The thought of being a single parent can be scary. Contemplating the sole responsibility of your child, which in the majority of cases comes to the mom, is natural. If you are a single mom, who is willing to move to Dubai or have recently gotten separated in the emirate, this article is for you.
Please note that this article caters to expatriates who come under the purview of non-shariah laws.
There can be many scenarios resulting in a person becoming a single parent:
- Divorce
- One parent lives (works) in a different city
- Widowed
- Abandoned by spouse
- Never married
If you are among one of the above-mentioned categories and living (or planning to live) in a country that has stern, yet now progressive laws, as a single mother in Dubai you can still live a convenient life.
Introduction of New Law for Single Moms
Being a single mom in Dubai was more difficult in olden times than it is now. There are females who have experienced their share of struggles, especially concerning the custody of their child. A woman without ‘a man’, was looked down upon by society. However, the UAE has become the only Gulf country to be more liberal and progressive, and laws keep evolving so that no mom feels miserable during her difficult times.
1. Applying for Birth Certificate
According to a report by The National, if your child is born out of wedlock in the UAE, the new laws allow you to apply for your child’s birth certificate without the requirement of the father’s identity or a marriage certificate.
All you need is proof of birth (acquire from the hospital), the mother’s Emirates ID and passport, and the application form.
In case of a divorce, both parents need to register their child and submit all their individual documents for approval.
2. Sponsoring Visa for Your Child
UAE doesn’t offer permanent residence visas, so keep in mind that you need to be employed if you are a single mother residing in Dubai. Your employer will provide you with a work visa and most probably sponsor your child’s visa as well. You can be in any kind of profession but will have to meet a minimum salary amount criteria to sponsor your child’s visa. The other essential documents along with the visa application include:
- The documents confirming the divorce judgment (attested by the government of the UAE)
- Divorce or separation certificate
- Proof of salary (above AED4000 without accommodation)
- No-objection certificate from the father (can depend on case to case)
It will be a good idea to check with your country’s consulate in UAE to get more information.
Finding Peace Amid Chaos
Even though you get all the official work done, living with the social stigma of being a single mom in Dubai can weigh on you at times. It is highly important to take good care of your mental and physical well-being, now that the responsibility of raising your child in a foreign country solely lies on your shoulders. Try to connect to friends or join support groups to meet people sailing in the same boat.
Living as a single mother in Dubai can have pros that will provide you with more relief.
- Hire a Nanny. You can easily hire a full-time or part-time nanny, that suits your requirements without making a big hole in your pockets. To know about the questions you can ask to hire a nanny read 10 Questions to Ask in a Nanny Interview.
- Nurseries. There are several good nurseries suiting your budget, that have the option of full daycare as well.
- Hire Help for Chores. If you are a work-from-home mom, you can even hire help for chores (cooking, cleaning, etc.) and devote more time to your child, along with balancing work.
Conclusion
Being a single parent can be both demanding and satisfying. Challenges of sole responsibility, social stigmas, fear of behavioral issues among children, and financial and career concerns, can be a nightmare to go through.
However, I strongly believe the words of the famous American novelist Barbara Kingsolver,
“Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than all natural laws.”
So, keep your head high and do your best. Also, do remember what you are doing alone for your child, is already more than enough. Happy Parenting 😊.