New Dubai mom worried about visa deadline for newborn; Abu Dhabi resident has expired passport

I had my first baby six weeks ago and just realised that I have done nothing about getting him his own visa and am worried that we have already passed the deadline if it is 30 days as for other things. Will we be fined if we are late applying for his visa? He will be under my husband's sponsorship, so what does he have to do? RH, Dubai

Firstly, congratulations. You have plenty of time to sort out your son’s visa as there is a grace period of 120 days for newborn babies and this applies to all expats. The procedure is broadly the same for everyone with the occasional minor variation for certain free zones or government employees in respect of the actual paperwork required.

The documents required include the appropriate application form completed by a government typing centre, the baby’s passport and birth certificate plus two photos and their Emirates ID registration form. The passports of the parents will be required (take copies) and their Emirates ID cards. The other items are an attested copy of the tenancy contract, or proof of ownership, the most recent Dewa bill and if working in the private sector, a copy of the sponsor’s tenancy contract. If the sponsor is a company owner then the trade licence is required.

The total cost, including the Emirates ID card, assuming the father is on a standard visa, is in the region of Dh2,000. For a small additional cost you can engage a company to deal with the application on your behalf if you prefer.

I am a foreign resident in the UAE. I have a valid resident visa that expires at the end of this year but my passport expired two weeks ago. Is it possible for me to exit the country on a return ticket with the recently expired passport? HO, Abu Dhabi

A passport is an internationally recognised document that proves a person’s identity and as such it is standard practice that a valid passport is required to travel both out of one country and into another one.

An expired passport is no longer a valid travel document so it is not possible to exit the UAE, except in a very few exceptional circumstances with the prior agreement of the authorities. HO must therefore obtain a new passport from his home country before he can travel and will then need to travel with both the new passport and the expired one as this will include his UAE residency visa.

Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser and senior partner with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with over 20 years’ experience. Contact her at [e-mail]. Follow her on Twitter at @FinancialUAE.

The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only.