Your Newborn's Emergency Travel Document Is in Arabic. The Airline Might Not Accept It.

You’ve just collected your newborn’s emergency travel document from the consulate. The flight is tomorrow. You look at the document and it’s entirely in Arabic.

Will the airline accept it?

The Problem: Arabic-Only Travel Documents

When a consulate in the UAE issues an emergency travel document (also called an emergency passport or laissez-passer) for a newborn, the document is often issued in Arabic only — or in Arabic plus the consulate’s native language.

This is normal. The document is valid for travel.

But airlines have their own verification processes. Ground staff at the check-in counter need to read the document to confirm the child’s name, nationality, and travel validity. If the agent cannot read Arabic, they may:

• Ask you to provide an English translation
• Call a supervisor (adding 30-60 minutes to check-in)
• Refuse boarding until the document is verified

This last scenario is rare but happens, especially with non-Arab carriers on late-night flights when supervisors are unavailable.

Which Airlines Accept Arabic Documents?

Generally no issue: Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia — staff are trained to read Arabic documents and handle UAE-issued travel papers regularly.

Potential issue: Lufthansa, British Airways, Air India, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and other international carriers. Ground staff may not have Arabic readers available at all times.

The safe approach: Get a certified translation of the emergency travel document into English before heading to the airport. The cost is minimal compared to missing your flight.

The Exit Permit (Outpass)

If your newborn was born in the UAE and does not yet have a residence visa, you also need an Exit Permit from UAE immigration.

Where: Immigration Happiness Center at the airport (arrivals area, Lower Ground floor at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3).

Requirements:

• Both parents must be present
• Original birth certificate (translated if needed)
• Emergency travel document
• Parents’ passports and Emirates IDs
• Sometimes: a copy of the hospital discharge paper

Processing time: 30-60 minutes at the Happiness Center. Factor this into your airport arrival time.

What to Do If You’re Already at the Airport

If you’re at the airport without a translation and the airline is asking for one:

1. WhatsApp a clear photo of the document to +971 50 862 0217
2. We prioritize airport emergencies
3. You receive the certified PDF translation on your phone
4. Show the PDF to the airline agent

This has worked for multiple clients in the past. The airline accepts the digital certified translation alongside the physical Arabic document.

Checklist: Traveling with a Newborn’s Emergency Document

• Emergency travel document from consulate
• English translation of the document (if Arabic-only)
• Exit Permit from Immigration Happiness Center (if no residence visa)
• Original birth certificate + translation
• Both parents’ passports and Emirates IDs
• Hospital discharge paper (some immigration officers request this)
• Arrive 4 hours early to allow time for Exit Permit processing

Cost and Timeline

The emergency travel document translation is a single-page certified translation. Turnaround is 2 hours standard, under 60 minutes for confirmed emergencies. Send via WhatsApp for an exact quote.

The Exit Permit at the Happiness Center is a government process — no translation needed for the permit itself, but your birth certificate and travel document may need to be in English or Arabic depending on the officer.