Congratulations on your new arrival! Between the sleepless nights and the celebrations, there is one administrative deadline new parents in the UAE cannot afford to miss: your baby must be registered and visaed within 120 days of birth. Miss it, and fines start accruing on your newborn.
This 2026 guide covers the newborn visa UAE cost, the documents you need (including the attested birth certificate), and the exact step-by-step process, so you can get the paperwork done and get back to what matters.
Fee caveat: All costs in this article are indicative as of 2026. Confirm current fees with ICP/GDRFA before applying.
The 120-Day Rule: What It Means
UAE law requires that a child born in the country be registered and issued a residence visa within 120 days of the birth date. This is not 120 working days, it is 120 calendar days, and the clock starts on the day your baby is born.
After day 120, overstay fines apply to the child at approximately AED 50 per day (indicative as of 2026, confirm current fines with ICP/GDRFA). Because the process involves hospital paperwork, attestations, and government applications, most PROs advise parents to start within the first 30 days and aim to finish by day 60. That buffer protects you against attestation delays, which are the most common cause of missed deadlines.
Twins or multiples: the 120-day rule applies to each child separately, and each child needs their own visa file, medical-exempt application, and Emirates ID.
Step-by-Step: Getting a Newborn Visa in the UAE
Step 1: Get the birth certificate from the hospital
The hospital where your baby was born issues an initial birth notification/certificate (in Arabic, and often with an English translation). This usually takes a few days to two weeks. Ask the hospital's PRO desk exactly which documents they need from you, typically both parents' passports, Emirates IDs, and marriage certificate.
Step 2: Attest the birth certificate
The birth certificate must be attested before immigration will accept it:
- Ministry of Health (or the relevant health authority) attestation
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation
If the birth certificate will also be used in your home country, your embassy/consulate attestation may be needed too. Start attestation immediately, this is the step that most often causes delays. For context on how attestation problems derail applications generally, see why visa applications get rejected.
Step 3: Apply for the baby's entry permit / residence visa
Through GDRFA (Dubai) or ICP (other emirates), file the residence visa application for the newborn under the sponsoring parent's file. The sponsoring parent must hold a valid residence visa and meet the standard family visa requirements, including the minimum salary threshold and Ejari.
Step 4: Emirates ID for the baby
Newborns need an Emirates ID too. The process is simpler than for adults, no biometrics for infants, but the application must still be filed and the card issued.
Step 5: Health insurance
Health insurance is mandatory for all UAE residents, including newborns. Arrange coverage as early as possible, ideally from birth, since neonatal medical costs without insurance can be enormous.
Step 6: Passport for the baby
Apply at your home country's embassy or consulate for the baby's passport. Some nationalities issue passports in days; others take weeks. Start this in parallel with the attestation step, not after, parents who wait for the passport before starting the visa process are the ones who hit the 120-day wall.
Documents Checklist
For the baby:
- Attested birth certificate (MOH + MOFA attested)
- Baby's passport (or passport application receipt, depending on the emirate's rules)
- Passport-size photographs of the baby (white background, most photo studios handle newborns)
For the sponsoring parent:
- Valid residence visa and Emirates ID
- Passport copy
- Salary certificate meeting the minimum threshold (AED 4,000/month for a male sponsor, or AED 3,000 + accommodation, see the family visa cost guide)
- Registered tenancy contract (Ejari) or title deed
- Attested marriage certificate
If the mother is the sponsor: the standard rules for female sponsors apply, including the higher salary threshold.
Newborn Visa UAE Cost: Full Breakdown
Costs vary by emirate and by whether you process it yourself or through a PRO. Indicative ranges as of 2026:
| Item | Indicative cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate issuance + attestations | 200–500 |
| Entry permit / residence visa application | 500–700 |
| In-country status/processing fees | 300–600 |
| Emirates ID (baby) | 100–300 |
| Health insurance (newborn, annual) | 650–2,500+ depending on coverage |
| PRO/typing service fees (optional) | 500–1,500 |
Typical total: roughly AED 2,500–5,000 excluding health insurance, depending on the emirate and service channel. All figures are indicative as of 2026, confirm current fees with ICP/GDRFA before applying.
