Emirati National Law, which is based on jus sanguinis (right of blood), determines the conditions required to acquire UAE citizenship. According to that, individuals can become citizens of the UAE through descent, naturalization, and marriage. However, the tables have turned following the country’s 2021 regulations: the UAE became a more favorable place to relocate to, thanks to the career opportunities it harbors.
With the new regulation, highly qualified individuals can obtain UAE citizenship if they meet certain criteria. In this article, we will delve into the requirements and application process in detail.
What to Discover in This Guide?
Key Points of Getting a UAE Citizenship
- There are a few ways to obtain a UAE Citizenship. These include naturalization, descent, marriage and exceptional merit.
- Citizenship through exceptional merit targets the Non-UAE citizens such as scientists, creative individuals, qualified specialists, inventors and investors.
- The benefits of UAE citizenship include visa-free access to more than 180 countries, a high quality of life, diverse investment options, job and tax opportunities.
- The cost of UAE citizenship equals AED 2 million ($ 550,000) (exceptional fees not included).
- Dual citizenship has been permitted in the UAE since 2021. Therefore, individuals can keep their citizenship in their home country while being a UAE citizen.
Benefits of the UAE Citizenship
You might be unaware, but there are many benefits of United Arab Emirates citizenship. We’ve listed some of the main benefits below:
- The UAE citizenship gives you and your family the right to live, work, and study in the Emirates.
- As an applicant, you’re allowed to add your spouse and children to the program.
- The United Arab Emirates allows you to register your assets without the restrictions that are faced by foreigners and expats.
- As in any country, there is a lot of red tape and bureaucracy for foreigners to open a bank account or start a company in the UAE. This is not the case for UAE citizens, it becomes a straightforward process. You can easily do these when you become a UAE citizen.
- A United Arab Emirates passport will get you into around 180 countries, including the European Schengen states, without the need for a visa.
4 Ways to Get a UAE Citizenship
Before the regulation in 2021, the UAE used to provide citizenship only to the following:
- People whose mother or father is a citizen of the UAE, regardless of whether they are born abroad or in the UAE.
- Non-UAE citizen women who have been married to a UAE citizen for at least seven years
- Nationals of other countries who have lived in the Emirates for at least 30 years and can speak fluent Arabic (This case also required the said person to renounce any other citizenship)
Foreigners who have honorably received a UAE passport from one of the heads of the Emirates. While this was the case in the early days, the Emirates later made regulations to grant citizenship to qualified foreigners. The objective of this turnabout was to provide the state with a rapid rate of development until 2071, the year when it hits 100.
1. Citizenship by Descent
To obtain a UAE citizenship by descent, individuals need to meet the conditions stated below:
- Being a descendant of any Arab family who lived in the UAE before 1925 and continued living till 1972.
- Being a person whose father is a UAE citizen, regardless of where you are born.
- Having an Emirati mother, whose connection to the father is not legally known.
- Having an Emirati mother and a stateless father.
- Individuals who are born in the UAE without knowing their parents.
2. Citizenship By Marriage
Being married to a UAE citizen opens the door to citizenship after you meet certain criteria. Here you can see:
- First, UAE citizens need the Court’s approval to marry a foreigner.
- The foreigner must already have a residence visa, a health report, and a clean criminal record.
- A foreign man married to an Emirati woman cannot directly grant citizenship.
- Women can get an Emirati citizenship through two conditions: being married to a UAE citizen for at least seven years with at least one child, while ten years if they do not have any child.
3. Citizenship By Naturalization
Naturalization means individuals can get the UAE Citizenship after fulfilling certain criteria set by the Emirati National Law. Previously, if you did not have any Arab parents, you could not obtain citizenship by naturalization. However, with the updates in the law, non-UAE citizens can be granted citizenship as long as they meet the following conditions:
- A clear criminal record,
- Fluency in Arabic language,
- Being a good character,
- Legal income source,
- Having a good academic qualification,
- Residing in the country for more than 30 years.
