{"id":22611,"date":"2026-04-26T04:28:03","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T04:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=22611"},"modified":"2026-04-26T04:31:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T04:31:30","slug":"uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"Updated Travel Reforms Under Personal Status Law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"uae-child-travel-custody-law-2025\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"UAE_Child_Travel_and_Custody_Law_2025_Complete_Legal_Guide\"><\/span>UAE Child Travel and Custody Law 2025: Complete Legal Guide<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"introduction\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction\"><\/span>Introduction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>International travel is not merely recreational for numerous expatriate families in the UAE; it is essential for the preservation of family bonds that transcend national boundaries. However, in cases of separation or divorce, a child\u2019s capacity to travel overseas caused legal problems. Under the previous legal framework, the guardian had broad authority to restrict or prevent a child\u2019s travel, which often led to disputes.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights\/#UAE_Child_Travel_and_Custody_Law_2025_Complete_Legal_Guide\" >UAE Child Travel and Custody Law 2025: Complete Legal Guide<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights\/#Introduction\" >Introduction<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights\/#The_60-Day_Travel_Provision\" >The 60-Day Travel Provision<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights\/#General_Rule_Under_Article_116\" >General Rule Under Article 116<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights\/#Court_Powers_and_Exceptions\" >Court Powers and Exceptions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights\/#Comparison_With_Previous_Law_2005\" >Comparison With Previous Law (2005)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights\/#Legal_Custody_and_Document_Possession\" >Legal Custody and Document Possession<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights\/#Passport_Control_Rules\" >Passport Control Rules<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights\/#Daily_Life_Documents\" >Daily Life Documents<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights\/#Financial_Responsibility_and_Adult_Autonomy\" >Financial Responsibility and Adult Autonomy<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights\/#Financial_Duties_Under_Article_124\" >Financial Duties Under Article 124<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights\/#Rights_After_Age_18\" >Rights After Age 18<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights\/#Safeguards_Under_The_Law\" >Safeguards Under The Law<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights\/#Penalties_for_unauthorised_travel\" >Penalties for unauthorised travel<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights\/#Misuse_of_Documents\" >Misuse of Documents<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/uae-child-travel-law-2025-60-day-rule-custody-passport-rights\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"60-day-travel-provision\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_60-Day_Travel_Provision\"><\/span>The 60-Day Travel Provision<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The 60-day travel provision in Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024 helps resolve parental standoffs regarding international travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"general-rule-article-116\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"General_Rule_Under_Article_116\"><\/span>General Rule Under Article 116<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Article 116(1) says that a custodial parent must obtain prior written consent of the other parent or guardian before travelling with the child outside the state.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Article 116(2) gives the court the power to grant authorisation for a period not exceeding 60 days in a year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"court-powers-and-exceptions\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Court_Powers_and_Exceptions\"><\/span>Court Powers and Exceptions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The court may extend the 60 days based on the child\u2019s best interests.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Extensions may include medical or urgent necessities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The court must ensure safeguards for the child\u2019s return.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"comparison-old-law\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Comparison_With_Previous_Law_2005\"><\/span>Comparison With Previous Law (2005)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Aspect<\/th><th>2005 Law<\/th><th>2025 Reform<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Travel Approval<\/td><td>Guardian\u2019s written approval mandatory<\/td><td>A court can override refusal<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Time Limit<\/td><td>No clear limit<\/td><td>60-day defined period<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Flexibility<\/td><td>Limited<\/td><td>Expandable based on need<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The previous legislation permitted a parent to submit a refusal by the guardian to the judge; however, it lacked a codified, specific time-limited window for court-authorised travel. Under that previous regime, the absence of clear timeframes often resulted in prolonged travel bans that hindered the international lives of expatriates and separated families. The 2025 reforms achieve a balance between the child\u2019s right to maintain international relationships and the non-custodial parent\u2019s right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"legal-custody-document-possession\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Legal_Custody_and_Document_Possession\"><\/span>Legal Custody and Document Possession<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most stressful situations for divorced parents pertains to the custody of the child\u2018s physical documentation. The new law effectively ends this conflict by clearly dividing responsibilities to prioritise the child\u2019s daily stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"passport-control\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Passport_Control_Rules\"><\/span>Passport Control Rules<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The guardian (typically the father) keeps the passport.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He must legally deliver it to the mother when travel is planned.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If he unreasonably refuses, the court can order the mother to keep it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"daily-document-access\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Daily_Life_Documents\"><\/span>Daily Life Documents<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The custodial mother can retain:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Original birth certificate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emirates Identity Card<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This shift is profoundly human; it means that a mother doesn\u2019t have to ask for permission every time. The law gives her these powers, which take away much of the stress and allow parents to focus on raising their child rather than fighting over paperwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"financial-responsibility-adult-autonomy\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Financial_Responsibility_and_Adult_Autonomy\"><\/span>Financial Responsibility and Adult Autonomy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"financial-duties\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Financial_Duties_Under_Article_124\"><\/span>Financial Duties Under Article 124<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The father is responsible for issuing identification documents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He must ensure renewal and validity of documents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"adult-rights\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rights_After_Age_18\"><\/span>Rights After Age 18<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Children can retain their own passport.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They gain control over identity documents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2005 law originally lacked these specific mandates regarding renewal fees and automatic document retention. Historically, the absence of such precise legislation led to frequent disputes over administrative expenses and document possession, which the new reforms now decisively resolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"legal-safeguards\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Safeguards_Under_The_Law\"><\/span>Safeguards Under The Law<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"penalties-for-violation\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Penalties_for_unauthorised_travel\"><\/span>Penalties for unauthorised travel<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Imprisonment and\/or a fine between AED 5,000 and AED 50,000.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Applies if a child is taken out without permission or court order.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"misuse-of-documents\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Misuse_of_Documents\"><\/span>Misuse of Documents<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Custodians cannot use documents for unauthorised travel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cannot act against guardian\u2019s rights.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cannot act against child\u2019s best interests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If these provisions are violated, the guardian can request the court to remove document custody from the custodian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"conclusion\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2025 legal changes are a big step forward in finding a balance between the needs of modern, mobile families and the necessity for stability. These changes to custody laws in the UAE place the child\u2019s right to have a normal life first, while also making sure that both parents\u2019 rights are protected in a clear and enforceable way. The change to the Gregorian calendar under Article 2 for the calculation of all time periods is a significant update that further aligns the UAE with international standards. Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024 makes the UAE\u2019s family law a welfare-based system that focuses on the child\u2019s stability during the minority period.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UAE Child Travel and Custody Law 2025: Complete Legal Guide Introduction International travel is not merely recreational for numerous expatriate families in the UAE; it is essential for the preservation of family bonds that transcend national boundaries. However, in cases of separation or divorce, a child\u2019s capacity to travel overseas caused legal problems. Under the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1195,"featured_media":22610,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[394],"tags":[3717],"class_list":{"0":"post-22611","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uae-laws","8":"tag-uae-laws"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/260421134701.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22611","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22611"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22611\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22829,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22611\/revisions\/22829"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22611"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22611"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22611"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}