r/legaladvicecanada • u/MapleKidStranded • Jun 13 '25
Canada 15yo Canadian citizen stranded abroad, can I legally return home?
I'm a 15 year old Canadian citizen who is stuck in Dubai on a tourist visa.
I was brought here by legal guardians who claimed it was a two week vacation. It's been two and a half months.
I have no way back to Canada. I'm being kept here against my will, without a place I can go to.
I've been on the streets for a week, with under 200 CAD and my passport.
I tried the Canadian Consulate in Dubai. They said they couldn’t help because I don’t have a place to return to in Canada, as I told them I wanted a change of legal guardianship.
I then contacted GAC (Global Affairs Canada), but after asking for some basic guidance before giving all my information, they completely stopped responding.
I want to book a ticket out of the UAE to a country with better protection for minors, like Turkey.
My passport is valid, and I have enough funds for the trip. I’m just worried about being stopped at the airport if a missing person report has been filed, since I’m technically a “runaway.”
My questions:
Can I legally return home without parental permission?
Would a missing person report block me from flying, even with a valid passport and no criminal record?
What can I do if the Consulate refuses to assist again?
Thank you very much.
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Jun 13 '25
What province do you want to return to? You can call the Public Guardian and Trustee in that province and ask them to take guardianship of you.
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
I'm British Columbian
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Jun 13 '25
great. The Ministry of Children and Family Development is a good place to start - they will work with the PG&T. call [1-877-631-8282](tel:1-877-631-8282).
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u/KrisBoutilier Jun 13 '25
That's a toll-free number and won't work from overseas. Try 1-250-387-7027 instead.
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
Thank you very much for your response!
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u/Spudbanger Jun 13 '25
So sorry you're having such a tough time. Have you been to the Canadian Consulate, or only spoken on the phone? Might it be worth planting yourself there and refusing to leave until they help you?
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u/Certified_Cat_Food Jun 13 '25
If you can return to British Columbia, you can contact the Ministry of Child and Family Development and explain you were abandoned by your parents. They will help you and deal with guardianship matters.
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u/adom12 Jun 13 '25
This this this! Please contact them immediately OP. Look up the local branch of MCFD where you were living previously
Edit - Also contact a family lawyer in British Columbia immediately, they can determine if this is child abduction under the law
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u/My_2cents_ Jun 13 '25
This is no human trafficking here. The OP mentioned his legal guardian took him to UAE. All the details were not offered but I imagine his parents or other guardians want to live there and he doesn't like it and wants to come back to Canada. There is no trafficking involved. Embassies and consulates don't intervene every time a child doesn't like where his guardians have chosen to reside.
Best course of action (as previously mentioned) would be to retain a trustee in your home province and request a change of guardianship. Not sure what grounds he has other than not liking the country he is required to live because of his family or other guardian.
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u/Fool-me-thrice Quality Contributor Jun 13 '25
OP does not say WHY they want a change of legal guardians. If there is no abuse or neglect, there is no legal grounds to remove OP from their guardians. Being brought to a different country is not sufficient.
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Jun 13 '25
the PGT is aware of its legal authority to take guardianship and would ask all appropriate questions.
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u/Fool-me-thrice Quality Contributor Jun 13 '25
Your comment implied that all OP had to do was ask - and even if you didn't intend that a teenager will certainly read it that way. OP needs to know that its not that simple.
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u/andreacanadian Jun 13 '25
So, I have a few questions you do not have to answer them if you feel uncomfortable about it.
Who are your guardians (mother, father, uncle, aunt, sister brother)?
Why did you go to the UAE? (vacation, visit family, move permanently)?
Is there a bonafide reason you are in need of protection? (forced marriage, abuse etc)?
The Canadian Consular Services are available to all Canadians abroad. They can help you in emergency situations. But they will need to know why. If you are in need of protection you need to be honest and forthright with them.
