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Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Why father's consent is mandatory for children to travel abroad from Kuwait
In Kuwait, minors cannot travel abroad without a father's written consent/Representative Image TL;DR: Kuwaiti law mandates that fathers must give written consent before their minor children can travel abroad, regardless of who accompanies the child. Requirement applies to both Kuwaiti citizens and expatriate families, enforced at all departure points. Consent is obtained by signing an official form at the Passport Office or embassy. In father's absence, mothers may petition the Personal Status Court for a court-issued travel order. The rule aims to prevent child abduction and disputes arising from marital breakdowns. As of July 2025, both citizens and expatriates in Kuwait must now secure explicit written consent from the child's father before any minor under 21 can leave the country even if the child is accompanied by their mother or another guardian. The regulation, enforced by the Ministry of Interior through the Airport Passports Department, reflects Kuwait's legal framework prioritizing paternal guardianship and aims to avert unauthorized relocation and custody disputes amid marital discord. Legal Basis: Why Fathers' Consent is Required Under Kuwait's Personal Status Law, the father or male guardian is the default custodian and sponsor for children. Guardianship laws currently do not confer automatic travel permissions to mothers or other relatives, regardless of the child's age or citizenship status. This cultural and legal norm positions paternal authorization as a cornerstone of travel rights. The Ministry of Interior explicitly reinforced this in 2024 and 2025, stipulating that no expatriate child will be permitted to depart without the father's signed approval, even if travelling with the mother. The policy applies to all ports and checkpoints across Kuwait. Travel Authorization Process Fathers must appear in person at the Airport Passports Department—part of Kuwait's General Administration of Ports—holding their Civil ID and child's information. They must sign an official No Objection Certificate (NOC), which is the legally binding consent form recognized by immigration staff. Alternatively, consent can also be provided via a notarized embassy authorization: typically through translation or legalization services, particularly for expatriates. This is valid if processed at a recognized embassy or consular entity. Exceptions & Court Overrides If the father is absent, deceased, incapacitated, or refuses to sign the consent, the mother can petition the Personal Status Court in Kuwait. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Rates Undo The court evaluates travel requests based on the best interests of the child, and may authorize a one-time or permanent travel order. Courts occasionally issue temporary travel permits for emergency situations, medical needs, or educational opportunities. In recent months, there have been multiple reports of children refused boarding or denied exit at Kuwait International Airport due to missing or improper authorization. The Ministry emphasized that all legal formalities must be completed before departure, irrespective of parental relationship or sponsor status. Why It Matters Prevents International Disputes : By cementing paternal consent as mandatory, the system aims to avoid international child custody or abduction scenarios. Legal Consistency : Aligns travel policy with existing guardianship laws emphasizing the father's authority. Impact on Expat Family Planning : Particularly affects expatriate families where the father may be abroad—literally or legally—leading to added coordination. Gender & Mobility Restrictions : Although applied to both genders, in practice it disproportionately limits the autonomy of mothers and female relatives. Kuwait's firm enforcement of father-approved travel for minors marks a significant regulatory step aligning child departure policies with longstanding guardianship laws. While intended to reduce unauthorized travel and protect custody rights, the rule also reinforces paternal authority and adds procedural hurdles to family mobility. For expatriates and Kuwaiti families alike, navigating these requirements demands early planning, completion of legal formalities, and, when necessary, court intervention. FAQ 1. Is father's consent mandatory for a child to travel from Kuwait? Yes, written consent from the father is required for all minors under 21, even if traveling with their mother. 2. How can the father give consent? He must sign an official No Objection Certificate (NOC) at the Passport Office or through a notarized embassy letter. 3. What if the father is unavailable or refuses consent? The mother can apply to the Personal Status Court for a travel order. 4. Does this rule apply to expatriates too? Yes, the rule applies to both Kuwaiti and expat families without exception. 5. Can a child be stopped at the airport without consent? Yes, children without proper authorization are not allowed to leave Kuwait.
Khaleej Times
13-07-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Is a marriage by video call legally valid for Muslims?
