The UAE has taken another decisive step toward strengthening family systems and child protection across the country. A major update to the foster care framework now allows non-Emirati couples and single women to apply to foster children of unknown parentage. The change, introduced through Federal Decree-Law No. 12 of 2025, reflects the country’s ongoing push to broaden support networks and bring more stability to children who need long-term care.
For many residents, especially those who have lived in Dubai for years and consider the UAE home, this reform feels long overdue. Foster care has always been handled with strict oversight, but access was previously limited. Now, the updated rules bring openness, compassion and more opportunities for residents to contribute meaningfully to a child’s life.
A Major Shift in Who Can Foster in the UAE
Before the new decree, foster care was restricted mainly to Emirati Muslim couples or single Emirati Muslim women within a fixed age range. The previous system was designed for a specific cultural context, but as the UAE grew into a global community, the framework needed a wider lens.
The new law changes that. Resident expats now have a clear path to fostering, regardless of nationality or religion. Married couples of any background can apply, as long as both spouses are at least 25 years old. They must live together in the UAE, show financial capability and meet health and moral conduct requirements.
Single women have also been given space in the system. Under the updated rules, a single woman aged 30 or older — whether unmarried, divorced or widowed — can apply to foster a child. This brings the UAE in line with many global countries where single-parent fostering is widely accepted.
For families living in Dubai’s multicultural neighbourhoods — whether it’s a couple in Jumeirah who have been considering fostering for years, or a single professional in Dubai Marina who feels ready to take on the responsibility — the law finally opens the door.
What the Eligibility Checks Look Like Now
Even with the broader access, the UAE maintains tight safeguards to ensure children remain protected and supported. Applicants must meet key conditions:
- Stable residency: Applicants must live full-time in the UAE.
- Age requirements: Couples must both be 25 or older; single women must be 30 or above.
- Financial readiness: Families must show they can provide for the child without hardship.
- Health standards: Applicants must be in good physical and mental health.
- Clean record: Anyone with convictions related to honour or trust remains ineligible.
- Respect for identity: The child’s background, beliefs and identity must be preserved.
It’s important to understand that foster care is not adoption. Children under care do not automatically become legal heirs, nor are names or lineage changed. The UAE follows a system based on guardianship, ensuring the child’s identity remains protected.
This clarity is especially significant for expat families who may be unfamiliar with the UAE’s legal stance on adoption. The system prioritises stability while honouring cultural and religious guidelines.
A More Balanced Oversight System
Another key part of the law concerns oversight. Previously, if authorities found violations or concerns within a foster home, a child could be removed without warning. While it ensured safety, it also created sudden disruptions for children who had already settled into new homes.
The 2025 law introduces a more structured and balanced approach. A dedicated committee now steps in first. Instead of immediate removal, the committee reviews the situation, offers corrective steps and gives families a chance to resolve issues — unless the case is severe.
This shift aligns with how Dubai itself operates — measured, humane and focused on protecting the child’s long-term emotional stability. It prevents unnecessary breaks in routine and encourages families to address concerns proactively without fear of abrupt separation.
for Dubai’s Expat Community
Dubai is a city where many residents have lived for a decade or more. They build careers, friendships and roots here. Yet for some, the inability to foster or adopt has always felt like a missing piece — especially for long-term residents who see the UAE as their primary home.
This new law gives them a chance to step into caregiving roles with full legal backing. It also allows more children to join supportive homes rather than wait in institutional care.
For instance, an expat couple living in Arabian Ranches who have struggled with fertility challenges now has a legal channel to become foster parents. A single professional woman in Business Bay, who has the means and emotional readiness, can now offer a safe environment to a child without parents.
The law brings dignity to both sides — children get stability, and residents who genuinely want to help finally have a way to do so.
Beyond Just Eligibility
This reform goes deeper than who qualifies. It builds a stronger social ecosystem around the country’s most vulnerable children. With more residents now eligible, the pool of potential foster homes grows, increasing the chances of children finding supportive environments earlier in life.
The law also strengthens the UAE’s position as a family-focused society. In a country where community remains at the centre of decision-making — from family visas to parental leave — allowing expats to foster feels like a natural extension of the UAE’s values.
For many long-term residents, it also serves as reassurance that the UAE recognises their contribution and sees them as part of its social fabric.
The UAE’s decision to expand foster care access marks a meaningful moment for residents and children in need of stable homes. By welcoming non-Emirati couples and single women into the system, the law reflects a more inclusive, compassionate and forward-looking approach to child welfare.
With strong guidelines, balanced oversight and a clear process, the system remains safe, structured and transparent — while giving children a chance to grow in homes filled with stability, routine and care.
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