Child Travel Consent in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Taking a Child Abroad Without Both Parents

Can One Parent Take a Child Abroad from the UAE?

Estimated reading time: 18 minutes

The legal starting point

For many families in Dubai and across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), international travel with children is routine. A parent may need to travel for holidays, medical treatment, school breaks, family visits, relocation discussions, educational purposes or urgent personal reasons. The difficulty begins when the child is travelling without both parents, when the parents are separated, when custody is disputed, or when 1 parent fears that the child may not be returned to the UAE.

The search question is usually simple: can one parent take child abroad UAE. The legal answer is more precise. In the UAE, the issue is not only whether an airline will allow boarding or whether immigration will permit exit. It is whether the travelling parent has the necessary custody authority, guardianship position, written consent, court permission, and possession of the child’s travel documents. This is why child travel consent UAE matters should be treated as family law matters before they become airport problems.

As of 13 October 2026, the principal federal law governing custody travel in general personal status matters is Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law, issued on 1 October 2024 and in force from 15 April 2025. This law replaced Federal Law No. (28) of 2005 Concerning Personal Status, and any provision conflicting with the new law was repealed. Accordingly, advice based only on the former 2005 Personal Status Law must be reviewed against the current 2024 framework.

The scope of Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law is also important. Article 1 provides that the law applies to UAE citizens where both parties or 1 of them is Muslim. It may also apply to non-Muslim UAE citizens unless they have provisions specific to their sect or religion, or unless another law permitted by UAE legislation is agreed. It also applies to non-UAE citizens unless 1 of them insists on applying his or her law, or another law agreed to be applied, where this is permitted by UAE legislation. The applicable legal regime must therefore be identified before advising whether a parent may lawfully travel with a child.

For non-Muslim civil personal status cases, the relevant framework may also include Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2022 On the Civil Personal Status and Cabinet Resolution No. (122) of 2023 Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2022 on the Civil Personal Status, issued on 27 November 2023 and effective from 16 December 2023. These rules are particularly important where joint custody applies after divorce. Where proceedings are before a court applying a specific local civil family law regime, such as in Abu Dhabi, that local regime should also be reviewed separately.

The welfare of the child remains central. Federal Law No. (3) of 2016 On Child Rights Law Wadeema protects the child’s right to care, family security, protection and safety. In practical terms, the court will usually consider whether the travel is genuinely temporary, whether the child will return, whether schooling and health needs are protected, whether the trip is consistent with existing custody or visitation arrangements, and whether the travel undermines the other parent’s lawful relationship with the child.

When a parent can travel with a child

Under the current general Personal Status Law, Article 116 of Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law deals specifically with travelling outside the UAE with a child in custody. The custodial parent may travel with the child outside the State with the written approval of the other parent, or with the approval of the guardian over the person if the father has died.

This means that, in ordinary custody situations governed by this law, a minor travel consent letter UAE is not merely a formality. It is often the document that proves that the non-travelling parent has agreed to a temporary trip. The letter should be clear, specific and supported by identity documents. A vague message, an informal conversation, or a past habit of travel may not be enough if a dispute arises later.

If the non-travelling parent refuses consent, the travelling parent should not assume that the refusal can be ignored. Article 116 of Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law allows the court to authorise the custodial parent to travel with the child for a period or periods not exceeding a total of 60 days per year, subject to a guarantee acceptable to the court securing the child’s return. The year is calculated from the first permission. The court may exceed the 60-day limit where travel is for the child’s benefit, for medical treatment, or for a necessity determined by the court after hearing the other parent or the relevant guardian, unless attendance is impossible.

This rule is particularly important for parents searching for taking my child abroad from Dubai because the safest route depends on the facts. If both parents agree, written consent is usually the foundation. If 1 parent refuses without reasonable grounds, a court application for travel permission for child UAE may be required. If there is already a court order, parenting agreement, custody judgment, visitation judgment, travel ban, passport order or pending family case, that instrument must be reviewed before tickets are booked.

Where the person wishing to travel is not a parent, the rule is stricter. Article 116 of Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law provides that a non-parent custodian may travel with the child outside the UAE with the written consent of the parents, or 1 parent if the other has died, or the guardian over the person in the relevant circumstances. The court may also authorise a non-parent custodian to travel with the child for periods not exceeding a total of 60 days per year, again with a guarantee acceptable to the court, and may exceed that period for the child’s benefit, treatment or necessity.

