"Family first": Foreign residents in UAE can now sponsor children until age 25

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- The UAE government confirmed that foreign residents can sponsor children for residency permits up to a specific age under a federal law currently in force

- Both male and female foreign residents in the UAE are covered under the family residency sponsorship rule, with unmarried daughters eligible regardless of age

- Children with special needs are also covered under the UAE regulation, with no age restriction applying to their residency sponsorship

The United Arab Emirates government has confirmed that foreign nationals living in the country can sponsor their children for residency permits until the age of 25, with additional provisions covering unmarried daughters of any age and children with special needs.

The confirmation comes under Article 54 of the Executive Regulations of Federal Law by Decree No. (29) of 2021, which governs the entry and residence of foreigners in the UAE. The Cabinet issued the accompanying regulations through Resolution No. (65) of 2022.

Who Foreign Residents Can Sponsor for UAE Residency

Under the provision, any foreigner holding valid residency in the UAE, whether male or female, is entitled to bring in a spouse, sons and daughters below the age of 25, and unmarried daughters irrespective of their age.

The regulation also makes a distinct allowance for children with special needs, permitting their sponsorship for residency with no age ceiling attached.

That exception for children with special needs is, however, subject to guidelines established by the Chairman of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICA).

What the Rule Means for African Expatriates in the UAE

The UAE is home to one of the largest expatriate populations in the world, with foreign nationals making up the vast majority of residents in the country.

For Kenyan and other African families living and working there, the rule offers a practical pathway to keeping children close without each family member needing to independently secure a work or student visa before the age threshold is reached.

The inclusion of unmarried daughters with no age limit, alongside children with special needs, reflects a degree of flexibility in the country's residency framework for dependents who may not yet be financially self-sufficient.

In a related story, TUKO.co.ke reported that the UAE had announced two grounds on which foreigners could face deportation even while holding valid residence permits.

UAE Residents Exempted from the 180-Day Abroad Rule

TUKO.co.ke also previously reported that the UAE had identified 11 categories of residents permitted to remain outside the country for more than 180 days without forfeiting their residency status.

For most of those categories, the exemption applies automatically as long as the residence permit remains valid.

One exception involves the fourth category, which covers foreign patients receiving medical treatment in the UAE and their companions. That group must meet an additional condition to retain their residency during extended absences.

Source: Legit.ng

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.