Dubai resident Sara (name changed on request) made the difficult decision to end her marriage after seven years. The most shocking part for her was when her husband quietly left the country, leaving her to care for their two children alone. Despite her attempts to place a travel ban on him, the court denied her request, stating that a wife cannot impose such a ban on her husband.
The 31-year-old expat, originally from India, shared her story with Khaleej Times. Her husband moved to Saudi Arabia in September 2024, just two months after she initiated divorce proceedings. "After I asked for a divorce, he sold his car, closed his business, and terminated our apartment lease. I had already moved out with the kids by then. Next thing I knew, he had left the country," she recounted.
Before his departure, he canceled the children's visas, forcing Sara to sponsor them and cover their expenses. Throughout their marriage, her husband had three failed businesses, which she supported financially by taking out loans totaling Dh120,000 in her name. She also paid for their child's tuition and rent whenever possible, as he struggled financially. The only proof she has of these loans are transfer receipts showing the money was sent to his account.
The divorce case has made little progress, as her husband has not attended any of the hearings following the initial consultation sessions. "I've been attending the hearings alone. I'm struggling to pay for my child's education and other expenses while also trying to repay the loan I took for him. Legal fees are too high for me to hire a lawyer," Sara explained. She is currently seeking help from Al Adheed Centre, a typing centre near Dubai Court that offers judicial services.
Can a wife impose a travel ban on her husband? Samara Iqbal, a founding partner at Aramas International Lawyers, clarified the legal stance. "In the UAE, a wife cannot directly impose a travel ban on her husband. However, certain circumstances, such as legal disputes, debt-related issues, or custody cases, might lead to a court-issued travel ban," she explained.
While a wife cannot initiate a travel ban on her own, legal processes and court rulings in specific cases can result in a travel ban being placed on a husband. Additionally, a travel ban may be applied to children during or after a divorce to prevent one parent from taking them out of the country without court permission.
Regarding the possibility of retrieving money, Samara noted that it is generally difficult if the loans were taken out in Sara's name. Transfer receipts to her husband's account may not be sufficient evidence for the court. In the UAE, the authority only considers the person whose name is on the loan or property as the rightful owner. Clear evidence of a written agreement between the partners is necessary for the court to take action.