Unauthorised travel with a child in custody may give rise to criminal liability. Article 252 of Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law provides that a custodian who travels outside the United Arab Emirates with a child in custody without the permission of the guardian or the competent court, or unlawfully uses or benefits from a document or copy belonging to the child, may be punished by imprisonment and a fine of not less than AED 5,000 and not more than AED 50,000, or either of these penalties. However, pursuant to Article 255 of the same Law, criminal proceedings for an offence under Article 252 may only be initiated upon a complaint from the person concerned. Withdrawal of the complaint has the consequences prescribed by Article 255, depending on whether a final judgment has been issued. Accordingly, compliance with the applicable statutory requirements concerning parental consent, guardianship and judicial permission is essential.

Joint custody and civil personal status cases

In civil personal status matters, the travel rule must be read with the joint custody framework. Article 10 of Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2022 On the Civil Personal Status establishes the civil personal status custody framework for persons within its scope. In practice, this framework gives particular importance to joint parental responsibility after divorce, subject to the court’s power to determine what serves the child’s best interests.

Article 21 of Cabinet Resolution No. (122) of 2023 Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2022 on the Civil Personal Status provides that where joint custody is in effect, either parent may not travel with the child outside the UAE by unilateral decision if the other party objects, except with the permission of the judge after an application to the competent court.

The court may require the parent requesting travel to provide sufficient guarantees for the child’s return to the UAE on the specified date. The application remains subject to the discretionary authority of the competent court. Therefore, joint custody does not mean that each parent may independently remove the child from the country whenever convenient. It means that both parents remain legally involved in major decisions affecting the child, including international travel where there is an objection.

Article 22 of Cabinet Resolution No. (122) of 2023 Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2022 on the Civil Personal Status allows either parent, after divorce, to submit an application to the competent court to prevent the child from travelling for a temporary period, stating the objections to the travel. The court will consider the reasons, evidence, proposed trip, risk of non-return and the child’s interests.

For non-Muslim expatriate families, this distinction is critical. Some parents believe that because they have joint custody, they do not need further consent. That may be correct where there is no objection, no travel ban, no contrary court order, and the travel is consistent with the applicable custody arrangement. However, once the other parent objects, the safer and legally correct route is to obtain judicial permission before travelling.

A properly drafted travel application should explain:

• The destination country and city.
• The exact departure and return dates.
• The child’s school schedule and whether the travel falls during school holidays.
• The purpose of travel, such as family visit, holiday, treatment or educational need.
• The accommodation address abroad.
• The person accompanying the child.
• The proposed contact arrangements with the non-travelling parent.
• The guarantee offered for the child’s return.
• Evidence of previous compliance with return dates, if applicable.

Passport and identity documents

A common practical dispute is not the ticket but the passport. One parent may hold the child’s passport and refuse to release it. Article 117 of Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law addresses this issue directly. It provides that the guardian may keep the passport of the child in custody, except in the case of travel, when it must be handed to the custodian.

If the guardian is obstructive in handing over the passport when needed, the court may order that the passport be kept by the custodian. The same article recognises the custodian’s right to keep the child’s original birth certificate and other identification documents, or authenticated copies, and the child’s identity card. It also recognises that a person who has reached 18 years of age and has no impediment to capacity may keep his or her own passport and identification documents unless the court decides otherwise.

This is important in child travel consent UAE cases because written permission may be of little practical use if the passport is withheld. A parent seeking travel permission should therefore consider whether the application must include a request for delivery of the passport, birth certificate, Emirates identity card, residence visa copy, insurance card, medical documents or other documents required for travel.

For travel through Dubai International Airport, Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah International Airport or any other airport in the UAE, parents should also check the requirements of the destination country and any transit country. Some countries require a notarised or attested consent letter when a child enters with only 1 parent, with a relative, with a school group, with a domestic worker, or alone. Airline requirements may also differ from court requirements. Compliance with airline rules does not replace compliance with a family court order, and a court order does not automatically remove a destination country’s immigration requirements.

A strong minor travel consent letter UAE should normally include:

• The full name of the child as shown in the passport.
• The child’s date of birth and passport number.
• The child’s Emirates identity number, if applicable.
• The names, passport numbers and contact details of both parents.
• The name and passport details of the accompanying adult.
• The destination, route, airline and flight numbers, if known.
• The departure date and return date.
• A clear statement that the non-travelling parent consents to temporary travel.
• Authority for urgent medical decisions during the trip, if appropriate.
• The overseas address and emergency contact details.
• Copies of the parents’ passports, residence documents and the child’s birth certificate.
• Signature before a notary public or proper attestation where required.

