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ewmoda

if traveling along with children, do we need husbands approval?!?

54

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 09:18

G'morning ladies...can someone please set the facts straight for me??!? I've recently heard that if I want to travel alone with my son (who will be born in April) that I will need some sort of signed document from my husband to pass through customs at the airport? I have an american passport and so will my son. My husband is Lebanese. We will both be on my husband's visa as I'm quitting my job soon. I really hope this is just a rumor, because this is beyond ridiculous!!!
thanks, Gina

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Servants Quarte...

384

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 14:29

I have only ever been questioned once, and that was in Australia. Even then, they did not ask me, they asked my then, 3 yr old son if I was his Mom.....he laughed and said no.....O M G....I looked at her and she looked at his sister who was also giggling, and then I saw my Dad, and the kids starting waving to him and saying 'look, it is Grandad'.....I was saved just in time. Scary moments. LOL <em>edited by Servants Quarters on 02/01/2011</em>

521

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 13:56

As western as this place may seem it is still the middle east and still an Islamic country

54

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 13:53

@ Saltire LOL you crack me up! Mine would probably say the same :) I'm not worried that my husband wouldn't give me the letter, I'd probably be the one to type it up anyways! Was just curious because this just seemed so old world/traditional/WTF to me...my first thought was 'what the poor little wife needs permission from her big strong husband to travel abroad?!' But after reading all the posts I see it probably has more to do with attempted kidnappings...but yes I totally agree it's a double edge sword...if you are a battered wife and just want to get the heck away from your husband you could be totally stuck, which is just absurd... anyway thanks for all the posts, very interesting and controversial topic I must say!

521

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 13:08

I have never needed one here or in other countries (DH probably forewarned them I was coming and said let them through, I don't want them back, LOL :), )

521

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 13:04

Just cover your basis He could receive a text while you are at the counter or a phone call

521

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 12:57

Just a thought but surely you could ask anyone to write the letter (even yourself) and just sign it from your husband. Is there any way when asked for a letter that the authenticity has been checked?

521

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 12:54

It is all different so just be prepared. Sometimes they call or text your husband, sometimes they ask for a letter, and sometimes nothing

11

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 12:51

From what I've heard recently, the rule of having NOC from your husband when exiting UAE will be soon implemented in the UAE. I think the same rule already exists in the KSA. "It's a bit of a 2 edged sword I think. Great idea to stop fathers "snatching" their kids away from mothers but not so good when it's about an abused woman trying to flee from a violent man." I think this rule will apply to wives only, so doesn't really help <em>edited by helen21 on 02/01/2011</em>

425

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 11:48

I'll have this letter done. I had it done years ago, at that time, French authorities specified that it was a requirement to travel alone with children. I think I have been asked only twice, both time entering the country : Once in USA, the other in Canada. For the first time in USA, I had the letter, so no worries. For the time in Canada, I didn't have the letter (I had called before to know if I needed it and they said no), and I was stopped by a bad-mood woman who wasn't happy as I checked on my cellphone the address to where I was going (at that time, phones weren't as smart as now, so, indeed, it wasn't common to check your phone). Or course, she wasn't happy as we are not supposed to have the phone before passing the customs, and she was even less happy when I shown her that I wasn't transgressing the law as my phone was on flight mode and actually not receiving any signal.... She did argue a lot, mostly to annoy me, and eventually let me go. She did argue the fact that I could be a runner and that they do that to prevent parents kidnapping children. I haven't the name of my husband and my children have both names. They have their own passport, and I signed them (saying :on behalf, the mother...). And they were big enough to answer the questions... I would suggest to have it done, just in case. They prefer handwriting. Try to have it with an undetermined date (though I'm not sure it's legal) and scan it, so you'll always have a copy. While travelling with children, better have too much papers than not enough. You don't want to get stuck with a tired child in the hand, you want to go as fast as possible out of the queues, believe me ;)

1618

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 11:44

My son is seven years old. I've travelled around the world with him since he was new born and have never been asked for any documentation other than his passport. DH and I come from different countries, DS and I hold same passport DH is sponsor. I always found it strange as my son and I have completely different names, he's blonde blue eyed and I'm not. DS also goes overseas with his gran once a year and she's never been asked for anything either. I just asummed that all the info needed was on the magnetic strip that's why there's never been any questions. However doesn't hurt to have the letter in your bag just incase.

2262

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 11:22

Think of it as Travel Insurance for Future problems :). If it is typed in your computer rather than written, save in case somewhere down the line you absolutely must have it. Print it and he signs it :) put in a safe place.

225

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 11:21

I think it's very wise to have a letter from your DH as a precaution. I have been asked several times leaving and entering the UAE with my DC and the first time, I didn't have a letter nor did I have my DS's birth certificate to prove that he was my son. Luckily, a friend of DH's was on duty at immigration at the time and could vouch for us. I've travelled to various other countries and it hasn't been an issue but I do carry an undated, signed and stamped letter from DH as well as copies of my DC's birth certs. <em>edited by Simone N on 02/01/2011</em>

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EW MASTER

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 10:55

I think it's sensible to get a letter if you're worried. I will be getting one from DH next time I travel. I'm British, he's Canadian and I've been asked in Germany and Canada. It'll be me writing the letter or no objection anyway LOL!

2340

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 10:52

As has been said, you may need it on arrival in your chosen country, if it's Australia you do, for example. ... I flew many times from Dubai to Aus (Perth, Brisbane and Sydney) with one, two or three of my children and almost always without my husband. I have never been asked for a letter. I also flew to Asian, UK and European destinations without any hassles. ginabeana - given the very different experiences of the ladies here, why not just ask your husband to write something for you and carry it just in case? :) <em>edited by Green-ish on 02/01/2011</em>

1236

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 10:34

It's a bit of a 2 edged sword I think. Great idea to stop fathers "snatching" their kids away from mothers but not so good when it's about an abused woman trying to flee from a violent man.

2262

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 10:05

well, I guess it comes down to having the letter and not using it or not having it and being turned away :)... My friend a year ago left her husband under awful circumstances. She was not stopped from getting on the plane here and She flew to Canada with her newborn and was afraid that she would be stopped from entering Canada. She said there was no problem, he looked at her face and let her go through, not sure what he saw :) BUT it was not a problem :)

bornconfused34509

542

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 10:01

My babies first flight out the UAE required permission from my husband. Every flight after that, I have had no problems. We were told by Emirates at the time that due to it being a first flight with a newborn, he would need to give permission. However I have never heard of anyone else having this problem.

96

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 09:55

How interesting! I've never been asked anything at all, anywhere (including Canada), and have traveled quite a bit with my kiddos. Easy enough to get a letter from your husband, no?

169

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 09:53

I think it depends where you are flying to. I am asked for a letter from my husband every time I enter Canada with my son.

2262

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 09:49

Not sure if they will ask or not but, alot of countries ask for a letter from a spouse. It does not matter who is travelling with the children, mom or dad, it is the same, letter of permission to take the children out of the country. It is to make sure the children are not being kidnapped by a parent. Anyway, as I said, not all ask.

2958

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 09:22

I travel most places on my own with the children and have never ever been asked for anything and my surname in my passport is different to the Childrens so even more complicated.

5499

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 09:20

I've never had a problem exiting the country, however, in a couple of countries I've been questioned and advised to get a letter from my husband giving his permission for me to travel alone with the children.

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