Schooling Your Child in Another Emirate: Dubai Visa Explained

Schooling Your Child in Another Emirate: Dubai Visa Explained

Foreign workers in the United Arab Emirates often face issues not only related to employment but also to organizing their family life. Among these is the common dilemma of whether it is possible to enroll a child in a school in another emirate with a visa issued in a specific emirate. This question becomes particularly relevant when a parent receives a job opportunity in Dubai, for instance, but for family or logistical reasons, their child would live and study in another emirate, such as Ras Al Khaimah.

Legal Background - What Does UAE Law Say?

The residence and family reunification of foreign nationals in the UAE are regulated by Federal Law No. 29 of 2021, Article 9 of which allows resident visa holders to bring their immediate family members – including children – if they meet the conditions set forth in the applicable implementing regulation.

Resident visas are issued by the authorities of the respective emirate, such as the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, but they are valid across all seven emirates. This means that if a parent gets a job in Dubai and their visa is issued there, in principle, their child can reside or be schooled in any other emirate without breaking any laws.

What Is Required for Schooling in Ras Al Khaimah?

To enroll a child in a school in another emirate, the following conditions need to be met:

The parent must have a valid resident visa, which allows the child to be sponsored (i.e., obtain a residence permit).

As a condition for sponsorship, the parent must meet minimum income and adequate housing requirements, often translating to a monthly income of at least 3,000–4,000 AED and proof of housing.

The child's residence in Ras Al Khaimah is possible if a close relative living there undertakes the child's care.

The child's schooling is regulated by the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge and the UAE Ministry of Education, which accept resident visas issued in other emirates if all necessary documents are in order.

Appointment of a Temporary Guardian – What Might the School Request?

Since the child would be living with a relative in Ras Al Khaimah instead of the parent, the school may request submission of a written authorization officially designating the relative as the child's temporary guardian. This doesn't mean legal guardianship but is solely for school affairs, such as:

Picking up and dropping off the child from school.

Participation in parent-teacher meetings.

Making health or emergency decisions.

This document is usually issued by the parent and handed over to the school, often during the first enrollment.

Administrative Steps and Recommended Documents

The following documents may be required for schooling:

The parent's resident visa (from Dubai);

The child's sponsorship document;

The child's birth certificate;

The child's vaccination record;

Proof of residence in Ras Al Khaimah (e.g., lease agreement in the sibling’s name);

Authorization for the sibling to handle school affairs.

Having these documents in place significantly eases the enrollment process, as the school then does not inquire separately about the location of the visa issuance but only verifies whether the child officially resides in Ras Al Khaimah and has a valid residence permit.

Practical Benefits and Potential Challenges

Benefits:

The parent can work in Dubai while the child grows up in a family environment in Ras Al Khaimah.

Schools accept visas issued from another emirate.

It offers a flexible option for those who work as singles and need assistance in raising their children.

Challenges:

Daily commuting between Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai is not feasible – residence and school must be close to each other.

Some schools might follow stricter internal policies, so it's advisable to inquire with the specific institution in advance.

The formal requirements for authorization may vary – official translation or notarization might be needed.

Summary

With a visa issued in Dubai, enrolling a child in a school in another emirate, such as Ras Al Khaimah, is entirely legal, provided that all necessary documents are available and the child receives proper care. The UAE legal system flexibly handles such situations, especially when a close relative is involved in the child's upbringing and can manage daily tasks.

Experience shows that many single parents opt for this approach, which allows for balancing work and family life across different emirates in the UAE.

(Source of the article: Based on UAE Ministry of Education.)