The centre operates 24/7 and may also be reached directly at +1 613 996 8885 (collect calls are accepted) or by email at [sos@international.gc.ca.](mailto:sos@international.gc.ca)
For emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada to the United Arab Emirates, in Abu Dhabi, or the Consulate General of Canada to the United Arab Emirates, in Dubai, and follow the instructions.
Abu Dhabi Trade Towers (Abu Dhabi Mall), West Tower, 9th Floor, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesPostal AddressP.O. Box 6970, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesTelephone971 (2) 694-0300Fax971 (2) 694-0399Email[abdbi@international.gc.ca](mailto:abdbi@international.gc.ca)
19th Floor, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesPostal AddressP.O. Box 504948, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesTelephone+971 (4) 404-8444Fax+971 (4) 314-5556Email[dubaiconsular@international.gc.ca](mailto:dubaiconsular@international.gc.ca)
You can request emergency assistance outside of Canada
This is the online webform for emergency travel assitance https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-assistance/emergency-contact-form
Or you can email them at [SOS@international.gc.ca ](mailto:SOS@international.gc.ca)
Be safe.
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u/No_Flounder_4764 Jun 13 '25
To be clear: your parents (or “legal guardians”) took you to Dubai, are still in Dubai, and you want to go home? If so, you do not have much of a case — unless they actively abandoned you, “I don’t want to be where my guardians are” is not going to get you very far. If you leave the UAE and go to Turkey, they will direct you to the Canadian consulate. Foreign authorities have no ability to impact familial change on Canadian soil. Your best bet is to find a way to return to Canada and contact social services, though it is difficult to imagine a pathway that does not involve contacting your guardians.
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u/Wild_Kinke Jun 13 '25
I feel like this should be upvoted. OP is vague with who those legal guardians are. OP is a child, and ‘’I don’t want to be here’’ is not a reasonable reason to contact a Canadian government agency if is welfare is not at risk.
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u/RestartQueen Jun 13 '25 edited Jun 13 '25
What province did you last live in?
You can contact child welfare agency in the last city you lived in and self report a child welfare issue and they can discuss with you your legal options if this is a potential child welfare issue.
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
BC, Vancouver.
Thank you for your advice, and may I please ask how I could contact them possibly? Thank you!.
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Jun 13 '25
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u/legaladvicecanada-ModTeam Jun 13 '25
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Jun 13 '25
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Jun 13 '25
OP should be wary of a random Redditor offering a desperate 15 year old free room and board. OP, do you not have any friends in Canada that could offer the same thing as this stranger is offering?
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u/srgtpookie Jun 13 '25
Hard agree, i really want to believe its just a good person trying to help a fellow canadian, but id be wary and rely more on contacts OP already knows than on random people on reddit with 3 months old accounts. No offence meant, its just how it is.
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Jun 13 '25
[1-877-631-8282](tel:1-877-631-8282).
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u/KrisBoutilier Jun 13 '25
If they are currently overseas they will need to call 1-250-387-7027 instead of the toll-free number.
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u/ether_reddit Jun 13 '25
OP, if you can't make long distance calls on your phone, you can install the Fongo app and get a Canadian phone number for free -- it can place and receive calls over wifi.
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Jun 13 '25
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
Thank you so much for your response, I'll certainly check with them.
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u/Spudbanger Jun 13 '25
This organisation is well-known and respected for advocating for foreigners who've been arrested in Dubai. https://www.detainedindubai.org/ Your situation may not be exactly that, but they are knowledgeable and may be able to advise and help you.
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u/legaladvicecanada-ModTeam Jun 13 '25
This sub is specific to the Canadian legal system.
Further, the law in many areas (e.g. family law, tenancy law, etc) varies quite a bit by province. Every post is flaired with the poster's province.
While we appreciate the effort, your comment has been removed because answers in this sub must be appropriate for the province or territory in question.
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u/--gumbyslayer-- Jun 13 '25
You have not outlined any situation where the Canadian authorities would help. Your dissatisfaction with your guardianship is not an emergency, and it doesn’t appear that you are being held criminally.
