Dubai Courts announce major travel rule change for divorced parents and their children

The new rules make it easier for parents to travel outside of the country with children and removes administrative and bureaucratic steps.

The new guidelines lift a travel ban on children and are part of the D33 Social Agenda vision for communities in the emirate.

Dubai Courts lift divorced family travel ban

A statement on social media platform X, said: “Dubai Courts adopt a new procedure to facilitate the travel of custodians and their dependents in line with the ‘Social Agenda 33,’ a roadmap for Dubai’s community for the next ten years.

“This aims to achieve family happiness and cohesion provide the highest standards in housing and healthcare, and ensure access to building an educational system capable of meeting Dubai’s future aspirations while fortifying its achievements with a society that is most tolerant and adheres to national identity.”

Dubai Courts adopt a new procedure to facilitate the travel of custodians and their dependents in line with the ‘Dubai Social Agenda 33,’ a roadmap for Dubai’s community for the next ten years. This aims to achieve family happiness and cohesion pic.twitter.com/Avnun6JRv8

— Dubai Courts – محاكم دبي (@DubaiCourts) June 13, 2024

Under the previous procedure it was necessary to:  

• Issue a decision from the judges allowing the plaintiff to travel with their children
• Approve a sponsor to ensure the child’s return  
• Send an exemption letter to the Criminal Investigation Department to temporarily lift a travel ban

According to the Courts social media post, the new procedure is to:

• Issue a decision from the judges allowing the plaintiff to travel with their children
• Approve a sponsor to ensure the child’s return
• Lift the travel ban on children through the Freedom Restriction System     
• Reinstate the travel ban on the children after their return and re-entry into the country and lifting the travel ban on the sponsor

The new service can be obtained by submitting a request to register a file (an order on a petition – permission to travel with children for a specific period).