ARTICLE
9 December 2016

UAE Family Matters: Can I Bring My Children From A Previous Marriage To The UAE?

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Dr. Hassan Elhais

Contributor

Dr. Hassan Elhais, a long-standing member of the prestigious Amal Alrashedi Lawyers & Legal Consultants, is a renowned legal consultant in the UAE, specializing in family law, criminal law, civil law, company incorporation, construction law, banking law, inheritance law, and arbitration. Dr. Elhais has gained wide recognition in the country, winning numerous awards and accolades. He was declared the Legal Consultant of the Year in 2026 by Leaders in Law. He was also elected as the co-chair of the ‘Relocation of Children Committee’ of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), a worldwide association of practicing lawyers, widely regarded as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries. Dr. Hassan Elhais’s continued recognition in the 2025 Chambers and Partners rankings for Family/Matrimonial services to High-Net-Worth individuals in the UAE from 2022-2025.
Question: I am planning to move to the UAE. Will I be able to have residency visas issued and bring my children from my ex-wife to live with me in the UAE?
United Arab Emirates Family and Matrimonial
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Question: I am planning to move to the UAE. Will I be able to have residency visas issued and bring my children from my ex-wife to live with me in the UAE? I am currently married and the custody of the kids - a nine-year-old boy and six-year-old girl - is officially with me, as per my home country divorce judgement.

Answer: From a legal standpoint, you can bring your kids to the UAE since you have a court judgement granting you official custody of your children. In the event, your ex-wife raises a complaint in the UAE courts to demand custody of your children, you have a right to show the official judgement from your home country to the court and request to cease the official proceedings in the UAE after getting the foreign judgement enforced before the local courts.

Question: We are non-Muslim expatriates residing in the UAE. I was planning to send my wife back home since she is pregnant. However, because of the doctor's recommendation, I did not cancel her visa and send her back before the delivery of our child. Do I have to apply for a residence visa for my newborn child before I send them back? Will I face any problem with the immigration authorities?

Answer: As per the laws of UAE, after the delivery of a baby, the newborn will have 120 days of legal stay in the country. During this period, you are free to decide whether you want to apply and complete the visa procedures for the child or obtain a leave permit and send your baby back to your home country. Kindly bear in mind that the maximum period of legal stay permitted is 120 days.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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