You are probably right
@Flying mermaid - but yes it is all too much. The admin for anyone is ridiculous, but throwing in his work issues as well - getting leave, approval to WFH in quarantine, prof indemnity approval to do that given for specific dates and only those dates, need to fit I around court deadlines, PCR test etc etc etc before any usual travel issues like passport, money, cards, transport, house sitting etc. then add having to try to find new flights, pay a king’s ransom if a seat can be found and then re-do all of that above for new dates, when it is exactly 7 days until the original arrangements kick in.
Then, the new need for an exit permit.
You have assessed the likelihood of his being refused an exit permit as low or even very low. You may well be right, but it is unclear at this stage. Now, I teach risk management for a living and was actually an Australian member of the committee for ISO 31000 standard, and your risk assessment is right - up to a point
. But let’s accept that you are right.
The gap in your assessment is that it looks like you haven’t factored in the consequences of the very low likelihood event (denied n exit permit) actually happening - which in his situation would be severe to catastrophic. He would lose his job, and be stuck here, with no visa right back to UAE, and all his financial assets, household, car, personal belongings etc stuck in the UAE. Not a user friendly jurisdiction in cases like this. Some things might just be forfeit to the government (eg bank deposits). Let’s not even start on why he thinks it’s a good idea to work there - basically it is about golden handcuffs and interesting work. The full risk assessment results in an assessed level of risk of “high”. People often overlook the consequences if an event does happen because they have assessed the likelihood of the event a being extremely low. We are seeing this human characteristic all around at the moment - how likely is it I will get COVID - not very likely- so no need to take the vaccine or avoid gatherings. it used to be how likely is it that I will have an illness/injury that will take me to hospital on my trip to the USA? Not very likely- I’m young and fit and healthy- so no need for travel insurance. We all know that in many or even most cases, that works out, but when it doesn’t the consequences are spectacular.
This is a problem for me personally. Knowing what I know, I can never just assess a risk on likelihood. Makes me conservative I guess, but it is so ingrained In my thinking. And apparently it has transferred to the Seat kids who always insure, have a Plan B and never need it, and weigh consequences in their decisions.
Plus, it’s not like anyone in our family is dying right now, although his grandparents re not in great shape. Isn’t it tragic that this has become the yardstick by which we decide whether a citizen can leave or enter their own country? Just shameful, in my view.
No, he needs to be here to do some banking admin that must be done in person (being identified - great use of his passport!) and to renew his ACT driving licence which also must be done in person this time as he took the on line option last time and now his photo and eye test are too old. He does not want to be stuck with just a UAE licence because that is not automatically recognised here. Nothing earth shattering, just the normal business of an adult citizen. Who should have the right to come and go as he please, as we all should.
All of which is why Seat Son has totally pulled the pin.
I understand that the position is different for your son, plus the luxury of a bit more time to see how things pan out, and I so genuinely hope he makes it and that none of your 4 worry points eventuate. It will feel like a success for me as well as for you if you get to see him
. I will just have to wait longer to see mine.
I hope you don’t feel personally criticised by my post. You have been a warm and sensible voice on the forum, and very kind to me. And because of that, I just wanted to explain why our views differ on the issue of the risks round the exit permit.
(assuming that any resident overseas, other than those on a holiday or working holiday, would be able to satisfy enough of the criteria)
. Just sad because we are in very similar circumstances with wanting to see our sons again and have them meet our new grandchildren. Our little Bub seems to feel Master FM is a photo on the wall, as if I say we are going to talk to him, she goes and sits underneath it. 