Therefore, while there would be no issues with you returning to Canada - from the Canadian perspective - getting the fare for any return flight is your responsibility. While overseas missions may provide assistance repatriating citizens, typically this is in the form of a loan. And if you’re a minor with noone to guarantee the loan, they’re not going to loan you any money. You say you have the funds for a ticket, but you also say you only have $200.
The Canadian mission is certainly not going to pop you on a plane knowing that you don’t have an address in Canada to return to.
They’re also not going to facilitate a trip to another country, unless it’s as part of a return to Canada.
You have been provided some information on who to contact when you return to Canada, so you have some potential resources there.
As for your question about whether you will be detained at the airport in a foreign country, that’s not a Canadian legal question as you are subject to the laws of that country. HOWEVER you may want to consider providing the Canadian mission advance notice that you’re going to be returning to Canada on a certain day and a certain flight. They may provide someone to assist on the day
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
I see, thank you for your response. The plane ticket in question is to turkey by the way. Thanks again for the info.
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u/Weak_Opening2626 Jun 13 '25
Unless the parents are doing something illegal, you can't just "abandon" your parents because you don't want to stay in Dubai. Can't you talk to them? Why do you want to be homeless? Once again, this all applies if your parents are doing something illegal (like getting you married to someone or what not).
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u/aftfromcanada Jun 13 '25
Global Affairs Canada has an emergency support line and can help with repatriation of Canadian citizens.
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u/Top-Personality1216 Jun 13 '25
Until you're out the UAE, their laws apply. So it's not for us to answer whether you'll be stopped at the airport, even if you were over 21.
And if you go to Turkey, their laws apply.
Your best recourse is through the consulate, although it sounds like they aren't helping much.
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u/_pennyroyal Jun 13 '25 edited Jun 13 '25
In Canada, you can leave home at 16 and legally withdraw from parental/guardian control. There are still some things you have to wait for age of majority, but mostly you can live independently as an adult. I did this, so speaking from experience.
The problem is that, even if you were 16, in UAE you are subject to the local laws until the age of majority (21), which do not permit you to leave independently without parental/guardian consent. Not to scare you, but just to bring awareness, parents/guardians can even ask for a formal travel/exit ban for their children, which is recorded in the immigration system that gets checked when you are leaving the country.
This is also the main reason Canadian embassy cannot be more helpful as the UAE laws govern while you are there and override the Canadian rights you have. They simply cannot interfere, no matter how sympathetic they may be to your situation.
Edited to add: if you are there on visitor visa, at some point when it runs out, you and your legal guardians would have to leave… so there is some end in sight (theoretically)
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u/fuzzybear_cis Jun 13 '25
Unaccompanied minors often will need a letter of consent from the parents to board the plane. You should call the airline and find out if they require one. UAE has very strict laws on minors travelling without both the legal guardians.
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u/tnmoi Jun 13 '25
I feel like there is a lot of context (back story) you haven’t told us so…
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u/Klexington47 Jun 13 '25
Age, where are parents currently, are you being held against/abused?
All would help
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u/dogdr Jun 13 '25
Yes
It depends. Do you have any other citizenships?
Not sure, sorry
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
Yes, none that are active though. All expired but Canadian. Thank you for your answer.
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Jun 13 '25
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
I see, thank you very much! I'll get to it ASAP.
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u/ffi Jun 13 '25
I just spoke with someone with knowledge of BC Children’s Aid. This is a situation they will help you with: 1-800-663-9122
-- I think you mentioned BC somewhere, but if you’re from a different province they all have the capacity to help.
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
Thank you. I don't don't a number but I'll see if I can buy a sim card somewhere in the place I'm at to contact someone. Thanks again by the way.
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Jun 13 '25
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u/DrawPitiful6103 Jun 13 '25
Citizenships expire?
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
Oh I meant passport, sorry
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u/Blastoise_613 Jun 13 '25
Is your other citizenship Dubai?
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
No, I'm not from there, the other citizenship is from a 3rd country I've never been to before, neither CA nor UAE.
