How to Get a Residence Visa for a Newborn in the UAE (120-Day Deadline)
Parents from other countries must finish their newborn's paperwork within 120 days of birth. There are four steps. Register the birth and get a birth certificate. Get the baby's passport from your embassy or consulate. Apply for an Emirates ID. And get a residence visa, sponsored by a parent who lives in the UAE. Start with the birth notification from the hospital. If you miss the 120-day deadline, daily fines apply. Check the current fine rate with ICP or GDRFA.
At a glance
- Cost:
- Varies by emirate/authority — confirm (birth certificate + passport + residence + Emirates ID fees)
- Total time:
- Within 120 days of birth
- Steps:
- 6 steps
- Where to apply:
- u.ae
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked every 6 months · next review due April 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official UAE sources(October 2026).
0 of 6 steps
- Before You Go At delivery
Get the hospital birth notification
The hospital gives you a birth notification when your baby is born. It has a Qaid number. Keep it safe. It is the first document you need for the birth certificate.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay Within 30 days of birth Varies by authority
Register the birth and get the birth certificate
Apply through the health authority in your emirate. In Dubai, this is the DHA. In Abu Dhabi, it is the Department of Health. In the northern emirates, it is Emirates Health Services (EHS). The government portal also lists an online issuance link from MOHAP. Register the birth within 30 days. The fee for the certificate depends on the authority. Check it in the portal.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay Varies by embassy Varies by embassy
Apply for the baby's passport
Apply at the embassy or consulate of your home country in the UAE. Each embassy has its own processing time and fees. Apply as soon as your birth certificate is ready. Your baby needs the passport for the residence visa.
Click to mark as done
- Go Same-day application
Apply for the baby's Emirates ID
Apply for the Emirates ID at the same time as the residence process. Young children do not need to give fingerprints. Biometrics start at age 15.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay Within 120 days of birth Residence issuance per ICP fee list (confirm in-portal)
Secure the residence visa within 120 days
One parent sponsors the baby. That parent must hold a valid residence visa. The parent must also meet the family sponsorship rules. The parent applies for the baby's residence visa on ICP or GDRFA. Finish everything within 120 days of the birth. After that deadline, you pay a fine for each day. Check the current fine rate with ICP or GDRFA.
Click to mark as done
- Follow Up Ongoing
Arrange health insurance and keep documents
Arrange health insurance for your baby. Keep all the documents together in one place. Keep the birth certificate, the passport, the Emirates ID, and the residence documents. You will need them for school, for travel, and for future renewals.
Click to mark as done
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for a newborn's residence visa?
You have 120 days from the birth. Finish the birth certificate, the passport, the Emirates ID, and the residence visa in that time. After the deadline, you pay a fine for each day. Check the current rate with ICP or GDRFA.
Who sponsors the newborn's visa?
A parent who lives in the UAE sponsors the baby. That parent must hold a valid residence visa. The parent must also meet the family sponsorship rules. Either parent can sponsor the baby. It depends on which parent's status and income meet the rules.
What if the baby was born outside the UAE?
Your baby needs a passport and an entry permit to enter the UAE legally. Once your baby is in the country, follow the same steps. Apply for the Emirates ID and complete the residence process.
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