The UAE, as a Muslim country, implements Sharia law which prohibits the purchase and consumption of alcohol.
However, the UAE authorities are aware that drinking alcohol is popular among non-Muslims, so for that reason the UAE sets rules for purchasing and drinking alcohol.
In hotels in all emirates except Sharjah - where the sale, consumption or possession of alcohol is prohibited - alcohol is offered to customers. Some embassies also offer alcohol for sale to their nationals.
Similarly, in all emirates except Sharjah, alcohol can be purchased from licensed retailers by non-Muslims who obtain a "liquor permit" from the emirate that issued the residence visa.
Liquor permits are issued by the police departments in all emirates to non-Muslims ages 21 and over who fulfil the minimum salary requirements.
The permit or licence, valid for a year, allows the holder to buy a certain amount of alcohol per month. Purchases from retailers that do not have official approval are illegal.
Only the husband in a married couple can apply for a licence, but his wife can use the licence if her details are included in the application form.
In Dubai, licences can be applied for at police headquarters or any branch of retailers MMI or A&E, which sell alcohol.
Bring along the completed application form - forms can be obtained from MMI or A&E branches - along with the Dh150 fee and the documents indicated in the table.
If a husband wants his wife to be able to use the licence, a passport-size photograph of her must also be included.
After about 10 days, subject to approval, the licence will be issued. The amount of alcohol it permits the holder to buy will be determined by Dubai Police according to factors such as salary level, age and family size.
If the residence visa expires before the licence does, the licence must be renewed by submitting it along with another completed application form and a photocopy of the new residence visa.
At most alcohol retailers in Dubai, a municipality tax is levied on each sale.
Requirements
Individuals, free zone employees, semi-government employees, self employed individuals, Green Book holders and Smart Card holders will need:
Passport copy
Residence visa copy
Tenancy contract copy (or NOC letter from leaseholder)
Labour contract copy (only required from Smart Card holders who have changed sponsorship)
Trade licence copy
One recent passport size photograph
Free zone authority stamp on application form
Salary Certificate
Key points to keep in mind
Punishments
Non-Muslims who possess a valid liquor permit can transport alcohol from one emirate to another emirate but the quantity should be for personal use only.
If caught transporting a large quantity, the alcohol and vehicle will be seized and the person or persons will face punishment as per law.
Consuming alcohol is not allowed in unlicensed public places. Drunkenness in public is also an offence.
Those caught drunk or drinking in public may be punished as per Sharia law which implements lashes, but the judge can replace lashing with other punishments such as a jail term, fine or deportation.
There is a zero tolerance policy towards drinking and driving.
Muslims
A strict regulation to remember is that Muslims are not allowed to buy or consume alcohol in the UAE, and people are banned from offering or selling alcohol to Muslims.
That means that all the rules that describe the processes allowing people to purchase and consume alcohol apply only to non-Muslims.
It is important that non-Muslims are considerate and ensure that their decision to buy or consume alcohol legally does not cause offence to Muslims.
Your comments
What is the salary requirement to apply for liquor licence?
Rowena
Dubai,UAE
Posted:
I have been a permit holder for a few years now. I feel that the rules and regulations governing this should be printed and handed over to the applicant. I say this because there seems to be no clarity on issues such as: a) whether a permit holder from Dubai can buy from any emirate and transport it back to Dubai and b) If only permit holders are allowed to consume spirits in bars (apart from hotel guests) etc.
Vivek
Dubai,UAE
Posted:
