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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Dubai single mum

164 replies

Shazzashaz · 10/02/2026 19:26

Hi, posting on behalf of my daughter who is just starting court proceedings to relocate to Dubai with her daughter as dad not give permission. Just seeing if there are other mums going through or have gone through this for advice and support on how to get a good outcome on a caffcass 7 report done. X

OP posts:
KitTea3 · 10/02/2026 21:53

Assuming she meets the legal requirements for income required to sponsor the child's visa, she's still going to need a No Objection Letter from the child's father.

I'm not entirely sure how that process works but it's unlikely they'd let her in without some confirmation or consent of the birth father

Adelle79360 · 10/02/2026 21:56

KitTea3 · 10/02/2026 21:53

Assuming she meets the legal requirements for income required to sponsor the child's visa, she's still going to need a No Objection Letter from the child's father.

I'm not entirely sure how that process works but it's unlikely they'd let her in without some confirmation or consent of the birth father

That’s why she’s issued court proceedings, to get the relevant permission from the court for the daughter to be able to go with her to Dubai.

Anyahyacinth · 10/02/2026 21:57

catlovingdoctor · 10/02/2026 20:09

Well, because the cost of living in the UK is crippling? Because of the complete breakdown of law and order here, contrasted to the much safer day-to-day life in the UAE? The positive impact of better weather? To name a few...

Complete breakdown??

PixellatedPixie · 10/02/2026 22:15

catlovingdoctor · 10/02/2026 20:09

Well, because the cost of living in the UK is crippling? Because of the complete breakdown of law and order here, contrasted to the much safer day-to-day life in the UAE? The positive impact of better weather? To name a few...

“breakdown of law and order” 😂 - the UK is own do the safest countries in the world.

GaspherYaw · 10/02/2026 22:24

PixellatedPixie · 10/02/2026 22:15

“breakdown of law and order” 😂 - the UK is own do the safest countries in the world.

Do you feel safe carrying your phone in London? Or wearing a Rolex anywhere in the country?

Autumngirl5 · 11/02/2026 07:17

GaspherYaw · 10/02/2026 22:24

Do you feel safe carrying your phone in London? Or wearing a Rolex anywhere in the country?

Yes I do actually. The UK is one of the safest countries in the world.

GaspherYaw · 11/02/2026 07:43

Autumngirl5 · 11/02/2026 07:17

Yes I do actually. The UK is one of the safest countries in the world.

Don't be silly. Phone will get snatched and Rolex will be ripped right off you.

Namechangetry · 11/02/2026 07:58

GaspherYaw · 11/02/2026 07:43

Don't be silly. Phone will get snatched and Rolex will be ripped right off you.

I know Mumsnet's got more than average high earners, but I doubt getting your Rolex stolen is a big worry for many people even here.

The4thSister · 11/02/2026 08:23

Why do I feel like this is a Katie Price spoof thread?!

DestituteDesperate · 11/02/2026 09:20

Why does your daughter have to relocate to Dubai? Is it job relocation? Returning to her family?

the opening post is far to vague to gauge any real information to impart wisdom.

From a single mother myself with no help financially or otherwise from the father of my child, having someone involved in their child’s life is a blessing.

The fact he is blocking it, shows he really wants to stay an involved father.

AllTheChaos · 11/02/2026 10:32

GaspherYaw · 11/02/2026 07:43

Don't be silly. Phone will get snatched and Rolex will be ripped right off you.

But at least women have rights and the country doesn’t rely on slave labour! Plus I live in London, use my phone out and about regularly, and have never had anyone try to snatch it. No one has ever tried to snatch my ancient and cheap (but pretty) watch either, but that’s not really a surprise 😂

Autumngirl5 · 11/02/2026 11:12

GaspherYaw · 11/02/2026 07:43

Don't be silly. Phone will get snatched and Rolex will be ripped right off you.

🙄

TorroFerney · 11/02/2026 11:31

GaspherYaw · 11/02/2026 07:43

Don't be silly. Phone will get snatched and Rolex will be ripped right off you.

The irony of you saying don’t be silly .

so every single person with a mobile phone in London will have it snatched off them?

MajorProcrastination · 11/02/2026 11:57

My husband has a daughter from a previous relationship. We would never and have never moved away from the area where she lives with her mum because it's more important for her to grow up with both parents and her siblings than for us to live wherever we want in the world. I don't think it's unreasonable for your grandchild's father to object to his child being moved out of the country and cutting off his contact. I know it happens but it's not what I personally believe is best for the child.

Carla786 · 11/02/2026 12:01

forcedtonamechange · 10/02/2026 19:37

I can’t imagine that they’re at all friendly to single mums tbh 😬😬

Tbf 90% of Dubai are foreign expats not conservative Emiratis.

LeedsLoiner · 11/02/2026 12:04

GaspherYaw · 11/02/2026 07:43

Don't be silly. Phone will get snatched and Rolex will be ripped right off you.

Tell me you don't live in London without telling me you don't live in London...

Carla786 · 11/02/2026 12:04

Charlize43 · 10/02/2026 21:09

After reading about Maria Kovalchuk, who had her limbs and spine broken (as well as being scalped) while visiting Dubai, I'd have serious reservations about anyone going there, especially for a single woman and a child.

Also isn't Dubai that place that prozzies and influencers go to be crapped on for money? Portable potty parties, they are called.

Katie Price has just flown out there to be with her new conman husband.

It sounds like a total cesspit.

Poor Ugandan women get tricked into it too.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct854r

BBC - World of Secrets, Death in Dubai, 5. The reality of ‘Porta Potty’

The story behind the viral “Dubai Porta Potty” rumours. We follow the trail

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct854r

Carla786 · 11/02/2026 12:05

TorroFerney · 11/02/2026 11:31

The irony of you saying don’t be silly .

so every single person with a mobile phone in London will have it snatched off them?

I live in S London..still got my phone, fingers crossed. I was raised not to flaunt valuables in the street but can't afford a Rolex anyway.

SumUp · 11/02/2026 12:06

Is this a reverse?

Manymoresometimes · 11/02/2026 12:07

Assume the drip feed will start now about the awful father?

Carla786 · 11/02/2026 12:11

Adelle79360 · 10/02/2026 21:35

So much misinformation on this thread about Dubai and about court proceedings for relocation. Clearly it isn’t in a child’s best interests to be left with a parent who isn’t their primary carer (assuming that is the case here), it’s in their best interest to relocate with the parent who is moving.

Your daughter needs to really do her homework. Where will her daughter go to school, how is it being paid for? What about medical care, presumably she will be covered by your daughter’s insurance? Does the child do any extra curricular activities and if so, can she continue to do those? (Of course she can - it’s Dubai!). Do they know anybody out there for friendship and support? Make a list of all these things to tell Cafcass. On the assumption the child and her dad have a relationship, how will that be managed moving forwards? How many times a year can she come back here to visit him, can he come and visit in Dubai? How will the travel be paid for and who will accompany her on the flights? It all needs to be set out really clearly. She needs a plan.

What incorrect statements have been made about Dubai?

Carla786 · 11/02/2026 12:11

HisNibs · 10/02/2026 21:34

As other pp have rightly mentioned, your DD will need to ensure adequate supervision whilst working or risk imprisonment up to 2 years (look up Wadeema's Law)
In the unlikely event that a UK Court allows DD to take her children there, she will need to sponsor her child for a family visa with a whole heap of hoops to jump through and those court documents granting sole custody and permission to travel need to be translated and submitted too.
Culturally, DD (and probably DGD) is unlikely to be accepted outside of an expat community.
What grounds of being in the child's best interest are you presenting to CAFCASS for a section 7 report?
Why on earth would she want to go there In the first place? Listen to other pp

Tbf 90% of Dubai ARE expats so that's most of the people there

GaspherYaw · 11/02/2026 12:14

LeedsLoiner · 11/02/2026 12:04

Tell me you don't live in London without telling me you don't live in London...

I do....

BeatrizBoniface · 11/02/2026 12:22

Anyahyacinth · 10/02/2026 21:57

Complete breakdown??

Indeed. Some people have no idea.

Muffinmam · 11/02/2026 12:39

Hopefully the Courts won’t allow this.

Has your daughter zero awareness of what goes on there??? How could she be so utterly dim?

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