UAE family matters Q&As: How long must a woman wait to remarry?

One reader asks about the Iddat waiting period, while another inquires about a non-Muslim woman married to a Muslim man not being allowed to visit her family.

How long is the waiting period for women to remarry?

While three months is the general rule, the waiting period could be extended in accordance with article 138/2 of Law 28 of the Personal Status Law, which is a federal law from 2005. This law states that if the woman is pregnant, the waiting period may be extended until the baby has been delivered. The waiting period, or Iddat, is also longer in cases where the husband has died, as the woman must then wait for four months and 10 days. That period of time must be observed from the moment of death, regardless of whether a waiting period had already commenced before the husband’s death.

I am a non-Muslim woman who is married to a Muslim man. My husband told me after we got married that, by law, I am not allowed to visit my family. Is this true?

No, this is not true as UAE law is quite clear that a wife has the right to visit her family. According to the Personal Status Law, your husband cannot stop you from visiting your relatives. In fact, if he does prohibit you from doing so, it is a suitable ground for a woman to claim for divorce in the eyes of the law.

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