Dubai has introduced new procedures allowing divorced parents to travel internationally with their children more easily.
This new procedure, revealed on Thursday, abolishes the previous requirement for a travel ban, provided the sponsor (typically the other parent) grants approval.
Under the previous system, divorced parents faced cumbersome bureaucratic hurdles when seeking to travel with their children.
Salem Mohammed Al Misfri, head of the Personal Status Execution Department at Dubai Courts, noted that the earlier process involved multiple steps, including judicial decisions and involvement of the Criminal Investigation Department to temporarily lift travel bans.
"This new process accelerates the procedures of cancelling the travel ban in the system immediately after it is signed by the judge,"
stated a Dubai Courts spokesperson.
The update comes as a relief to many divorced parents, primarily mothers who often have custody of their children under UAE law, while fathers serve as guardians responsible for financial support. Previously, exiting the UAE with a child without the consent of the other parent could be considered child abduction, with legal consequences outlined by the UAE government.
The latest initiative is expected to facilitate smoother travel arrangements for divorced parents, ensuring greater ease of access for international travel without compromising on legal safeguards. This move underscores Dubai's commitment to enhancing family law procedures, aiming to balance parental rights with legal responsibilities in matters of child custody and travel.
News Source: Khaleej Times
