The UAE has recently introduced its new family law 2025 to further protect children’s welfare and uphold family values with stringent penalties for traveling with minors without authorization. These new regulations will be effective from April 15, 2025, and are intended to protect children and their legal position. But what are these changes going to mean for you and your family?
The new laws state that any custodian leaving the country with a child in their care without the permission of the child’s guardian or a court order will be fined between Dh5,000 and Dh100,000 and may be imprisoned. This provision is intended to secure children’s travel and ensure that their legal rights are not violated.
The UAE commitment toward protection of children can be witnessed in the new family law 2025. The implication of the UAE’s policy on unauthorized travel with minors in such a way as to make the penalty very severe — with a fine of up to one hundred thousand dirhams and/or imprisonment for one year — is to make sure that the new law must be compiled properly and that children are always taken care of.
The following are situations when one might engage in unauthorized minor travel;
The law demands that all travel of minors must be accompanied by proper documentation; for instance, an affidavit of parental consent.
An affidavit of parental consent is a legal document that shows the consent of parents for a child to travel with someone who is not a parent. This document is very useful in preventing illegal travel and assuring that the child’s travel is allowed by their legal guardians.
Some airlines and immigration authorities may demand this documentation to ensure that the child is not traveling without the consent of their parents or guardians.
The process of getting an affidavit of parental consent is quite simple. The parent or guardian has to fill out a consent form containing specific information about the child, the traveling party, and the destination of the journey.
The form has to be signed and notarized for it to be valid. When the document is ready, it should be brought along on the trip and produced when asked by authorities.
It is wise for parents to also create other legal documents that the child may need to travel, for example, power of attorney for child travel which authorizes the traveling party to act as guardian of the child. This document is useful in case of an emergency or when the child needs medical attention while traveling.
Under the new family law 2025 now both parents have an equal right to travel with the minor child for up to 60 days a year, or longer in special cases.
Moreover, the custody age has also been raised to 18 for both boys and girls, and 15 year old children can choose which parent to live with, subject to the court’s approval.
These new regulations are, therefore, a must-enforce for airlines and immigration authorities. They are in charge of ensuring that all travelers, including minors, have the right documents before a person can board a flight or leave for another country.
The consequences of failing to present the right documentation include being denied boarding, incurring fines and other legal actions. There may be specific policies of airlines to travel with minors so it is wise for parents and guardians to find out about them before traveling.
This may involve submitting additional forms of identification, such as a birth certificate or passport, and making sure that all documents are current and valid.
Failure to comply with the new regulations can have very severe consequences. Traveling with minors without the right documentation can lead to a fine of as much as Dh100,000 and/or imprisonment for parents or guardians.
Along with the legal and financial penalties of unauthorized travel, the child may also suffer emotionally and psychologically, feeling confused, scared or stressed by the situation.
Thus, parents and guardians can avoid these consequences by complying with the new regulations and ensuring that all travel with minors is properly documented and authorized, so that the child is safe and happy.
Traveling with minors comes with a lot of hassle and can get quite complicated in terms of legal matters. HHS Lawyers in Dubai can help in the preparation of required legal documents such as affidavits of parental consent and powers of attorney for child travel. They are there to help you ensure that your child’s travel is legal in UAE laws and that their safety and legal rights are protected.
New Family Law 2025 in the UAE has made it imperative to obtain the right legal consent when traveling with minors. These rules are in place to protect children and if you comply with them you will not be fined and your child will not be traveling illegally. If you need help with legal documents or have any queries about the new regulations then you can contact HHS Lawyer in UAE for the advice you need.
Do you have a trip with your child coming up? HHS Dubai Lawyers can assist you with the legal aspects of your trip to make your travel arrangements seamless.