Dubai Travel Rules 2025: Grindr, Couples, and Local Laws

When you’re planning a trip to Dubai, a major global city with strict local laws that affect everything from internet use to personal relationships. Also known as the UAE’s most liberal city, it still enforces rules that surprise even experienced travelers. This isn’t about avoiding trouble—it’s about knowing what’s allowed so you can enjoy your time without unexpected risks.

Grindr, a dating app widely used by LGBTQ+ people around the world. Also known as a location-based social network, it’s blocked in Dubai under the TDRA, the government agency that controls internet access in the UAE. Even using a VPN won’t make it safe—law enforcement actively monitors for bypass attempts, and penalties can include fines, detention, or deportation. If you’re traveling to Dubai, you need to understand that digital privacy works differently here. What’s normal in one country can be illegal in another.

Same goes for unmarried couples, people living together or sharing a room without being legally married. In 2025, most hotels and Airbnbs in Dubai allow unmarried couples to share a room, especially if you’re not acting publicly romantic. But the rules are fuzzy. Same-sex couples face higher scrutiny—even if you’re quiet, staff may ask for proof of marriage. During Ramadan, the pressure increases. Public displays of affection? That’s a direct violation. You don’t need to hide your relationship, but you do need to keep it low-key.

These two topics—Dubai internet censorship and unmarried couples Dubai—aren’t random. They’re part of the same reality: Dubai welcomes tourists, but only if you follow its unwritten code. The laws aren’t always written in plain sight, but they’re enforced consistently. You won’t get arrested for using a dating app once, but you might get questioned. You won’t be kicked out of a hotel for sharing a bed, but you might get asked to move rooms.

What you’ll find here are real, up-to-date guides from October 2025. No guesswork. No outdated advice. Just what actually happens on the ground: which hotels let couples in, how police respond to app usage, and what you should never do. These aren’t hypotheticals—they’re stories from travelers who’ve been there, made mistakes, and came back with the right info.