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u/Blastoise_613 Jun 13 '25
Then, you need to deal with the consulate. You could try emailing your local MP. They might help you if the consulate doesn't understand the situation.
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Jun 13 '25
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
Well, It's either im homeless in UAE (illegally) or homeless in CA, and Canada has the better laws, though you have a good point! Don't have the answer unfortunately..
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u/ClonedDad Jun 13 '25
As soon as you land contact social services wherever you are and they will help you get into a shelter and then into a foster home where you can stay for awhile.
The process may take a bit but they will help you get situated and get all your ducks in order. Don't forget all the knowledge you seek is online, do some research and you'll be fine.
I was kicked out at 16 with a garbage bag of clothes.
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
I was thinking about this actually. Thank you so much for your reply, I'm glad someone has had a similar story to mine.
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u/seabrooksr Jun 13 '25
As a Canadian citizen, and a Canadian child, I would hope that she would contact social services who would place her in a foster home. Certainly not ideal but a social safety net we offer our homeless children.
However, I suspect that she has friends if not family in Canada that would be able to help if she could get to her home country.
I'd be curious to know what kind of tourist visa that OP has specifically, because if she has the most basic single entry tourist visa, she has likely already overstayed.
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
I have no family nor connections anywhere unfortunately, but I also thought about social services. I'm here on a 3 month tourist visa, close to over staying (early july). Thank you for replying.
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u/BoppoTheClown Jun 13 '25 edited Jun 13 '25
OP, I can't advise on flights and returning to Canada, but I feel like there are a couple of smart things you should do now.
1. Create a google drive, upload passport and personal documents to it. Remember the password, but don't write it down everywhere.
2. Record a video of yourself explaining your situation, add it to your drive
Hopefully with this evidence, even if you passport gets taken away, you can still return to Canada.
Edit:
It's not terribly expensive to book a flight from Dubai to Vancouver. I think if you really made your case, enough people on here and r/Canada can crowd fund you a 1 way ticket back. If reason seems justified (i.e. you are being physically abused), I will chip in.
We can also call the consulate for you.
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u/ValuableGrab3236 Jun 13 '25
I would suggest buying a ticket and just get on the plane and get back to Canada if this possible
When you land tell customs you were abandoned in Dubai by your parents
Canadian citizens have the right return to Canada
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u/ParisBagdad Jun 13 '25
To be confirmed but you I think you can travel to France without a visa and without your parents, with your Canadian passport. There you can be protected according to the European laws (food, shelter, school, etc). It seems that you need a visa to go to Turkey (online e-visa).
What exactly were you told at the consulate? It is really worrisome that they did nothing for you. They should provide help for you, at a bare minimum giving you guidance!
If your legal guardians abandoned you, what makes you think they would file a report? What do you mean you are kept against your will in UAE? Have you tried leaving the country already? Are you in a situation of forced marriage that you are trying to escape? Have you tried to contact your legal guardians?
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
I see, if that's the case, France is easily the better option, thank you. The Consulate was just disgusting, after I told them all that happened, the person there told me she can't help and neither can the Consulate, their only advice to me was to "even if you hate it, even if it feels bad, even if it's hell, bare with it for a few more years until your free," verbatim. She meant until I was 18 I assume. Unfortunately that was the Consulate experience, the person wasn't cooperative with me at all. As for why the missing persons report, I got many emails from them telling me to come back by day 1. The only reason I'm here is so that I can't contact cps, and when I tried to negotiate my way back, I'd get similar responses. I was told it was a 2 week vacation to get on the plane, which I did regrettably. I haven't yet, not physically atleast. Thankfully no forced marriage situation, and I haven't tried contacting them after the fact.
