Which country's law applies to my divorce as a foreigner in the UAE?

For non-Muslim foreigners, UAE law generally lets you ask the court to apply the personal status law of your home country to your divorce, or to proceed under the UAE's civil personal status framework, which provides a no-fault civil divorce option. Which path you choose affects grounds for divorce, custody, maintenance, and the division of assets, so the decision matters. If both spouses share a nationality, courts will often consider that home-country law; where nationalities differ or one party objects, the analysis becomes more complex and the court decides which law applies. For Muslims, the UAE Personal Status Law typically governs. In practice, you must usually plead and prove the content of any foreign law you want applied, often through an expert or certified translation. Family matters are heard in the onshore courts (for example Dubai Courts or the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court), not DIFC or ADGM. Because applicable-law questions are fact-specific, get tailored advice. You can compare verified UAE family lawyers on LEXAI, and confirm procedure with the relevant court.