UAE Allows Foreign Residents to Adopt Children

Child Adoption Revolution in UAE: Residents Eligible

The United Arab Emirates is taking its child protection system to the next level. According to recently announced amendments to the law, not only Emirati citizens, but also foreign residents in the country can now apply to foster children with unknown parental background, given they meet certain conditions. Federal Decree No. 12 of 2025 lays new foundations for foster care rights and responsibilities.

Previous system – who could become foster parents?

Previously, only Emirati citizens, primarily couples or single Emirati women, could apply for foster parent status. This restriction left many foreign families residing in the UAE without the opportunity, even though many had stable backgrounds, adequate income, and the intention to provide care.

The new provisions expand the circle of eligible applicants, marking a milestone not only from a humanitarian but also from a social integration perspective. The goal is clear: to provide even more loving and secure homes for children without known families.

Who can now apply as foster parents?

According to the amended Article 6, the following couples are eligible for foster parent status:

- They live in a marital relationship within the United Arab Emirates.

- Both partners have resident status.

- Both must be at least 25 years old.

- Neither has been convicted of a crime affecting honor or public trust, even if later rehabilitated.

- Neither suffers from an infectious disease or any psychological disorder that could jeopardize the child's well-being.

- They are financially capable of taking care of a child.

- They meet all additional requirements set by the ministry or local authorities.

This means, for example, that specific emirates such as Dubai or Abu Dhabi may implement their own regulations, detailing the conditions further.

Eligibility of single women

The decree also allows single women to take on the role of foster parent, under the following conditions:

- The individual resides in the UAE and has resident status.

- Is single, divorced, or widowed.

- Is at least 30 years old.

- No final conviction affecting honor or trust is recorded against her.

- She is healthy, free from infectious or psychological diseases.

- She is financially capable of caring for the child.

- She meets any subsequent federal or local requirements.

Obligations and checks

Every applicant must commit in writing to provide a stable, loving, and secure environment for the child. A special provision prohibits foster parents from influencing the child's officially recorded identity or religious beliefs in any way.

Oversight committees have broad powers: they can monitor the child's upbringing, education, healthcare, and other aspects defined in the decree. The aim is to protect the child and ensure their well-being.

Moreover, all local authorities are required to forward data, documents, and statistics to the Ministry of Social Development to ensure the decree's implementation is traceable and controllable.

When can foster care rights be revoked?

The law also details the cases in which foster care rights can be revoked. This can occur if:

- The foster family or single woman loses the conditions necessary for eligibility (e.g., moves out of the UAE or loses resident status).

- They breach their obligations.

- They violate the decree's provisions.

In such cases, decisions are made based on reports from social researchers and cannot be appealed. In cases of minor omissions, a corrective action plan with concrete deadlines can be imposed. Ignoring this, however, automatically leads to the withdrawal of foster care rights.

Why is this change important?

This new regulation holds significant importance on multiple levels:

From a social perspective: It offers wider opportunities for child care, increasing the chances that every child grows up in a loving and stable environment.

From an integration perspective: It allows foreign residents to become even more integrated into the UAE's social fabric, strengthening community responsibility.

From a legal certainty perspective: The decree provides clear and strictly regulated frameworks for both applicants and children.

Closing thoughts

The United Arab Emirates regularly introduces innovations not just in the economic and infrastructural fields but also leads in progressive social reforms. The newly introduced foster care regulation is exemplary: it offers opportunity and protection, expanding the social support network while ensuring the children's well-being through strict oversight. This decree brings new hope to those wishing to start a family—regardless of their origin, as long as they live in the UAE and comply with the regulations.

(Source: Official Gazette Decree No. 12 of 2025) img_alt: Young Arab woman teaching with creative toys at a Muslim home.