Dubai: The number of expatriates living in the UAE with their families is increasing. There are those who bring their wives and other relatives on visit visas.
Having a child is a big milestone in the life of a married couple. It also has a great feature if it is the first child. What rules should expatriates follow if a baby is born while in the UAE?
1. Notify the employer
If you are currently employed and pregnant, it is essential that you notify your employer as soon as possible. According to the UAE Labor Law No. 30, a working woman is entitled to 45 days of paid maternity leave, including the time before and after childbirth. Full salary during maternity leave is entitled to one year of continuous work for the same employer, otherwise half salary. In addition, 18 months after the date of delivery, the baby is entitled to two additional breaks each day to breastfeed, this break being at least 30 minutes.
2. Child’s birth certificate
Parents have 30 days from the date of birth to register the birth and obtain a birth certificate. A late fee will be charged. Birth certificates will be issued automatically to those who give birth in government hospitals. For those who give birth in private hospitals, they need to apply directly to the Ministry of Health and Defense to obtain a birth certificate. When babies are born in private hospitals, a birth notification document is first issued along with the discharge paper from the hospital. A birth notification is not a birth certificate.
Required Documents
* Marriage Certificate – Copy and Original
* Husband’s passport and visa – copy and original
* Wife’s passport and visa – copy and original
* Emirates ID of husband – copy and original
* Wife’s Emirates ID – copy and original
* Records from the hospital
The original birth certificate will be in Arabic, but parents can request an English version. After receiving the baby’s birth certificate, the parents must carry Arabic and English birth certificates certified by the Ministry of Health and Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
3. Insurance and Immunization
Parents have 30 days from the date of birth to apply for the child’s insurance and health card. A late fee will be charged. Immunization book required to get baby’s first health card is available after parents get the child’s birth certificate. This book will help the baby get all the necessary immunizations after birth.
4. Passport of the child
Parents have up to 120 days from the date of birth of their child to obtain their child’s passport, residency visa and Emirates ID. If not, fine will be charged. Contact your embassy as soon as possible. Normally, the embassy will issue the baby’s first passport within 10 weeks from the date of application. It is a good idea to talk to your embassy before the baby is born.
5. Child residence visa
After receiving the child’s first passport, the parent needs to apply for the child’s residency visa. Parents should visit the nearest thasleeh center to get the typed visa application form. After receiving the completed application, parents should go to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs to submit the application.
These documents are required:
* Father’s Passport and Visa – Color Copy and Original (Sponsor)
* Mother’s passport and visa – color copy and original
* Child’s passport – color copy and original
* Baby’s Arabic and English birth certificates
* Three passport size photographs of the child
* Marriage Certificate – Copy and Original
* Father’s salary certificate from employer
6. Child’s Emirates ID
After receiving the UAE residency visa, the child can go to the local Emirates ID authority to submit the Emirates ID application. These documents are required:
* Emirates ID application
* Father’s passport and visa – color copy and original
* Baby’s Arabic and English birth certificates
* Child’s passport – color copy and original
* Child residence visa
* Two passport size photographs of the child
