Middle East Travel & Immigration Update: UAE Tightens Newborn Residency Rules, Impacting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Beyond
Last Updated: January 18, 2026
Several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran, are witnessing shifts in travel and residency dynamics as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) introduces stricter digital procedures for newborn residency permits.
The changes, designed to modernize immigration systems and reduce bureaucracy, are already prompting families and expatriates across the region to adjust to new timelines and digital requirements.
What Is Changing in the UAE?
The UAE has rolled out a fully digital application process for newborn residence permits. Parents must now complete all submissions online within 120 days of a child’s birth, eliminating the need for in-person paperwork.
Authorities say the move aligns with broader digital governance reforms aimed at improving efficiency and transparency.
How This Affects Middle Eastern Expatriate Families
Families from Saudi Arabia and Qatar — two of the largest expatriate groups in the UAE — are among those adapting to the new process. While digital systems promise long-term efficiency, initial adjustment challenges remain for residents unfamiliar with online government platforms.
Expatriates from Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran are also impacted, as all nationalities must comply with the same submission deadlines and documentation requirements.
Border Delays and Regional Travel Adjustments
Although the policy does not directly restrict travel, delays may arise when residency documentation is incomplete or pending. This reflects a wider regional shift toward tech-enabled border and immigration systems across the Gulf and Middle East.
Travelers and residents are encouraged to plan ahead, remain informed, and ensure all documents are valid before moving between countries.
Helpful Tools for Travelers and Expatriates
As immigration systems evolve, digital tools can help reduce stress and uncertainty:
What This Means Going Forward
The UAE’s move reflects a broader regional trend toward digital immigration management. While transitions can create temporary friction, experts believe these systems may eventually streamline residency and cross-border movement.
For expatriate families, awareness and preparation remain the strongest safeguards against disruption.
Closing Reflection
In an increasingly connected world, borders are no longer defined solely by geography, but by systems, timelines, and digital access. As policies evolve, informed travelers are best positioned to move confidently and compliantly.
Sabatex Global | World News & Human Stories
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