Dubai: If you recently welcomed a newborn into your family, congratulations!Once you’ve savoured the special moment, it’s important to ensure your baby is registered as a legal resident in the UAE, so you can access essential services for him or her, such as healthcare and, later, an education.The process to obtain a residence visa for your newborn is a straightforward one, however it involves certain processes that need to be handled accurately, and in a timely manner. Here is everything you need to know about applying for a visa for your newborn.Preparation for visa applicationBefore you apply for your baby’s visa, note the legislation around this process.Considerations before applying: Before applying for a visa for your baby, you must ensure other requirements have been met:The child must have a birth certificate and passport: Imran Khan, legal consultant at I K Lawyers, said: “A newborn must first obtain a passport and birth certificate before visa processing.” These documents are required when submitting the residence visa application for your baby, so ensure you have them on hand.The child must be registered for an Emirates ID: When applying for a residence visa in Dubai, parents must also register for an Emirates ID for their baby. The Emirates ID is mandatory for all UAE residents, and this includes newborns. It is issued as part of the visa process through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Learn about the Emirates ID application process. The ID application must be submitted alongside the visa request and is delivered once approved.The child’s parents must have valid visas: Khan explained: “If the parents are on visit visas, they must first obtain their own residence visas before applying for the child.”Who can apply: Khan said: “The newborn’s residence visa is sponsored by either parent, provided that the sponsoring parent holds a valid UAE residence visa and meets the eligibility criteria for family sponsorship. Either mother or father may apply, depending on whose visa status and income meet the requirements.”When to apply: In the UAE, you must apply for a newborn residence visa within 120 days of the baby’s birth, in order to avoid daily fines and any legal penalties. Khan explained: “The baby can remain in the UAE during these 120 days, but all documentation must be completed within this period to avoid fines.” This window allows parents enough time to apply for and receive their child’s birth certificate, passport, and Emirates ID registration, so that they have everything they need to submit the newborn’s residence visa application.What is the penalty for missing the 120-day window?If you fail to apply for your newborn’s residence visa within 120 days of birth, overstay penalties apply. The fines range between Dh25 to Dh100 per day, depending on the emirate you’re in.Khan explained the penalties for Dubai residents: “The fine is Dh50 per day for newborns who exceed the 120‑day visa issuance period. If the delay exceeds 120 days, parents may appeal for fine exemption by providing valid and justified reasons (medical issues, administrative delays, passport issuance delays, and so on).”He added that special consideration may be given by the authorities if the reason for delay is legitimate, and involves other authorities, like consulates. Khan explained: “In case of passport issuance delays from your home country, consulate letters can support fine exemption appeals.”What documents are required for a newborn’s residence visa application?To sponsor a newborn, the sponsoring parent must meet the standard UAE family sponsorship criteria, including:Application for the child’s residence permit and Emirates IDSponsoring parent’s valid UAE residence visa and Emirates IDProof of minimum income requirement: Salary certificate or labour contract proving Dh4,000 monthly income, or Dh3,000 income with employer-provided housingProof of relationship/parentage: Proven via a marriage certificateBaby’s attested birth certificateBaby’s passportBaby's passport photographsHealth insurance (where applicable)Tenancy contract: Registered Ejari contractHow much does the residence visa process cost?The main costs in the visa process include application fees, Emirates ID costs and visa stamping costs, as well as value-added tax (VAT) and any courier fees.Here is the fee schedule, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA):Application fees: Between Dh500 to Dh800Emirates ID: Dh370Visa stamping: Dh510Health insurance: Between Dh700 to Dh2,500Courier fees (subject to the courier company)VAT: 5%How to apply for a newborn residence visaFollow these steps so that your newborn can legally reside in the UAE under parental sponsorship.Step 1: Obtain the baby’s birth certificate and passportAt birth, the hospital will issue a birth notification and assist with the birth certificate application, according