4. Citizenship By Exceptional Merit
Since 2021, the UAE government has permitted citizenship by exceptional merit. Thus, highly-qualified professionals can become citizens of the UAE. These applicants can be:
|
Category |
Description |
|
Investors |
Public investment Real estate investment |
|
Entrepreneurs |
Owner of a registered startup Approved idea of a startup Founder of a startup that was sold outside or inside the UAE |
|
Exceptional talents |
Culture & Art Inventors & Innovators Sports Digital technology |
|
Scientists & Professionals |
Scientists Chief Executives & Senior Officials Science Professionals Engineering Professionals Health Professionals Education Professionals Business and Administration Professionals Information Technology Professionals Legal, Social, and Cultural Professionals |
|
Outstanding Students & Graduates |
Best performing secondary school students Best graduates from UAE universities Graduates of the best 100 universities worldwide |
|
Humanitarian Pioneers |
Renowned members of international and regional organizations and associations of public benefit Recipients of awards in humanitarian fields Volunteers and sponsors of humanitarian efforts |
|
Frontline Heroes |
Frontline workers who show extraordinary efforts in crises, such as pandemics |
Who May Get UAE Citizenship?
After the UAE gave start to its efforts regarding the state’s further development, a couple of foreign categories were identified to specify who the suitable applicants for UAE citizenship would be. Find below the list of these categories and related requirements:
1. Scientists
- Having had a career as an active researcher
- A professional and academic experience of a minimum of 10 years
- Delivering a reference letter from an acknowledged academic institution
- Having received at least one international award for contributing to a scholarship/a research grant of significance in the last 10 years
2. Creative individuals
- Having at least one international achievement award
- Delivering a recommendation letter from a government agency in the related field
- Being innovative in the field
- Having one or more patented inventions
3. Qualified specialists and physicians
- A minimum of 10 years of experience
- Being specialized in a unique scientific field, following the techniques in demand in the UAE
- Being a member of a renowned organization in the related scientific field
- Holding an acknowledged contribution to an ongoing scientific research
4. Inventors
- Having one or more patents that the UAE Ministry of Economy or another renowned international body has approved
- Delivering a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy
5. Investors
There have been no solid criteria established for this category yet. However, the probable eligible candidates are those who hold a long-term visa and make a significant investment in the UAE real estate or the UAE economy in general.
Those who meet the criteria and complete the legal processes are eligible applicants for UAE citizenship. Children and spouses of these applicants can be included in the citizenship application, as well.
Application Process for UAE Citizenship in 3 Steps
Although there are no established procedures regarding the application process yet, there are some criteria to sort out the eligible candidates.
Step 1: Reviewing
Each applicant is reviewed independently by a main advisory committee and sub-committees that are appointed by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.
Step 2: Pre-Approval
Sub-committees check all data and nominate the candidates in the categories if they are found qualified for citizenship.
Step 3: Approval
Following the approval of the application, it is redirected to the advisory committee, which consists of one representative from each Emirate for the definitive statement.
The process, however, is more complex than it seems. You may not get citizenship even if you meet all the professional requirements. The final decision is substantially up to the Executive Council, the Rulers, the Crown Princes’ Courts, and the Cabinet, which, frankly speaking, is no picnic.
On the other hand, obtaining a UAE Golden Visa that allows you to reside and work in the UAE may be a convenient alternative. You can benefit from the many advantages of an Emirate ID by holding a Golden Visa and you can include your family members in the program, as well.
FAQs on UAE Citizenship
What are the criteria for UAE citizenship?
One option is to obtain UAE citizenship by naturalization after 30 years of residency in the country. Foreigners with valid residency permission can marry an Emirati national and petition for citizenship. The Emirati government can also confer citizenship based on outstanding merit.
Does Dubai allow dual citizenship?
According to the Emirati National Law updated in 2021, Dubai allows dual citizenship. Thus, it allows you to have a second citizenship along with your home country.
Will I get Dubai citizenship if I buy a house in Dubai?
No, buying a house in Dubai will not be enough for citizenship. It requires a different and complex process.
How long does it take to get UAE citizenship?
It is based on the citizenship type. Citizenship by marriage can take 7 to 10 years, while citizenship by naturalization may take up to 30 years.