Child travel ban in Dubai and court permission when consent is refused

A child travel ban Dubai issue usually arises when 1 parent fears that the other parent may leave the UAE with the child and not return. The court does not treat every parental fear as sufficient. The applicant must present facts and evidence showing a real concern, such as previous removal without consent, refusal to disclose travel details, relocation preparations, termination of residence arrangements, concealment of passports, disruption of schooling, or threats not to return.

Dubai has local procedural guidance relevant to these issues. Resolution No. (3) of 2021 Approving the Family Law Regulatory Procedures Manual of the Dubai Courts refers to factors considered in child travel matters. Because it predates Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law, it should be applied only to the extent that it is compatible with the current federal law and any applicable court practice.

The Dubai procedural guide refers to matters such as the nationality of the guardian, custodian and child, evidence that a parent is preparing to travel with the child, proof of previous travel without consent or court permission, evidence that travel may cause physical, health, moral or safety harm to the child, valid residence in the UAE, and any other circumstance the judge considers sufficient.

When deciding whether to permit travel despite an objection, the same type of practical evidence becomes important. The court may look at the destination, distance, safety, reason for travel, length of stay, school commitments, age of the child, accompanying persons, existing custody or visitation judgments, previous travel permissions, and whether the travelling parent previously returned the child on time.

A judicial order preventing a child from travelling is a protective measure intended to safeguard the child’s interests and the lawful rights of the parents or guardian, rather than a sanction against either parent. The duration and legal effect of the restriction depend on the applicable legislation and the terms of the judicial order. In particular, Article 22 of Cabinet Resolution No. 122 of 2023 permits the competent court, following divorce, to prohibit a child from travelling for a temporary period in cases governed by the federal civil personal status framework. A parent seeking cancellation, variation or suspension of a travel restriction may apply to the competent court and submit appropriate safeguards, including confirmed return arrangements, evidence of continuing residence and school enrolment in the United Arab Emirates, written undertakings or guarantees acceptable to the court. Any variation or suspension remains subject to judicial approval.

If the non-travelling parent refuses consent, the travelling parent should avoid self-help. Removing a child in breach of a custody order, travel ban, or clear legal objection may damage the travelling parent’s position in later custody and visitation proceedings. It may also lead to urgent applications for return, passport control measures, enforcement proceedings and stricter future travel conditions.

A travel permission application should be focused and supported by documents. The court is usually more receptive where the request is specific, temporary and transparent. A request for 10 days during school holidays to visit grandparents with return tickets and full contact details is very different from an open-ended request to travel abroad without return arrangements.

The parent applying for travel permission should normally prepare:

• The child’s passport, residence visa and Emirates identity card copies.
• The child’s birth certificate and proof of parentage.
• The marriage certificate, divorce judgment, custody judgment or settlement agreement.
• Any visitation order or parenting arrangement.
• The proposed flight booking and return ticket.
• School calendar and school approval if travel affects school time.
• Medical report if travel is for treatment.
• Invitation letter or proof of family address abroad, if relevant.
• Evidence of the other parent’s refusal or unreasonable delay.
• A proposed guarantee for the child’s return.

The parent opposing travel should also present evidence, not only suspicion. Useful evidence may include messages showing an intention not to return, previous breach of return dates, lack of ties to the UAE, concealment of travel documents, withdrawal from school, sale of household assets, termination of employment or residence, or proposed travel to a country where return may be practically difficult.

The court’s task is to balance rights. The child has a right to travel where travel is beneficial and safe. The travelling parent may have a legitimate family, educational or medical reason. The non-travelling parent has a right not to be deprived of lawful custody, guardianship, visitation or parental relationship. The child’s welfare is the central standard used to reconcile these competing interests.

Practical rules for Dubai families

Parents asking about taking my child abroad from Dubai should plan the legal side before booking. The most common mistake is to treat travel consent as an airport document only. In reality, the more important question is whether there is a family law restriction already in place or likely to be filed before departure.

