Adoption in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is illegal. The UAE operates underSharia (Islamic) law, which prohibits traditionaladoption. Instead, the country allows a system ofkafala, wherein families provide care, support, and upbringing for a child without granting them the full legal status of an adopted child, such as inheritance rights. This system only allows citizens of the country to foster. Though adoption within the country is illegal, children adopted from other countries by expatriates are recognized.
Adoption is illegal in theUnited Arab Emirates.[1] Article 24 of Federal Law No. 3 of 2016, also known asWadeema's Law, states that a child deprived of a biological family has the right to care from a foster family or public and private institutions, if a foster family is not available.[2][3] A foster couple must beEmiratis, Muslim, residents of the UAE, at least 25 years of age, have no criminal record, be free of severe physical or psychological illnesses, and have the ability to support the child.[1] Single women must be at least 30, while single men are not eligible.[4] The country provides foster families with monthly financial assistance. TheEmirates Red Crescent facilitates sponsorship programmes for orphans within the country.[5] The UAE recognizes children adopted from other countries byexpatriates.[6]
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