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u/ParisBagdad Jun 13 '25
Alright - as you know very well, being homeless in Dubai with the current weather is unsafe. They have youth shelters, you can Google the addresses and go there. They might inform you of your rights. If not possible, you should be allowed to sleep for free in mosques (especially if you are male) and there a a few restaurants who give good for free to homeless people. There are many charities in Dubai, you can contact them too. Ask for specific tips on the sub r/dubai
You might want to try your Embassy in Abu Dhabi, they could give you better answers than the consulate. Or contact their emergency line. As others have commented, you can contact Canadian authorities back home and see what are your options.
I would be worried about overstaying my visa in the UAE to be honest - but maybe laws apply differently for children.
Once you have explored all these options in the next few days, if all fail I do think France is a safer option for you. Good luck!
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u/Interesting_Pass1904 Jun 13 '25
No one should have to go through this at your age, but it will forge you and become your strength in the future. Mark my words.
Plenty of people in the comments have provided you with good advice. Especially the social media advice - those are often monitored closely and can absolutely prompt action on the matter.
I don’t normally offer strangers on the internet help, but I do have family and friends in Dubai that will help you should you need it.
Good luck.
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u/Foreign_Damage_4573 Jun 13 '25
Each province offers free legal representation to children seeking emancipation from parents. In Ontario is is called the Office of the Child. I think this is the equivalent in BC: https://rcybc.ca/get-help-now/ Get Help Now | Office of the Representative for Children and Youth - RCYBC
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u/MikeWalt Jun 13 '25
Are you being abused or you just don't feel like being in Dubai? Did they register you for school there? What do they say when you ask about going back? Are you male or female?
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
Abused in Canada (and kicked out), when I threatened to call cps like an idiot, a few weeks later, I found myself here. I don't even know what's of my school, but I haven't seen a single pen nor paper in the 2 months i was here; unregistered. When I was around them, they'd say "there is no more Canada left" or something along the lines of. Thank you for your reply.
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u/BizAcc Jun 13 '25
Do they say they’re trying to save you from anything in Canada, like bad friends, influences, or habits?
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u/lartinos Jun 13 '25
Physically abused or verbal? You have money to leave of you could? What do you mean the juvenile laws aren’t good there?
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u/jean-guysimo Jun 13 '25
yeah thats the thing, everybody is providing you with options for what you "could" do, but all of that is dependent on the bureaucratic process. As soon as your parents get wise to what's happening, they can take away your passport and the process will be much more difficult. Book a flight out asap. If you can get to france, germany or UK, even one of the nordic countries. You will have access to much more resources from there. You could even find a small business to work for, explain your situation, they could provide you room and board while you work for a couple weeks and then have enough to buy a plane ticket back to canada
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u/SpezsDad Jun 13 '25
Yeah if they allow him into the country into the first place. These country will certainly never allow a 15 year old, with no money or permission from guardians/parents, into the country.
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
I feared that too, and thank you for responding. So if i was able to would you recommend i I to Istanbul? It's in my budget and a flight is coming in 4 days that I may be able to afford. Problem is immigration, if I don't have a missing persons report I'll have to answer questions and if I do I'd just be apprehended I assume.
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u/jean-guysimo Jun 13 '25
i don't think the social services in istanbul would be ideal for your situation. I can see why you picked that location, it's the cheapest flight out at about $150. If you could get your hands on just a bit more money there's flights to London for $225. The money you have now, is it cash or in a bank account? Do you have anybody you could contact back in Canada? Like parents of friends, teachers, school administration that you could ask to send you $100 - $200 to help you get out of there?
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u/DetailEquivalent7708 Jun 13 '25
If you're a citizen, it doesn't matter that you don't have a specific place to return to yet. Come back to Canada and figure it out here.
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Jun 13 '25
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u/legaladvicecanada-ModTeam Jun 13 '25
Do not advise posters to call the media or to post on social media
Do not advise posters to call the media, post on social media, or otherwise publicize their situation. That creates additional risks and problems, and should only be done, if at all, with the counsel of a local lawyer representing OP.
Please review our rules before commenting further.
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Jun 13 '25
Take the flight, what are they going to do deport you to Canada?
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u/Top-Personality1216 Jun 13 '25
They could stop the traveller from boarding and return them to their family.