For the full picture of what sponsoring any family member costs, read our complete 2026 UAE family visa cost breakdown. And if you need hands-on help with the whole file, our newborn baby visa service handles everything from attestation to visa issuance.
Common Mistakes That Blow the 120-Day Deadline
- Waiting for the passport before starting anything. Run the passport application and the attestation/visa process in parallel.
- Underestimating attestation time. MOH + MOFA attestation can take 1–3 weeks if anything needs correction. Start on day one.
- Ejari not in the sponsor's name. The tenancy contract must be registered under the sponsoring parent's name. If you just moved, get the Ejari registered immediately.
- Salary certificate issues. The certificate must show the minimum threshold and be recent. If the sponsor changed jobs recently, sort this early.
- Assuming the hospital handles everything. Hospitals issue the birth notification, everything after that is the parents' responsibility (or their PRO's).
What If You Miss the 120 Days?
Do not panic, but act immediately:
- Check and clear any fines that have accrued on the child's file using our overstay fines guide.
- File the visa application right away, the process is the same, just with fines attached.
- Talk to a PRO if the overstay is long. In some cases, fine-reduction requests are possible with proper documentation of the delay's cause.
Your First 60 Days: A Practical Timeline
To stay comfortably ahead of the 120-day deadline, follow this schedule:
- Days 1–7: Collect the birth notification from the hospital. Gather both parents' passports, Emirates IDs, and marriage certificate.
- Days 7–14: Submit the birth certificate for MOH and MOFA attestation. Simultaneously apply for the baby's passport at your embassy/consulate.
- Days 14–30: Arrange the baby's health insurance. Confirm your Ejari is registered in the sponsor's name and your salary certificate is current.
- Days 30–45: File the residence visa application through GDRFA or ICP, and apply for the baby's Emirates ID.
- Days 45–60: Collect the issued visa and Emirates ID. Verify everything on the official portal with a visa status check.
Finishing by day 60 leaves a full two-month buffer for any corrections, attestation rejections, passport delays, or insurance paperwork. Parents who follow this timeline never pay a single dirham in fines.
Official sources: UAE Government Portal · GDRFA Dubai
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to get a visa for my newborn in the UAE? 120 calendar days from the date of birth. After that, overstay fines of approximately AED 50 per day apply to the child (indicative as of 2026).
How much does a newborn visa cost in the UAE in 2026? Roughly AED 2,500–5,000 excluding health insurance, covering the birth certificate, attestations, visa application, and Emirates ID. Health insurance adds AED 650–2,500+ per year depending on coverage. All figures are indicative, confirm current fees with ICP/GDRFA.
Does my newborn need a medical fitness test? No. Children under 18 are exempt from the medical fitness test. Newborns also skip Emirates ID biometrics.
Can the mother sponsor the newborn's visa? Yes, if she meets the female-sponsor requirements, including the higher minimum salary threshold. See our family visa page for the current thresholds.
What if my home country is slow issuing the baby's passport? Apply for the passport immediately at your embassy/consulate and run the UAE attestation and visa steps in parallel. Some emirates allow the visa process to begin with the passport application receipt, a PRO can confirm the current practice.
Can I travel with my newborn before the visa is issued? It is strongly discouraged. The baby needs a passport and, in most cases, a valid visa or exit documentation to travel. Travelling without completing the registration can complicate re-entry and does not pause the 120-day clock. Finish the process first, it is designed to be completed within two months.
Do I need health insurance for a newborn? Yes, it is mandatory for all UAE residents including newborns, and it is needed before the visa process completes. Arrange it as early as possible.
New parents have enough to worry about. Let PRO VISA UAE, part of NOR ALAYAM Documents Clearing Services LLC, handle your newborn's paperwork: birth certificate attestation, visa application, Emirates ID, and insurance coordination. Call or WhatsApp +971 52 505 3494, or reach us at https://wa.me/971525053494, and we will get it done well before day 120.