to guidelines issued by Amer Centre, Dubai, which are government authorised service hubs that offer services related to visas and immigration.After receiving the birth certificate, you may need to attest it by the relevant authorities, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), depending on your nationality.Next, apply and receive the child’s passport from your respective consulate. A valid passport is mandatory when applying for a UAE residence visa.Step 2: Apply for the baby’s Emirates IDAfter receiving the child’s birth certificate and passport, parents can proceed with the Emirates ID application.This mandatory identity document is required for all UAE residents and citizens, including newborns, and it forms part of the residency process.Learn about the Emirates ID application process. The ID application must be submitted alongside the visa request and is delivered once approved.Step 3: Gather other documentsMake sure you have all the documents mentioned above, including salary certificates, tenancy contracts (if you are renting your home) and other pertinent information. These documents will be required for the submission.Step 4: Apply for the newborn’s residence visa applicationThe father or the mother, who is eligible to sponsor their child, may apply for the residence visa online via the GDRFA portal or ICP Smart Services, the DubaiNow app or respective ICP (UAEICP) and GDRFA (GDRFA DXB) apps, or in person at a GDRFA Customer Happiness Centre or Amer Centre in Dubai.Once the application is approved, the Emirates ID will be issued and the visa stamped, allowing your child to become a legal resident of the UAE.Apply online via ICPFollow these steps to apply via the ICP’s Smart Services:Visit icp.gov.ae and log in with your UAE PASS.Navigate to ‘Services’, click on ‘Interactive Services’ and select ‘Issuing Residency Permit’.Select the category ‘Resident – Family members of a foreign resident’ if you are an expat living in the UAE. Select ‘Start Service’.Fill in the application details, including your child’s information, and the Emirates ID application number.Upload all the documents.Pay the fees. Confirm your address for the courier service and submit the application.The process takes two working days to complete, and you will receive a notification via SMS and through your registered email. Once approved, the visa will be stamped and you will receive the Emirates ID via courier.Apply online via GDRFAFollow these steps to apply via the ICP’s Smart Services:Visit GDRFA’s website – gdrfad.gov.ae – and log in with your UAE PASS.Navigate to ‘Services’. Select ‘Residency Services’ and ‘Issuing residence permit’. Select ‘Start service’.Fill in the application details, including your child’s information, and the Emirates ID application number.Upload all the documents.Pay the fees. Confirm your address for the courier service and submit the application.The process takes two working days to complete, and you will receive a notification via SMS and through your registered email. Once approved, the visa will be stamped and you will receive the Emirates ID via courier.Apply via the DubaiNow appDownload the DubaiNow app via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Log in with your UAE PASS.Navigate to ‘Services’ and tap on the ‘Residency & Citizenship’ service category. Select ‘Get Family Residency’.Open a new sponsorship file, if this is the first time you are sponsoring a dependent. You will need to submit information from your passport, tenancy documents and salary certificate.Upload all the required documents. Fill in the application form with the newborn’s full name and other details.Pay the required fees. Confirm your address for the courier service and submit the application.The process takes two working days to complete, and you will receive a notification via SMS and through your registered email. Once approved, the visa will be stamped and you will receive the Emirates ID via courier.Apply in-person at an Amer Centre or GDRFA Customer Happiness Centre in DubaiIf you would like to apply in person, visit an Amer Centre in Dubai. You can find a list of service centre locations here: amer247.com/contact.Alternatively, you can visit a GDRFA Customer Happiness Centre to submit the application in person. Find the full list of locations here: gdrfad.gov.ae/en/customer-happiness-centers.The process to apply in-person at the above places is the same:Visit an Amer Centre or Customer Happiness Centre.Take a ticket and wait for a service agent to assist you.Once it’s your turn, ask to apply for a newborn residence visa. Supply all the required information, and submit the documents required.Pay the fees. Provide your address for the courier.You will receive a transaction number and can track your application. Once approved, the visa will be stamped, and the Emirates ID will be sent to you via courier.