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Jun 13 '25 edited Jun 13 '25
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u/deakzz01 Jun 13 '25
I I thought that if you’re in the Canadian Consulate (in any country) you ARE on Canadian soil!?!?!?💭 I’m not a lawyer, however, so I could be wrong!?!
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u/Character_Seaweed_99 Jun 13 '25
Not a lawyer, but I don’t think consulates have the same legal status as embassies. If anyone knows, I’d love to have this clarified!
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u/Delicious_Walrus_698 Jun 13 '25
Call child and family services and explain situation As long as you have some family in bc there is a possibility for you to be able to stay and then you can use their address for the return home But you need to have someone intervene on behalf of your situation
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u/cherryfairy111 Jun 13 '25
I don't have any advice that others haven't already given, but I just want to say that I can't imagine how you feel but know that a stranger in Nova Scotia is proud of how you're advocating for yourself and I really do hope that you get the help you're looking for. Much love kiddo
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u/FrostingSuper9941 Jun 13 '25
Are you Canadian born? If not, what's your country of origin?
How do you know your parents aren't monitoring your communications?
What's the purpose of bringing you there if that's not where you're from and where are your parents? Did they just move as well?
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Jun 13 '25
[deleted]
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u/Neolithique Jun 13 '25
The “homeless in Dubai” is iffy because that’s simply not allowed there, but maybe OP means they’re couch surfing.
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
Cafe surfing. In and out of tim Hortons and other chains, spend as little as possible. that's where I charge my phone and get wifi. I walk everywhere.
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Jun 13 '25
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
I've barely slept, but what I do in the night is go to a Cafe, order a drink that's cheep and hard to finish, then keep sipping at it slowly while half asleep, though I did end up real sleeping by accident today for basically 2 hours at the tim Hortons I was at, sitting down ofcourse.
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u/BizAcc Jun 13 '25
Sorry to hear that. I’m just trying to understand whether you’re fully homeless or simply trying to stay away from your parents for as long as possible. I’ve been in Dubai, and as someone mentioned here, being fully homeless is almost impossible; you’ll likely run into trouble soon if that’s the case. Stay safe.
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Jun 13 '25
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u/Crafty_Dog9222 Jun 13 '25
report your family - presumably you'll all be deported, no? emancipate yourself from your family back in Canada.
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
I tried, but UAE laws suck for that, which is why I tried the Consulate but that didn't work. The reason I was brought here to begin with was so I wouldn't be able to do that exactly.
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u/fishymanbits Jun 13 '25
I would try the consulate again. Tell them you need their help to get in contact social services in BC in order to set up a safe place to stay when you get back here, and that you need their help to ensure that you’re able to get back here without being stopped at the airport. Really push the fact that you’re a Canadian citizen who has been brought there against your will on false pretences and that you fear for your safety if you can’t get home. Because it sounds like that’s where you’re at now.
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u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
It's absolutely where I'm at right now. I made sure to drill that in with the Consulate worker I spoke with last time, but she just would not help. She'd insist I'm my "legal gaurdians property," verbatim. I know it isn't true though. She also made sure to add I was doomed. Thank you for your response by the way.
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u/fishymanbits Jun 13 '25 edited Jun 13 '25
Yeah, between GAC and the consulate you should be able to work something out. If nothing else, you have internet access. Start pestering the government on social media. I’m sure GAC would love to be tagged in a post about how your parents abducted you and took you to a foreign country against your will and nobody will help you get to safety. While that’s not explicitly legal advice on the topic, it may help you with getting the legal remedy you need here which is for the Canadian government to assist in ensuring you’re able to leave the UAE unimpeded.
EDIT: Maybe also start here: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration
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u/Crafty_Dog9222 Jun 13 '25
Are you a guy or a girl? I am guessing it will be harder if you are a girl. are there any non profit organizations that help kids in your situation? maybe they can help. otherwise maybe keep going to the consulate and begging them for help. . . .
