There are relatively few countries where it’s explicitly stated in law (or clearly stated in official travel guidance) that unmarried couples are not allowed to live together. But in several places, broader “morality” laws (e.g., khalwat, zina) can in practice affect cohabitation.
Countries where official travel guidance explicitly says unmarried couples can’t live/stay together
- Qatar – Official travel guidance commonly states that unmarried couples living together is illegal.
- Oman – Official travel guidance commonly states it’s illegal to live with someone of the opposite sex if you’re not married or closely related.
- Kuwait – Official travel guidance commonly notes it’s against the law for unmarried couples to live or stay together.
Other Muslim-majority countries and regions
In many Muslim-majority countries and regions, local laws, public morality rules, or hotel policies can mean that unmarried couples may sometimes be refused a shared room or asked questions at check-in. Because these rules can give hotels significant discretion to decline, this can apply to both small hotels and large hotel chains.
List of “Muslim countries” where you should double-check the rules:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Brunei
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Comoros
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Libya
- Malaysia
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Uganda
- Uzbekistan
- United Arab Emirates
- Yemen
Places with “morality” laws that can criminalize cohabitation or “being alone together”
- Brunei – Khalwat (“close proximity”) rules can cover living together/cohabiting outside marriage.
- Indonesia (Aceh province) – Regional sharia-based regulations criminalize certain intimacy/sex outside marriage and are enforced in practice.
- Malaysia (for Muslims; varies by state) – In some jurisdictions, syariah rules include “khalwat” (often applying to Muslims), and there have been enforcement actions linked to this.
Important to interpret this correctly
In many countries, it’s sex outside marriage that’s criminalized — not always “living together” explicitly. But the risk can still be higher if you share accommodation, especially if there’s a complaint or a report.
Rules can differ for citizens vs. foreigners, Muslims vs. non-Muslims, and even by region within the same country.
ResMi Pass – A Relationship Declaration for International Travel
ResMi Pass is a relationship declaration for couples travelling to destinations where cultural or religious regulations may affect shared accommodation, check-ins, or travel arrangements. By providing a document that confirms your relationship, it helps reduce misunderstandings and unnecessary hassle, so you can focus on your trip with greater peace of mind.