Babies born in the UAE inherit the parents' nationality, not Emirati citizenship. They also do not automatically receive a residence visa. UAE law gives parents a 120-day window to register the birth and add the baby to a parent's residence file. Miss the deadline and a daily fine starts ticking — here is the complete 2026 process.
What the 120-day rule actually means
From the date of birth, parents have 120 calendar days to complete three things: register the birth at the relevant health authority, attest the birth certificate, and apply for the baby's UAE residence visa under a parent's sponsorship. After 120 days, an overstay-style penalty of AED 100 per day kicks in, capped in practice but always at the discretion of GDRFA / ICP officers when the application is finally submitted.
The 120-day clock applies even if the baby leaves the UAE shortly after birth — for example to be introduced to grandparents abroad. The legal residence requirement is tied to the baby being physically present in the UAE on day 120, not the parents.
Who qualifies as a sponsor
- A parent holding a valid UAE residence visa — employment, investor, partner, Golden, Green, or retirement.
- For employment-visa sponsors, the salary threshold of AED 4,000 plus accommodation (or AED 4,700 without) typically applies.
- Golden, Green, and retirement visa holders are exempt from the salary check.
- Both parents must be married — a recognised marriage certificate is required to register the birth and to apply for the visa.
Step-by-step process
- The hospital issues a birth notification within 1 to 2 days of delivery.
- Apply for the birth certificate through the relevant health authority — DHA in Dubai, DoH / SEHA in Abu Dhabi, MOHAP in the Northern Emirates. This can be done within 30 days at standard fees.
- Get the birth certificate translated into Arabic if originally issued in English, then attested by MOFA.
- Apply for the baby's passport at the home-country embassy or consulate in the UAE.
- Submit the entry-permit application for the baby through ICP smart services or GDRFA Amer, sponsored by a parent.
- Receive the entry permit within 3 to 7 working days.
- Complete the in-country status change (no medical fitness test is required for children under 18).
- Apply for the baby's Emirates ID.
- The residence visa is stamped electronically and the digital residence file is activated.
Cost breakdown
| Item | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate (Arabic, original) | 50 – 75 |
| Translation (English ↔ Arabic, sworn) | 80 – 200 |
| MOFA attestation | 150 |
| Passport (varies by nationality) | 200 – 700 |
| Entry permit + status change | 1,100 – 1,500 |
| Emirates ID (1 year) | 170 |
| Visa stamping (1 year) | 250 – 350 |
| Health insurance (newborn, annual) | 1,500 – 4,000 |
| Late penalty (after 120 days) | 100/day |
Total typical end-to-end spend: AED 3,500 to AED 6,500, plus passport fees that depend on the baby's nationality.
Documents required
- Hospital birth notification.
- Original Arabic birth certificate, attested by MOFA.
- Translation of the birth certificate if originally in English.
- Parents' marriage certificate, attested by MOFA.
- Sponsoring parent's passport, Emirates ID, and residence visa copy.
- Sponsoring parent's salary certificate, labour contract, and last 3 months of bank statements (if employment visa).
- Baby's passport.
- Two passport-size photos of the baby on a white background.
- Health insurance policy for the baby.
- Tenancy contract or Ejari of the family residence.
Birth certificate attestation in detail
If the parents plan to use the birth certificate outside the UAE — for school admission abroad, citizenship registration, or a future overseas visa — they should attest it twice. Once at MOFA in the UAE for local use, and a second time at the embassy of the parent's home country for use abroad. Some embassies will only attest documents that were attested by MOFA first, so the order matters.
The late penalty in practice
The fine is AED 100 per day starting on day 121 from the birth date. While the fine is technically uncapped, immigration officers regularly use discretion when families show evidence of a documented delay (illness, embassy closures, attestation backlogs). It is far cheaper, both in money and stress, to start the paperwork in week one of the baby's life rather than week sixteen.
Common mistakes
- Waiting for the Arabic birth certificate to arrive before booking the embassy passport appointment — the two can run in parallel.
- Skipping MOFA attestation because the family does not plan to leave the UAE — ICP still requires the attestation for the visa file.
- Assuming the baby inherits the mother's surname automatically. Some embassies require both parents' surnames to appear on the birth certificate; correcting it later is slow.
- Using an English-only birth certificate without an attested Arabic translation when applying through ICP.
- Forgetting health insurance — DHA, DoH, and SEHA require the baby to be insured before the visa file can close.
Frequently asked questions
Does my UAE-born baby get UAE citizenship?
No. UAE citizenship is granted by descent from a UAE national father, not by place of birth. Babies inherit the nationality of their parents.
Can the mother sponsor the baby instead of the father?
Yes, provided the mother holds a residence visa and meets the same eligibility (salary, marriage certificate, accommodation). It is increasingly common for working mothers to sponsor children directly.
What if the parents are not married?
Since 2020 children of unmarried parents can be registered in the UAE, but the process is more complex and may require a court order or notarised acknowledgement from the father. Speak to a specialist before delivery if this applies.
Do I need to do a medical fitness test for the baby?
No. Children under 18 are exempt from the medical fitness test for visa applications.
Can the baby travel before the visa is issued?
Yes — the baby can leave the UAE on the home-country passport, but cannot re-enter without a valid entry permit or residence visa. Plan travel around the visa application.
What if the 120 days falls during a long overseas stay?
If the baby will not be in the UAE on day 120, parents can either complete the visa earlier, before travel, or accept the late penalty when applying after their return. ICP will calculate the fine from day 121 regardless of where the baby was.
How long is the baby's first residence visa valid?
Usually one year, matching the validity of the family file at renewal time. Subsequent renewals can be 2 or 3 years if the sponsoring parent has a longer visa.
How we help
Visa Simplified runs the full newborn visa pipeline — birth certificate processing, MOFA attestation, embassy passport coordination, ICP submission, Emirates ID, and family-policy health insurance. See our residence visa services or pair this with our family visa sponsorship guide for the wider picture.
Need help with this?
Our PRO consultants handle the full process end-to-end — documents, government submission, and delivery. Service fee is fully refundable pre-submission.