The UAE has introduced major reforms to its foster care framework, allowing non-Emirati residents to sponsor and care for children of unknown parentage a move that marks a significant step toward inclusive, modernised child welfare regulations.
Issued under Federal Decree-Law No. 12 of 2025, the amendments update the existing 2022 law on the guardianship of children of unknown parentage. For the first time, expatriate married couples and single women can apply to foster children under state care, expanding access beyond the previously restricted Emirati-only system.
This Article is a Part of Our Family and Personal Status Law Services.
Table of Contents
Key Changes Under the New Law
- Foster Care Open to All Nationalities
The amended law allows:
- Married couples of any nationality or religion, each aged 25 and above, to apply for foster care.
- Single women aged 30 and above to serve as guardians, with no upper age limit.
This inclusive eligibility marks a major departure from earlier rules that only permitted married Emirati Muslim couples and Emirati Muslim women aged 30–50 to foster children.
- Strengthened Oversight and Eligibility Requirements
Under the revised framework, applicants must meet clear criteria to ensure child safety and stability, including:
- Demonstrating financial ability to support the child
- Passing suitability assessments
- Agreeing not to alter the child’s identity, name, or religious beliefs
The authorities will maintain increased oversight to ensure high standards of care and long-term security for fostered children.
- Foster Care, Not Legal Adoption
The law maintains the existing distinction between guardianship (foster care) and adoption. Under the UAE’s legal framework:
- Fostered children do not acquire inheritance rights
- They cannot be added to the foster family’s lineage
This preserves the principles of UAE personal status and family law while enabling children to grow up in stable, supportive homes.
Impact and Significance of the New Foster Care Reform
This policy shift carries broad social significance:
- Expands the pool of capable guardians in a country where expatriates make up a large majority of the population.
- Enhances the welfare and protection of children of unknown parentage, offering them more opportunities for family-based care instead of institutional settings.
- Reflects the UAE’s evolving legal landscape, aligning family laws with international best practices and the country’s multicultural reality.
Legal experts note that these amendments strengthen the country’s child protection ecosystem while ensuring compliance with social, cultural, and religious considerations.
A Major Shift From an Emirati-Only System
For many years, foster care in the UAE was limited to Emirati Muslim families, reflecting a system designed around cultural, social, and religious considerations. Expatriates who form nearly 90% of the UAE’s population were entirely excluded from fostering children of unknown parentage, leaving many vulnerable children dependent on institutional care rather than family environments.
The newly announced amendments under Federal Decree-Law No. 12 of 2025 mark a landmark change. For the first time, the UAE is opening foster care eligibility to non-Emirati couples and single women, signalling a progressive shift toward inclusive and globally aligned child welfare practices.
What the 2022 Law Provided
The earlier framework, Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2022, regulated the care and guardianship of children of unknown parentage or those classified as “under care.” Under that law:
- Only married Emirati Muslim couples and
- Emirati Muslim single women aged 30–50
were eligible to become guardians.
The law also established that foster care is not adoption children do not inherit from guardians, nor do they become part of the family lineage, as UAE personal status law does not recognise adoption in the Western sense.
While the 2022 law strengthened the welfare protections for children under state care, it remained restrictive in terms of who could provide foster homes. The 2025 amendments significantly widen this scope.
What the New 2025 Amendments Allow
Under the updated provisions:
- Married couples of any nationality or religion, each aged 25 and above, may apply to foster a child.
- Single women aged 30 and above are eligible to become guardians, with no upper age limit.
- Enhanced oversight, suitability screening, and compliance requirements have been introduced.
This reform expands support for children of unknown parentage and aligns the UAE’s child welfare approach with its multicultural demographic reality.
Application Process: How Residents Can Apply for Foster Care
Although detailed guidelines may vary by emirate, the general application framework involves the following steps:
- Submitting an Application
Residents must apply through the Department of Community Development (DCD) or the equivalent child protection authority in their emirate. Applications typically include:
- Emirates IDs of applicants
- Passports and visas
- Marriage certificate (for couples)
- Proof of UAE residency
- Financial statements/salary certificates
- Health certificates (medical fitness reports)
- Police clearance certificate
- Proof of suitable housing
- Initial Assessment
Authorities conduct a preliminary review to check:
- Age eligibility
- Financial stability
- Legal standing
- Overall suitability
- Home Study and Social Evaluation
A social worker will carry out:
- A home inspection
- An interview with family members
- Assessment of emotional readiness
- Evaluation of living conditions
- Approval and Matching
Once approved, the applicant is placed on the foster care registry.
Authorities then match eligible families with children based on:
- Child’s age
- Special needs
- Cultural considerations
- Stability of the household
- Continuing Oversight
After placement:
- Regular home visits
- Periodic reporting
- Compliance with the child’s identity, name, and religious protection
- Support programs for the foster family
These steps ensure that the child’s welfare remains the central priority.
Safeguards for the Child
To ensure that every child placed under foster care receives consistent protection and support, the UAE’s updated framework introduces several key safeguards:
- Periodic Visits by Social Workers
Dedicated social workers conduct scheduled and unscheduled home visits to assess the child’s well-being, living conditions, and relationship with the guardian. These evaluations help identify any concerns early and ensure that the foster environment remains safe, stable, and nurturing.
- Annual Renewal and Review of Guardianship
Guardianship arrangements are subject to yearly review by the relevant authority. During renewal, officials reassess financial stability, emotional suitability, living arrangements, and compliance with legal obligations ensuring that placement continues to serve the best interests of the child.
- Mandatory Training and Pre-Placement Briefings
Before a child is placed, guardians must attend orientation sessions or training programs. These briefings cover child rights, cultural and identity protection requirements, behavioural guidance, and emergency response procedures, enabling guardians to understand their responsibilities and provide informed, supportive care.
Why This Reform Matters
The 2025 amendment carries broad and meaningful implications:
- Larger pool of foster families:
Expat participation significantly expands the number of capable guardians in a nation where expatriates are the majority.
- Improved long-term welfare for children:
More children of unknown parentage can access stable, nurturing family environments instead of institutional facilities.
- Alignment with international norms:
The reform reflects the UAE’s commitment to strengthening child protection in line with global best practices.
- Enhanced monitoring and accountability:
Updated screening, identity safeguards, and ongoing oversight introduce a more robust and responsible foster care system.
What This Means for Expatriates
For expatriates living long-term in the UAE, this reform has substantial practical and emotional significance:
- It provides a pathway to build a family through foster care previously impossible under UAE law.
- Long-term residents can now contribute meaningfully to the country’s social fabric by providing homes for vulnerable children.
- It signals greater legal inclusivity, showing that the UAE is adapting its social policies to the realities of a diverse expatriate population.
- Families who were previously dependent on foreign adoption processes can now explore a regulated UAE-based option.
- It creates new opportunities for residents committed to humanitarian and community-focused roles.
This inclusion marks a noteworthy shift in how expatriates are integrated into the UAE’s broader social ecosystem.
A Progressive Step in the UAE’s Social Policy Development
By opening foster care to expatriates and modernising regulatory standards, the UAE reinforces its commitment to a humane, inclusive, and forward-looking society. The new law balances cultural sensitivities with the urgent need to provide vulnerable children with safe, loving, and permanent homes.
