Couples from across the globe can now officially marry through the Abu Dhabi government’s TAMM application without physically traveling to the emirate, the project’s head revealed to AFP on Tuesday.

While the concept of virtual marriage remains relatively new, Ukraine introduced a similar initiative last year, enabling couples separated by war to wed through its government platform.

The United Arab Emirates initially experimented with online wedding ceremonies for residents during the Covid-19 lockdowns. However, the updated system extends its reach significantly, said Mohamed Al Askar, who oversees the TAMM app for Abu Dhabi’s government.

“It’s open to everyone. Anyone wishing to get married in Abu Dhabi, no matter their nationality, can access the service online,” Al Askar told AFP during the Gitex technology exhibition in Dubai.

“Users can complete every step online without visiting any office. We are among the pioneers in offering such a service,” he added.

For a fee of 800 dirhams ($218), couples can fill out online forms, upload required documents, schedule an officiant, and even host a virtual wedding ceremony, all within 24 hours. The platform is accessible to Emirati citizens, foreign residents, and even non-residents, though the latter must have a local legal representative.

The UAE remains the only Gulf nation permitting non-religious civil marriages, reserved exclusively for expatriates. The digital marriage option is part of the latest version of the TAMM app, which offers over 1,000 government services online to Abu Dhabi residents.

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