Expat guide to giving birth in the UAE

Having a child is a huge step for married couples as they begin to prepare for parenthood. This transition can seem more like a jump for couples who are having their first child, and this jump can turn into a leap for couples living abroad.

This means more thought and preparation needs to be given to the newborns registration and documents required on and after birth. However, this process can be simplified by planning ahead and ensuring you have all your ducks in a row when the little prince or princess arrives.

Opening a Maternity file

Once the couple has agreed to deliver the baby in the UAE, you will need to open a Maternity File at the hospital where you plan on giving birth. This step can be done on your initial scan and visit to the hospital if you have the following documents ready to present to the medical staff:

Notifying your Employer

If you are currently employed and pregnant, it is essential to notify your employer as soon as reasonably possible. As per the UAE Labour Law Article No. 30, a working woman is entitled to a paid maternity leave of 45 calendar day’s including the time before and after delivery. If the woman has completed one year of continuous employment for the same employer, she is entitled to full pay during her maternity leave; otherwise, she will be entitled to half pay.

Additionally, for a period of 18 months following the date of delivery, the woman is entitled to two additional breaks each day, not exceeding thirty minutes for nursing her child or breast pumping.

Baby's Birth Certificate

From the date the baby is born, the parents will have 30 days to register the baby’s birth and obtain the birth certificate before being fined.

A birth certificate will automatically be issued for mothers giving birth in government hospitals. As for mothers who give birth in private hospitals, these parents will need to apply directly to the Ministry of Health and Prevention in order to obtain the baby’s birth certificate.

When babies are born in private hospitals, they are initially issued a document called Notification of Birth along with a Discharge Summary from the hospital. The Notification of Birth is not a birth certificate and the parents will need to proceed to the Ministry of Health and Prevention to obtain the baby’s birth certificate. The documents required to obtain the baby’s birth certificate include:

The original birth certificate will be printed in Arabic but the parents can also request to obtain an English version. After receiving the baby’s birth certificate the parents should have both the Arabic and English birth certificates attested by the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Informing Insurance Provider & Immunisation Book 

From the date the baby is born, the parents will have 30 days to apply for the baby’s insurance and health card before being fined.

The Immunisation Book which is required for the parents to obtain the baby’s first health card, can be obtained after the parents receive the baby’s birth certificate. This Immunisation Book will enable the baby to get all the requisite vaccinations after birth.

Baby's First Passport

Parents will have 120 days from the date of the baby’s birth to obtain the baby’s first passport, residency visa and Emirates ID, before being fined.

This procedure varies depending on the parents’ home country or countries, so it is advised to contact your respective embassy as soon as reasonably possible to ensure you follow the correct procedures and guidelines. Typically, embassies will issue the baby’s first passport within 10 weeks from the date of the application, so it is essential to speak with your embassy before the baby is born.

Baby's First Residency Visa

After receiving the baby’s first passport, the parent’s will need to apply for the baby’s residency visa. This requires the parents to proceed to the closest Tas’heel to obtain a typed visa application form. After receiving the completed application, the parents will procced to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs to submit the application. The following documents are required for the baby’s first residency visa:

Baby's First Emirates ID

After the baby has received his or hers UAE residency visa, the parents can proceed to their local Emirates ID Authority to submit the Emirates ID application. The follow documents are required when obtaining your baby’s first Emirates ID:

In conclusion, parenthood can be a stressful time to navigate, but following these simple guidelines will help relieve some of the pressure and make you and your partners lives a little easier when the little one is born.