Welcoming a new baby into the world is a joyous occasion for any family, filled with moments of overwhelming love and happiness. However, if you are an expatriate living in Abu Dhabi, there are some crucial bureaucratic steps to be taken following the birth of your child. One of these critical steps is securing a residence visa for your newborn baby.
Abu Dhabi has specific immigration laws that apply to everyone residing within its borders, including newborn babies. So, even if your child was born in Abu Dhabi, he or she would still require a residence visa to legally stay in the country beyond a given grace period. The process may seem daunting, but with the correct information at hand, it becomes a lot more manageable.
Requirements of Residence Visa for Newborns
In the UAE, every person living in the country needs to have a valid residence visa. This includes newborn babies, regardless of whether they were born within the UAE or outside. The residence visa ties the holder to a sponsor, who is usually a parent or legal guardian with a valid UAE residence visa.
Upon the birth of your child, you have a grace period of 120 days to secure a residence visa for them. This timeframe starts from the day of the child’s birth and extends up to four months later. If the residence visa application is not finalized within this period, penalties may be imposed.
How to Apply for a Newborn’s Residence Visa
Step 1: Acquiring necessary documents
Before heading to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) to apply for your newborn’s residence visa, ensure that you have all the necessary documents. It’s essential to have these documents ready to avoid any delays or complications in the process.
Birth certificate attestation
The first document you’ll need is your child’s birth certificate. If your child was born in Abu Dhabi, the birth certificate should be issued by the local authorities and then attested by the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Birth certificates stamped by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) or Dubai Health Authority (DHA) are recognized as equivalent to the seal of the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
Copy of parents’ passport and residence visa
You will also need copies of the passports and residence visas of both parents. These documents must be valid and not nearing expiration. If the sponsor is a parent, their passport should have at least a six-month validity.
Step 2: Visiting the Amer centre and GDRFA offices
After collecting all the necessary documents, the next step is to visit the Amer centre. Amer centres are service centres distributed across the UAE where residents can complete all visa and residency transactions.
What to expect at the Amer centre
At the Amer centre, you can fill out the application form for your newborn’s residence visa. The staff at the centre will guide you through the process, ensuring you fill out the form correctly and submit all the required documents.
Submit application form and documents at GDRFA offices
Once the application form is filled out and checked, it, along with the rest of the documents, needs to be submitted at the GDRFA offices for further processing. It’s worth noting that you might need to make an appointment before visiting the GDRFA offices, as they usually operate on an appointment basis.
Step 3: Waiting period and processing
After submitting the application, there is a waiting period while the application is processed. During this time, the GDRFA checks the validity of the documents and the information provided in the application. Once everything is verified, the residence visa is issued for the newborn.
Penalties for Delayed Visa Application
As mentioned earlier, UAE law stipulates a grace period of 120 days from the date of birth of the child to finalize the formalities for their residence visa. This is known as the 120-day rule. It’s designed to give parents ample time to gather all the necessary documents and complete the application procedure without rushing.
If the residence visa is not finalized within the 120-day period, a fine of AED 100 per day is imposed for each day over the 120-day period. Additionally, the baby will not be allowed to exit the country until the outstanding fines are paid and the visa is issued. Therefore, it’s crucial to start the process as early as possible to avoid these penalties.
Conclusion
Securing a residence visa for a newborn in Abu Dhabi involves several steps and requires a fair amount of paperwork. However, with the right knowledge and preparation, the process can be relatively straightforward. Remember, starting early is the key to avoiding unnecessary stress and potential fines. Also, keep in mind that rules and procedures can change, so it’s always best to check for the most recent updates from the official UAE government portals or consult with immigration professionals.