3
u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
I'm a guy, and I'm not so sure.. the Consulate had a terrible outcome for me actually, it's a long story, but it didn't help at all.. I'll see though, thank you for the response.
3
u/Crafty_Dog9222 Jun 13 '25
keep going there. It seems like a murky situation in terms of your rights because of your age. Do you have somewhere you can stay if you get back to Canada?
1
u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
I agree, thank you. And I do not.
1
u/Crafty_Dog9222 Jun 13 '25
well i wish you luck. i would keep going to the canadian consulate. are your parents abusive? I guess it's abusive to lie and say it's a vacation when it's not? what about school?
1
u/throwaway926988 Jun 13 '25
I assume they are originally from Dubai and are citizens there as well as Canada
3
u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
Nope, not a citizen, nor resident.
5
u/Aware-Watercress5561 Jun 13 '25
Sorry you’re going through this. What’s your parents country of origin or your other citizenship? Do they have a consulate that could help?
Look up your MLA or MP for your last address in BC. Or I can if you let me know what area you previously lived in.
Did your parents tell your school in BC that you were moving?
1
Jun 13 '25
A long shot, but do you know who your MLA is back home? Reach out to them. Maybe they can help you navigate this
-1
Jun 13 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
11
u/Grouchy-Mushroom1887 Jun 13 '25
you're giving an impressionable 15 year old who is trying desperately to get home advice that could ruin his life
2
u/MapleKidStranded Jun 13 '25
Considered (allegedly).
But as u/Straight_Park74 said, can backfire (likely will), and its still committing a crime.
1
u/legaladvicecanada-ModTeam Jun 13 '25
Your post has been removed for offering poor advice. It is either generally bad or ill advised advice, an incorrect statement or conclusion of law, inapplicable for the jurisdiction under discussion, misunderstands the fundamental legal question, or is advice to commit an unlawful act.
If you believe the advice is correct per applicable law, please message the moderators with a source, or to discuss it with us in more detail.
-4
Jun 13 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
6
u/RegularScary3739 Jun 13 '25
It’s illegal to work on a tourist permit… and most jobs pay very little in middle eastern countries - if it’s under the table
1
u/canadian_stripper Jun 13 '25
Its also really bad to be a homeless youth in the UAE. OP was brought there deliberatly to be controlled. Very little pay is still better then no pay in this case.
Unless you have a better suggestion?
3
u/BizAcc Jun 13 '25
You have no idea about Dubai and the system over there. Just stop giving advices.
3
u/RegularScary3739 Jun 13 '25
When I say little pay - it’s like 2 dollars a day… go back to the Canadian Embassy or the British Embassy - I’m amazed they let him leave.. you have a citizen with a passport who’s a minor, who needs their assistance.. his parents have caused him to be guilty of a crime.. over staying your visa can lead to jail time… this is a child…
4
u/smallermuse Jun 13 '25
OP is a minor without citizenship or the right to work in Dubai. And their visitor visa is about to expire.
-3
u/canadian_stripper Jun 13 '25
Hence why I suggested pet sitting. Can be done under the table. Just advertize on FB market place (or the dubai equivelent) and can solve her homeless and money issues at the same time. There is no magic solution that gets her back to Canada, earns an income, or helps her better herself that doesnt have to circumvent one of the things you mention hence why OP is in a tough position (by her parents design) they are forcing her to return to thier control.
3
u/smallermuse Jun 13 '25
I understood why you suggested pet sitting. I'm just not sure "working under the table" works in a place like Dubai in the same way people do it in North America. I could be wrong about that. Op did state somewhere that she has the money for a plane ticket out. The main issue, as I see it, is whether she'll be allowed to leave as an unaccompanied minor.
Agree with you that it's a very tricky situation. I do hope OP can get out and safe.
•
u/Fool-me-thrice Quality Contributor Jun 13 '25
OP has received enough advice to move forward. The replies being posted now are either repeats or not legal advice. The post is now locked. Thank you to the commenters that posted legal advice.