Marriage and pregnancy laws in Dubai and other Emirates

Having a baby is a time of joy and of radical change in the life of both parents. There is so much to think about and prepare before bringing a new life into this world. It is important to be aware of the laws, rights, and services available to expectant mothers in the UAE. Your child can be born in either a government or a private hospital and your new baby’s citizenship will be the same as the baby’s father.

COMPLYING WITH MARRIAGE & PREGNANCY LAWS

It is of utmost importance for a woman to be married if pregnant in the UAE. At the hospital when you go for your first check-up, you will need to show an original marriage certificate along with copies of your passport and visa. If you are unmarried and pregnant, you should either get married or expatriate unmarried expectant mothers should return to their home countries for the delivery. Also note that abortions in Dubai are illegal unless there are medical complications and the abortion is sanctioned by the hospital.

The Sharia Court in Dubai can perform marriages as per Islamic law, provided the groom is Muslim. Expatriate resident couples who are not Muslim can choose to get married in a church (Christians) temple (Hindus) or a consulate/embassy, though all such marriages need to be registered and attested either by the country of your origin or your respective consulate/embassy.

Dubai visit visa for a family member

Last updated: March 2010
Criteria:
Visit visas for immediate family members can be obtained by residents (called sponsors), whose monthly salary is not less than AED 4000 or AED 3000 + accommodation.
Validity of Visa:
Short term visa: 30 days
Long term visa: 90 days
No extensions are permitted beyond this period.
Fees
• Short term visa: AED 620 application fee + typing fees
• Long term visa: AED 1120 application fee+ typing fees
A deposit of AED 1000 to be paid, which can be reimbursed after your relative has left the country.
Documents Required:
• Typed Application form
• A copy of the sponsor’s passport & family member's passport
• 1 photo of the family member (may be required)
• Marriage contract attested from Ministry of Foreign Affairs or UAE Embassy (for sponsoring a wife or husband)
• Attested birth certificates (for sponsoring children)
• Relationship proof attested from the Embassy (in case relationship cannot be proved from family names in sponsor and relative's passport)
• Attested work contract if the sponsor is working in a private company or a salary certificate if working in government.
• Traveller Insurance.
Procedure:
1. Go to any authorized typing office & get application form typed.
2. Go to DNRD & submit along with your documents to Visa Section.
3. Send either original or copy to your relative. If only copy was sent, then deposit original at the airport or the DNATA counter at DNRD. It is advisable to deposit visa giving sufficient time for flight to land.
For more information, visit DNRD website or call their friendly Amer Toll free service on 800-5111

Can I get the ban lifted by paying money?

A reader from Dubai asks: I have worked in a company for more than two years for a salary of Dh6,000. The first period of my employment in the company of six months is not mentioned in the ratified employment contract between me and the Ministry of Labour. I have submitted my resignation, but there is a disagreement between me and the company on the matter of the current salary, the end-of-service gratuity and the said first period of employment. My question here is; how shall I prove before the Ministry of Labour my current salary, which is larger than the amount mentioned in the employment contract? And how shall I prove my joining date in such company? Is the employer entitled to request the ministry to impose a six-month ban on me and can I be exempted from such a ban. Can I get the ban lifted by paying money? Please advise me. Many thanks.

I would like to clarify to the questioner that he may prove his current salary through the bank receipts, which state the deposit of the questioner’s salary in the bank or any letter from the company stating that the company has increased the questioner’s salary. As for the first period of employment for the questioner in the company, the questioner may prove the same through the appointment letter as well as the date of the first salary he received from the company. In connection with the ban, a six-month ban will be imposed on the questioner by the Ministry of Labour since the questioner has not completed three consecutive years with the existing employer. Therefore, a no-objection certificate is required by the questioner to transfer the sponsorship from the existing sponsor so that he can lift the ban.

Questions answered by Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba of Al Bahar Advocates and Legal Consultants

Dewa to offer residency, visa services

Public to submit applications to new section set within authority's offices

Dubai: Public can now make their residency and visa applications at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) offices following the opening of a new section — the Dubai General Department for Residency and Foreigners Affairs — at Dewa headquarters, east of Zabeel.

In its efforts to strengthen cooperation with strategic partners, Dewa opened an office for the residency department following the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Monday.

The office will offer all related residency services to the public.

Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, Managing Director of Dewa, said the authority will provide the necessary support and facilities for the residency office.

Major-General Mohammad Al Merri, director-general of the residency department said the office will provide services to public services from 7.30am to 8pm.

He said that the department's offices numbered 23 in total.

Transfer sponsorship without NOC

A reader in Dubai asks: I have been working in a company for two years; currently, I am not stable with the company, as my salary is often delayed. My question here is; I would like to know the requirements to transfer sponsorship without the need to get a letter from my sponsor as per the labour law.

The Ministry of Labour allows the worker to transfer sponsorship to a new sponsor without the need to get a no objection certificate (NOC) from the existing sponsor according to the following cases: The worker’s salary has been delayed for two months or more. In the event of arbitrary dismissal, provided a judgment passed by the competent court confirms such an arbitrary dismissal.

Questions answered by Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba of Al Bahar Advocates and Legal Consultants.