The following practical approach is recommended:

• Check whether there is any custody judgment, divorce judgment, parenting agreement, visitation order, settlement, travel ban or passport order.
• Confirm whether the case falls under the general Personal Status Law, the federal civil personal status regime, or another applicable regime.
• Obtain written consent from the other parent if consent is required or advisable.
• Use precise travel dates and avoid open-ended permission wording.
• Have the consent letter notarised or attested if the destination country, airline, school, embassy or facts require it.
• Keep copies of the child’s birth certificate, passport, Emirates identity card, residence visa and insurance.
• Check the destination country’s requirements for minors travelling with only 1 parent.
• Check the airline’s unaccompanied minor or young passenger requirements where the child is travelling alone or with another adult.
• Apply to the competent court if consent is refused, if there is an objection, or if a travel ban exists.
• Do not travel in breach of a court order or while a child travel ban Dubai order is active.

For school trips, travel with grandparents, travel with domestic workers, sports trips, medical escorts or travel with family friends, written authority should be even clearer. The accompanying adult should have permission from the legally authorised parent or parents, the child’s documents, emergency contact information, medical insurance details, and any court order showing authority if the parents are separated.

If the child is travelling alone, airline rules become important. Airlines may impose forms, age limits, escort requirements and handover procedures for unaccompanied minors and young passengers. However, airline acceptance does not decide custody rights. A parent should still ensure that the child’s travel complies with court orders, parental authority rules and any applicable child travel consent UAE requirement.

Parents should also distinguish temporary travel from relocation. A short holiday, medical trip or family visit with a fixed return date is different from moving the child’s residence abroad. A proposed permanent or long-term relocation may raise wider custody, schooling, contact, maintenance and jurisdiction issues. It should not be disguised as a temporary trip.

The safest legal answer

The safest answer to can one parent take child abroad UAE is this: yes, 1 parent may be able to take a child abroad from the UAE, but only if the travel is consistent with the applicable custody regime, the other parent’s required written consent has been obtained, or the competent court has granted permission where consent is refused or an objection exists.

For parents under the general Personal Status Law, Article 116 of Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law makes written approval or court authorisation central. Article 117 of Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law addresses possession and delivery of the child’s passport and identity documents. Article 252 of Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law underlines the seriousness of unauthorised travel with a child in custody.

For parents under joint custody in the civil personal status regime, Article 21 of Cabinet Resolution No. (122) of 2023 Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2022 on the Civil Personal Status prevents unilateral travel where the other parent objects, unless judicial permission is obtained. Article 22 of the same Cabinet Resolution allows an application to prevent the child from travelling for a temporary period after divorce, subject to the court’s discretion.

A minor travel consent letter UAE is valuable, but it is not a substitute for a court order where a court order is legally required. A travel permission for child UAE application is valuable, but it must be prepared with evidence and realistic safeguards. A child travel ban Dubai application can protect a child from wrongful removal, but it must be based on facts and not merely pressure in a parental dispute.

Before travelling, parents should obtain a legal review from a UAE family law firm if there is any dispute, divorce, custody order, joint custody arrangement, withheld passport, previous travel breach or fear of non-return. In child travel cases, the best legal solution is usually the one prepared before the airport, before the tickets become urgent, and before the child is placed in the middle of a parental conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can one parent take a child abroad from the UAE without the other parent?

One parent may be able to take a child abroad from the UAE, but only if the travel is consistent with the applicable custody regime, any required written consent has been obtained, and there is no court order, objection or travel ban preventing the trip. If consent is refused or an objection exists, court permission may be required.

Is a minor travel consent letter enough in the UAE?

A minor travel consent letter can be important evidence of approval, but it is not always enough. If a court order, joint custody objection, travel ban, passport dispute or custody case exists, the parent may need judicial permission or further directions from the competent court.

What happens if the other parent refuses consent?

If the other parent refuses consent, the travelling parent should avoid self-help and consider applying to the competent court for travel permission. The application should explain the destination, dates, purpose of travel, accommodation, return arrangements, contact arrangements and guarantees for the child’s return.

Can a parent stop a child from leaving Dubai?

A parent may apply for a temporary child travel ban where there are facts and evidence showing a real concern that the child may be removed or not returned. The court will consider the evidence, the child’s welfare, the proposed travel and the risk of non-return.

Who should hold the child’s passport?

Passport possession depends on the applicable law and any court order. In general personal status cases, the guardian may keep the passport except in the case of travel, when it must be handed to the custodian. If the passport is withheld, the court may be asked to order delivery or make another suitable arrangement.