Can I file for divorce in Dubai if my spouse has left the country?

Yes — your spouse's absence from the UAE does not prevent you from filing for divorce in Dubai. The courts can hear the case based on your residence here, and a respondent who has left the country is dealt with through the court's notification procedures rather than by waiting for them to return. You will need to give the court whatever contact details you hold: last known addresses here and abroad, phone numbers, email. The court attempts service through the available channels, and where a spouse cannot be traced, notification by publication is possible; if they still do not appear, the case can proceed and judgment can be issued in their absence. Expect the notification stage to add time compared with a case where both parties attend — that is the main practical cost of their absence, not a barrier to the divorce itself. Keep records of your attempts to reach them, as these can support the process. A family lawyer can manage the notification steps so the absence delays your case as little as possible.