Question: I am a Muslim planning to get married soon with my fiancée, who is currently outside the UAE. Due to a recent job change, I am unable to travel to complete the marriage formalities in person. Is it legally permissible under the UAE law to conduct the wedding via video conference? If the marriage is recognised and legally registered, will I be able to apply for a visa to bring my wife to the UAE? Answer: The Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2024 on the Issuance of the Personal Status Law, which governs Muslim personal matters in the UAE, clearly structures the legal process of marriage and requires specific conditions to be fulfilled for a marriage to be registered by the UAE courts. According to Article 16 of the UAE Personal Status Law, a marriage is a civil contract between a man and a woman, which grants each party legally enforceable rights and obligations by Article 16, which reads as 'Marriage is a contract concluded by the provisions of this law with elements and conditions between a man and a woman to perpetuate the marital relationship between them. It establishes rights and duties among spouses, aiming at chastity and purity, and the establishment of a stable family that spouses care for with affection and mercy.' Furthermore, Articles 18 and 19 of the UAE Personal Status Law provide for the elements of marriage and the eligibility for marriage. A marriage should be registered with a competent UAE authority (such as the Dubai Personal Status Court in the Emirate of Dubai). This is by Article 41(1) of the UAE Personal Status Law, 'The marriage contract shall be documented in the court by the legislation in force.' A mandatory premarital medical test conducted at a UAE government hospital is required, as prescribed by court practice. The couple must meet all legal conditions and submit the necessary documents and medical examination reports. This is by Article 41 (3) of the UAE Personal Status Law, 'The marriage contract should fulfil the requirements and submit the documents and medical reports stipulated by the legislation in force in this regard.' Under certain circumstances, a marriage performed via video conference may be considered valid, subject to the approval of the relevant authority. You may contact Dubai Courts for further advice. However, you may get married outside the UAE. However, for such a marriage to be recognised within the UAE, the following is required: The marriage must be valid and legally registered in accordance with the law of the country where it is held. The marriage certificate must be: Upon completion of the aforementioned, you may be able to obtain a residence visa for your wife.
Arab Times
01-07-2025
- Arab Times
Why Is Fathers' Consent Important for Children's Travel Abroad in Kuwait?
KUWAIT CITY, Jul 1: In Kuwait, a mother cannot take her minor child out of the country without the explicit consent of the child's father, who is legally recognized as the guardian and, in most cases, the visa sponsor under Kuwaiti law. This requirement applies to both Kuwaiti and expatriate families, with increased scrutiny for non-Kuwaiti children sponsored by their fathers. This is a precautionary measure to prevent marital disputes on custodial rights. The rule, enforced by Kuwait, mandates that fathers sign an official No Objection Certificate (NOC) allowing their children to travel, even if accompanied by the mother. This step is designed to prevent unauthorized relocation or international custody disputes. According to officials, the father must visit the Embassy or the nearest Residency Affairs Office Passport Office in person, with valid identification, to fill out and sign the required authorization form. This signed document must be presented at the airport during departure. A source familiar with the policy told Arab Times: 'This regulation is particularly important in cases of divorce, custody disputes, or when one parent resides outside Kuwait. It helps prevent child abduction and ensures both parents are aware of travel plans.' In situations where the father is unavailable, uncooperative, or legally absent (e.g., deceased, missing, or imprisoned), the mother may petition the Personal Status Court to obtain a judicial order permitting the child's travel. The court evaluates such requests based on the best interests of the child. For consular or embassy-related travel requirements, parents may also seek a notarized Travel Authorization Letter through the Ministry of Justice's Notary Public Office, or through services like BLS International, which handles documentation for Indian citizens. These authorizations typically include full names, passport numbers, travel dates, and a statement of consent, and must be signed and legalized in front of officials. Recent incidents have prompted renewed attention to the enforcement of this rule at Kuwait airport, where immigration officials have reportedly stopped minors from boarding due to a lack of proper authorization, even when traveling with their mothers. Authorities continue to advise families to plan and complete all legal formalities before booking international travel for children. HOW AND FROM WHERE TO GET AUTHORIZATION Embassy Obtain a form from the embassy website or visit your embassy Required documents: Travel NOC/ Authorization for Minor Child typed or filled in English (As per your embassy suggestion) Self-attested Passport and Civil ID copy of the parents. Photocopy of the Passport and Civil ID of minor child. Self-attested Passport and Civil ID copy of authorized person traveling along with the child. If only single parent is in Kuwait, need consent from other parent for travel. Please Note: Both parents presence is mandatory. The Ap Applicant must produce Passport and Civil ID in original for verification. Spouse name should be entered in the both husband and wife passports (if both passports are issued after marriage). If the spouse's name is endorsed on one of the passports, but the other passport was issued after marriage, copy of duly attested Marriage Certificate must be submitted. The original Marriage Certificate must be presented for verification. If neither the husband nor the wife has the spouse's name endorsed on their passports, and the passports were issued after marriage, one of them must have the spouse's name added to their passport. Copy of duly attested Marriage Certificate must be submitted, and the original Marriage Certificate must be presented for verification. Visit the Airport Passports Department (part of the General Department of Residency Affairs) or your local Residency Affairs office. The father/sponsor must sign the official consent/declaration form in person before travel. This is the legally recognized form used by Kuwait immigration authorities Travel NOC/ Authorization for Minor Child by Indian Embassy Form
