Can Your Child Travel to India Without You? Saudi Travel Consent Rules for Indian Families

Many Indian families in Saudi Arabia face this situation: a child needs to travel to India (or another country) without both parents, perhaps to visit grandparents, attend a wedding, or return to school. Several sets of rules apply: Saudi Jawazat’s exit requirements, the airline’s rules for minors, and sometimes the rules of the country the child is flying to.

Updated November 2026: An earlier version of this guide said Saudi law requires a parental consent letter for every minor leaving without both parents. We could not find a published Jawazat rule saying this for expatriate children. The rule that requires a guardian’s permission for travel under age 21 applies to Saudi citizens, not to expatriates. This guide now separates what Jawazat requires from what airlines ask for. A consent letter is still strongly recommended.

The basic rule

For an expatriate child leaving Saudi Arabia, Jawazat requires valid travel documents and a valid exit re-entry visa (or final exit). For dependents, this visa is issued by the head of the family (the sponsor) through Absher. Saudi authorities may check:

• Child’s iqama status: must be valid
• Biometric registration: Jawazat requires fingerprints for resident family members aged 6 and above (Biometric Registration Guide)
• Exit re-entry visa: if the child is leaving temporarily

The consent letter requirements mostly come from airlines and from some destination countries. They apply whether the child is traveling:

• Alone (unaccompanied minor)
• With one parent
• With a relative or guardian (not a parent)

When is consent required?

Scenario 1: Child traveling with one parent

No published Jawazat rule requires a consent letter from the other parent when an expatriate child travels with one parent. In practice, carry a signed consent letter from the parent who is not traveling, plus a copy of their passport and iqama. Some airlines, immigration officers, or destination countries may ask for it, especially if the child’s surname differs from the accompanying parent’s. Saudi embassies abroad also ask for a notarized parental letter when minors traveling alone or with one parent apply for an exit/re-entry visa there.

Scenario 2: Child traveling with a relative

If a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or family friend is taking the child:

• Carry a consent letter signed by the parent(s) naming the accompanying adult
• The relative should carry the consent letter during travel
• Attach copies of the parents’ and the relative’s passports to the letter
• Air India, for example, asks for a consent letter signed by the parent(s) or legal guardian that names the authorised adult travelling with the minor

Scenario 3: Child traveling alone (unaccompanied minor)

• Airlines set the rules here. SAUDIA and Air India do not accept children under 5 travelling alone
• For children aged 5 to 11, the airline’s unaccompanied minor service is required (SAUDIA and Air India), with the airline’s own forms filled in and signed by the parent or guardian
• Teenagers (12 to 17) can usually travel alone, but airlines may still ask for a consent form

What the consent letter must include

A good consent letter should have:

1. Full names of the child, both parents, and the traveling companion (if any)
2. Passport numbers of the child and both parents
3. Travel details: destination, dates, airline, flight number
4. Explicit permission stating the child is allowed to travel
5. Signatures of both parents (or legal guardian)
6. Date of the letter
7. Contact information of both parents

Template structure

CONSENT LETTER FOR MINOR TRAVEL

I, [Parent 1 Full Name], passport number [XXXXX], and
I, [Parent 2 Full Name], passport number [XXXXX],
hereby give permission for our child,
[Child Full Name], passport number [XXXXX],
to travel to [Destination] from [Departure Date]
to [Return Date] with [Companion Name / Alone].

Signed:
[Parent 1 Signature]     Date: ___
[Parent 2 Signature]     Date: ___

Air India publishes its own consent form and unaccompanied minor form on its website. If your airline has one, use it.

Where to get the consent letter validated

A simple signed letter is often accepted, but for added credibility:

• Get it notarized (for example at a notary public, or attested through the Indian Embassy/Consulate’s consular services)
• Air India says notarisation is not a universal requirement but may be mandatory for some departure or destination countries
• For custody situations, a court order may be required

Absher and child travel

Before the trip, the head of the family should check in Absher that:

• The child’s iqama is valid
• The child’s biometrics are registered if the child is 6 or older (Biometric Registration Guide)
• A valid exit re-entry visa has been issued for the child

What airlines require

Requirements differ by airline and route, so check with your airline before booking. Commonly requested documents:

• Consent letter or the airline’s own form, signed by the parent(s) or guardian
• Copy of child’s passport
• Copy of the parents’ passports (and of the accompanying adult’s passport, if not a parent)
• Booking confirmation
• For unaccompanied minors: details of the adults who will drop the child off and pick the child up

SAUDIA: children under 5 cannot travel alone, and children aged 5 to 11 travel under SAUDIA’s unaccompanied minor procedures.

Common mistakes

Mistake 1: Assuming no paperwork is needed with one parent

Even if Jawazat does not ask for a letter, an airline or destination country may. A signed letter from the other parent is cheap insurance.

Mistake 2: Using an old consent letter

Consent letters should be dated close to the travel date and name the actual trip. An old letter may not be accepted.

Mistake 3: Not carrying the letter at the airport

Always carry the physical consent letter (plus digital copies) when traveling. Airlines may ask for it at check-in.

Mistake 4: Forgetting biometric registration

If your child is 6 or older and hasn’t had biometrics registered with Jawazat, Jawazat services such as the exit re-entry visa can be blocked. See Biometric Registration Guide.

Related guides

• Biometric Registration for Children
• Iqama & Residency — Complete Guide
• Exit Re-Entry Visa — How to Apply
• Family Visit Visa — Complete Guide
• Check Iqama Expiry Date

References

1. Saudi Gazette: Jawazat reminds expats to register fingerprints of children aged 6 and above (via Zawya): zawya.com
2. Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia (Washington): exit/re-entry visa requirements for minors: saudiembassy.net
3. Air India: travelling with children and consent letter FAQ: airindia.com
4. Air India: unaccompanied minors: airindia.com
5. SAUDIA: customer service plan (unaccompanied minors): saudia.com
6. Saudi Gazette: guardian permission rule for Saudi citizens under 21 (does not apply to expatriates): saudigazette.com.sa

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Consent rules may vary by airline and change over time. Always verify with your airline and the relevant embassy before traveling.