UAE: Expat Guide on Applying for Residency Visa and Newborn Birth Certificate

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) stands out as an exceptional destination for families, drawing expatriates from around the world due to its unparalleled safety, top-tier healthcare and education facilities, and a plethora of opportunities that the Emirates present. For newlyweds embarking on the exciting journey of starting a family, the UAE offers a conducive environment for raising children. Within this context, the government has implemented streamlined procedures to assist expatriates in registering the births of their children in the country, ensuring a smooth transition into parenthood.

Birth Certificate Procedure:

Upon the joyous occasion of welcoming a new member into the family, residents in the UAE are granted a window of 30 days to register the birth of their child. It is noteworthy that if the parents hold different nationalities, the child inherits the nationality of the father, a practice in accordance with the regulations.

To secure a birth certificate, several documents need to be submitted, including an attested Arabic translated marriage certificate (if the original is in a language other than Arabic), copies and originals of both the father’s and mother’s passport and residence visa, and essential birth details along with the discharge summary from the hospital.

Expatriates must ensure that all birth certificates undergo attestation by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa). Additionally, obtaining stamps from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (Doh) or the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is considered equivalent to Mohap attestation. The application process incurs a nominal fee of Dh60 and can be initiated through the Mohap website or at designated public health centers.

Residence Visa and Emirates ID Application:

Within the first 120 days of the child’s birth, parents are required to embark on the process of obtaining the child’s residency visa, Emirates ID, and passport. This timeline is crucial, and exceeding the stipulated duration incurs penalties, further emphasizing the importance of adhering to the established deadlines.

Applying for a passport necessitates a visit to the respective embassy of the parents’ country within the UAE. Subsequently, the residency visa application follows a meticulous procedure akin to sponsoring a child’s visa in the UAE. Prerequisites include holding a valid residence visa, along with meeting specific financial criteria, requiring a minimum salary of Dh4,000 or Dh3,000 plus accommodation. Notably, mothers seeking to sponsor their child must obtain approval from the ICP.

A failure to obtain the residency visa within the stipulated 120 days incurs a fee of Dh100 per day, and, importantly, restricts the child from leaving the country until the requisite procedures are fulfilled.

The residency visa application involves submitting the child’s passport and birth certificate, along with the parent’s identification documents. This can be done either through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) website or by visiting an Amer center in person. The associated fees for expedited services amount to Dh100, supplemented by an additional Dh10 as a knowledge and innovation fee.

In essence, the comprehensive process of birth registration and acquiring the necessary documentation in the UAE underscores the government’s commitment to facilitating the needs of expatriate families and ensuring a seamless integration into the vibrant and dynamic society of the Emirates.