their journey abroad has been nothing short of a roller coaster. They began with ambitious dreams of financial stability and a better life for their family, but the reality of long hours, modest earnings, and emotional struggles challenged those expectations. This OFW narrates how they work long shifts as a sales assistant, striving to send remittances home while juggling personal bills and trying to save for the future. Loneliness and the pressure of being so far from loved ones take a toll, but small victories — a kind word, a productive day, or progress toward their goals — keep them going. The struggles are real, but so is the hope and determination that many OFWs carry. For those considering this path, it's vital to understand the sacrifices involved while appreciating the growth, resilience, and lessons that come with the experience. Final Thoughts to Ponder
bnok24
23-07-2025
- Business
- bnok24
Remittances from Egyptians Abroad Record USD 32.8 Billion During the Period July/May of FY 2024/2025
During the period July/May of FY 2024/2025, remittances from Egyptians working abroad recorded a significant leap. The remittances rose by 69.6%, reaching about USD 32.8 billion (compared to around USD 19.4 billion during the same period a year earlier) Likewise, remittances increased during the period January/May 2025 by 59% YoY to record around USD 15.8 billion (compared to about USD 9.9 billion) On a monthly basis, remittances in May 2025 rose by 24.2% YoY to register about USD 3.4 billion, representing the highest level of inflows ever recorded in May (compared to around USD 2.7 billion) Google News تابعونا على تابعونا على تطبيق نبض Remittances from Egyptians Abroad جاري التحميل ...
Qatar Tribune
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Al Khulaifi holds phone call with Syrian foreign minister
Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi held a phone call on Thursday with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic HE Asaad Al Shibani. During the call, the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation and ways to strengthen and support it, as well as the latest developments in Syria, particularly in the city of As-Suwayda, and the ongoing Israeli attacks on Syrian territory. He stressed the importance of holding all parties accountable for the bloodshed of civilians in As-Suwayda and ensuring that they do not escape justice, underlining the need to intensify efforts to reinforce civil peace through dialogue and peaceful means. He also reaffirmed the State of Qatar's full solidarity with Syria in all measures it takes to safeguard its security and stability, reiterating Qatar's firm position in support of Syria's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and the aspirations of its people for a dignified life.
