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Jul

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Written and reviewed by the Visa Doctor documentation team · Dubai · Rated 4.9★ on Google. See how we help.

Why this matters for UAE families

The UAE is home to millions of expatriate families, and it is very common for one parent to travel with the children while the other stays for work, or for separated and single parents to travel alone with a child. Border officers worldwide are trained to look twice when an adult crosses with a minor who has a different surname, or when only one parent is present. A clear consent letter and matching documents turn a potentially stressful questioning into a two-minute formality. Getting this wrong can mean being stopped at check-in or refused boarding — a costly mistake that is entirely preventable.

This guide explains what to carry, when a consent letter is needed, and how attestation works in the UAE. If a visa is also part of your trip, start your paperwork early with our document checklist generator and visa timeline calculator.

When do you need a parental consent letter?

There is no single global rule, but the pattern is consistent. You should prepare a consent letter when a child is travelling with only one parent, with a grandparent or other relative, with a family friend, or alone as an unaccompanied minor. Single, divorced or widowed parents should carry proof of their status — a custody order, divorce decree or death certificate — because officers may ask why the other parent is not consenting. Even where a letter is not strictly mandatory, many airlines and several countries strongly recommend or effectively require one, so carrying it costs nothing and prevents a great deal of trouble.

What a consent letter should contain

A usable travel-consent letter identifies everyone clearly and leaves no ambiguity. It should name the child (with passport and Emirates ID details and date of birth), name the accompanying adult and their relationship to the child, name the consenting parent or parents with their passport and contact details, state the destination and travel dates, and confirm that consent is given for the child to travel. It is normally signed by the non-travelling parent (or both parents if the child travels with a third party) and dated. Many destinations want the signature witnessed or notarised.

Attestation and notarisation in the UAE

Some destinations accept a simple signed letter; others want it notarised, and a few want it attested. In the UAE, a consent letter can be notarised through the Ministry of Justice or a Dubai Courts notary (in person or via the online notary service), which confirms the signatory’s identity. Where a foreign authority requires further legalisation, attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, sometimes, the destination country’s embassy may be needed. Because these requirements differ sharply from one country to the next, confirm what your destination expects before you spend on attestation you may not need.

Passports, visas and the child’s own documents

A consent letter never replaces the child’s travel documents. Every child, however young, needs their own passport — they can no longer travel on a parent’s passport. Check that the child’s passport meets the destination’s validity rule (often at least six months beyond travel) and that any required visa is in place. Children usually need the same category of Schengen, UK or US visa as adults, though the Schengen consular fee is reduced for ages 6–11 and waived under 6. For a child’s visa photo, the photo checker helps you meet the strict infant-photo rules, and if you are applying for Europe, our Schengen from Dubai guide and 90/180-day calculator keep the family itinerary compliant.

Financial proof when a child travels

When children are on the trip, consulates want to see that the accompanying adult can support everyone. That usually means slightly higher bank balances and clear evidence of who is funding the trip. Prepare your statements the same way you would for any application — our bank balance calculator and guide to bank statements and balance from Dubai explain what a healthy, believable balance looks like. A short cover letter tying the family group together also helps; the cover letter generator can draft it, and an invitation letter is useful if relatives abroad are hosting.

Airline and boarding checks

Even with visas in hand, the airline check-in desk is where many families are stopped. Carry the consent letter and the child’s birth certificate in your hand luggage, not the hold. If surnames differ between parent and child, the birth certificate that links them is essential. For unaccompanied minors, complete the airline’s own paperwork in advance and confirm the collecting adult’s details. Give yourself extra time at the airport — family document checks simply take longer.

How Visa Doctor helps

Visa Doctor is a licensed UAE visa-documentation company based in Dubai (SPC Free Zone licence 4417571.01). We help UAE families prepare complete, correctly formatted travel files: drafting parental consent letters, advising on when notarisation or attestation is needed, checking each child’s passport validity and visa category, and making sure your bank evidence supports the whole family. We do not issue visas — only governments do — and we always point you to the official destination rules, because they change. You can see how we help here. Planning the wider trip? Read our Schengen visa for Bangladeshi citizens from Dubai and US visa for Filipino citizens from Dubai guides, and gauge your file with the approval chance calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a consent letter to travel with my own child from the UAE?

If both parents travel together, usually not. If you travel with the child without the other parent, you should carry a consent letter signed by the non-travelling parent, plus the child’s birth certificate. Rules vary by destination, so confirm officially.

I am a single/divorced parent. What should I carry?

Carry the child’s passport and visa, birth certificate, and proof of your status — a custody order, divorce decree or, if the other parent has died, a death certificate. This answers the officer’s likely questions about the absent parent’s consent.

Does the consent letter need to be notarised or attested in the UAE?

It depends on the destination. Some accept a simple signed letter; others want it notarised through the Ministry of Justice or Dubai Courts, and a few require further attestation. Check your destination’s requirement before paying for legalisation.

Can a child travel on a parent’s passport?

No. Every child needs their own passport, and often their own visa. Make sure the child’s passport meets the destination’s validity rule before you book.

What about children on a Schengen or US visa?

Children generally need the same visa category as adults. The Schengen fee is reduced for ages 6 to 11 and waived under 6; US visitor visas follow the standard process. Prepare each child’s file just as carefully as your own.

Visa rules change frequently, and requirements can differ by country, airline and individual circumstances — always confirm on the official government website, or contact our agents. Visa Doctor is a private service provider and does not issue visas.