UAE newborn residence visa and documentation requirements

New parents in the United Arab Emirates must follow specific legal procedures to secure residence visas for newborns. To begin the process, a child must first obtain a passport and a birth certificate.

Birth certificates issued abroad often require authentication and attestation through relevant authorities to be accepted by UAE officials. If the document is not in Arabic, a certified legal translation is typically required.

In addition to the visa application, parents must register their newborn for an Emirates ID through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). This ID is mandatory for all residents to access essential services such as healthcare and education. Furthermore, parents must hold valid residence visas themselves before they can sponsor a child; those on visit visas must transition to residence status first.