Are you traveling to Dubai soon? The code of conduct in the UAE is surely strict, but don’t let it intimidate you. This travel guide can help you safely tour the Emirate and enjoy your vacation. Dubai is a fun and safe vacation spot. Just make sure to respect the local customs and Dubai laws.
Laws in dubai for travellers
There are some basic laws in Dubai for tourists:
- Follow the Covid-19 travel advisory
- Respect the UAE laws and dress code
- Be mindful of religious observances such as Ramadan and the code of conduct during festivities
Is it safe to travel to Dubai at the Moment?
Keeping in mind rising Covid-19 cases, the U.S. Department of State has recently announced a warning against International travel. So be sure to check the number of Coronavirus cases in the UAE before you plan your trip to Dubai. Some mandatory travel advisory for Coronavirus must still be followed by all visitors to Dubai, even though cases had substantially gone down:
- Present a negative PCR certificate taken 72 hours prior to departure
- You may be required to take a secondary Covid-19 test at the airport
- Original certificates must be presented in English or Arabic
- You must ensure that you are equipped with medical travel insurance with international coverage for covid-19
Is Dubai Safe?
Dubai’s crime rate as of 2018 is 3.4 per hundred thousand people. This rate is comparatively lower than other cities of the same size. Dubai takes its travel laws seriously. So, you can enjoy your vacation to Dubai without a worry. Pick-pocketing is also a rare crime in Dubai. But do stay close to your belongings in crowded places such as the Dubai Airport or the Burj Khalifa.
The highest risk that tourists face in Dubai is breaking a law that they’re not informed about. Even though Dubai is a fairly liberal cosmopolitan, some laws that seem legal in other parts of the Western World may be illegal in Dubai.
Be Careful About The Safety Laws In Dubai That You May Not Know Are An Issue
Gestures as simple as consuming alcohol without permit, kissing in public, or sharing a room with your unmarried partner are punishable under the laws of Dubai. Actions that are often overlooked in other parts of the World are often frowned upon in Dubai. Unsolicited selfies are not welcome to the Emiratis. So be respectful and seek permission before taking somebody’s photograph. Always be careful before publicly addressing a stranger in the streets of Dubai, especially if the stranger is a woman.
What are the rules in Dubai for tourists?
Tourists must fulfill the basic visa criteria and Covid-19 travel advisory before traveling to Dubai. Besides that tourists should carry their visa, passports, and identification cards with them at all times. The safety laws in Dubai ensure that the island is a carefree holiday destination for its tourists. You’ll notice many people leave behind their belongings on the beach when going for a swim in the sea. Despite it, make sure you’re mindful of your own belongings at all public places in Dubai. Even though there are lifeguards present at Dubai’s public beaches, always make sure you’re swimming within a safe distance.
Is It Safe to Travel Solo in Dubai?
Dubai laws for tourists ensure the protection of all tourists visiting the island. So you can plan your solo trip to Dubai without any hesitation. Dubai is safe for solo travelers when it comes to personal safety. You can explore the streets of Dubai and have a gala time. Just be sure to be respectful of the stringent laws of the Emirate. There are CCTV cameras at all public places in Dubai including the streets. So there’s nothing to worry about. Just be mindful of the local customs and stay close to your belongings and you are good to go!
Things you should know if You’re A Woman Traveler in Dubai
The conservative laws of the Middle East work out to the advantage of women travelers in Dubai. Instances of strangers approaching women are rare in Dubai. Eve teasing is frowned upon and may be punishable by law. It is considered inappropriate to photograph women in public without permission. Make sure you know these safety laws and use them to your advantage if someone gives you a hard time. Be careful though, it is not uncommon for women to be persecuted in the UAE for being victims of inappropriate advances. If you’re a female traveler in Dubai, be sure to dress modestly. It is also compulsory for women to wear the hijab when visiting mosques or during the month of Ramadan.
What to wear in Dubai?
Make sure to pack the right clothes when you’re traveling to Dubai. It is true that you must adhere to the UAE dress code, but don’t let that stop you from being well prepared for your tropical desert holiday in Dubai. The climate is hot and dry, and the desert safari will have you struggling with sand. Keep these Dubai clothing laws in mind before you get packing:
- Make sure to wear light fabrics such as cotton and linen.
- Your casual clothes like shirts, blouses, shorts, pants, and dresses work well in the Dubai heat
- Carry a sunhat or a parasol when you’re out in the sun
- Dress modestly at all public places
- Wear modest swimwear at public beaches. A t-shirt and shorts are your safest bet.
- It is mandatory for women to don the hijab when visiting mosques, or during Ramadan.
Can you hug in Dubai Airport?
The safety laws in Dubai for tourists allow you to respectfully hug your loved ones in the Dubai Airport. You may extend a hug to greet someone or even say goodbye to somebody. Holding hands with your partner or stealing a gentle peck on the cheek is harmless. Be wary of excessive PDA, such as incessant hugging or kissing. These may be frowned upon in Dubai’s public places or may even land you in jail!
Can I share a room with my boyfriend in Dubai?
What laws in Dubai tourists should know? It is illegal to stay with your boyfriend or girlfriend at a hotel in Dubai. Despite the legal requirements, some luxury hotels may entertain personal requests by unmarried couples as long as you are not disturbing other guests. Some honeymoon couples traveling to Dubai feel unsure because of different surnames on their passports. There’s nothing to worry about. You can always drop a request with a hotel administration. Make sure to book your hotel rooms in advance though. Dubai is a busy holiday destination and getting that perfect hotel room is quite a mission.
Is dating allowed in Dubai?
Dubai is a fairly liberal cosmopolitan in the Middle East. It is common to encounter couples on dates in restaurants or malls in Dubai. It is advisable to be wary of excessive public display of affection in public as it may be punishable under the laws in Dubai for travellers.
What should I avoid in Dubai?
You should avoid going for any forbidden experience in Dubai. Referenced in a famous Hollywood movie, the forbidden experience takes place at the Gold Souks in the Middle East. Many vendors may approach you to sell cheap designer watches and jewelry. Do not fall for the trap as it will lead you down the rabbit hole of fake brands that are illegal in Dubai.
What laws in Dubai tourists should know?
- Always be respectful of all the local laws and customs followed by the Emiratis
- Be sure to pay all your bills without fail. Debt non-repayment is a criminal offense in Dubai and can land you behind bars
- Drug laws in the UAE are stringent. It is best to leave your medications behind if vacationing in Dubai
- Dubai is still conservative about laws regarding the LGBTQ+ community. The punishments for any display of sexual affection towards the same gender can be strict under the laws of the UAE and may vary from imprisonment to deportation.
- Laws in Dubai also deem adultery as a punishable offense.
- The transgender community is still not officially recognized by the laws of Dubai. So, if you identify yourself in the non-binary gender on your passport, it is possible that you may be questioned by authorities at the airport. Also, for the sake of your own safety in Dubai, be sure to dress according to your birth-assigned gender.
- Dubai is a cosmopolitan with multicultural citizens living together. Regardless of that, if you’re traveling to Dubai from non-western nations, it is advisable to be extra vigilant of the safety rules in Dubai, as liabilities often vary indiscriminately from tourist to tourist.
- It is illegal to make disrespectful statements about authorities in the UAE on any public platform including social media posts.
The tourism industry has slithered through the loopholes of many safety laws in Dubai! So you may be excused for some of your trespasses if you’re in the right place at the right time. Always play the odds to your favor though. Be sure to respect the laws of the land if you’re a traveler in Dubai. If you’re somewhere in sight of a police officer, always put on your best behavior! Get the best of Dubai on TicketsToDo.