How to Get UAE Citizenship: Law, Benefits & Requirements 🇦🇪

Introducing

Introducing

According to amendments of the UAE Citizenship Law, taken in January 2021, foreigners living in the Emirates have an opportunity to become citizens of the country. It’s quite a challenging procedure, and not all expats will be able to meet all the requirements needed to obtain a passport. It’s worth noting that real estate agencies do not provide services relating to UAE Citizenship.

Who deals with the granting of citizenship in the Emirates, who is entitled to it, and other features of the procedure – are the questions that will be discussed further in this article.

Who Has The Right to Obtain UAE Citizenship?

Who Has The Right
to Obtain Citizenship?

Before the new amendments, UAE citizenship was mostly given on the basis of naturalization. However, in order to attract talented people and investors to the country, the rules have now changed. As Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and the Vice-President of the UAE, has stated, “The new directives aim to attract talents that contribute to our development journey”. Moreover, the UAE intends to become a leading country in 2071, on its 100th anniversary, which is why the development of the economy, education, social infrastructure, and governance is important for the country.

At the moment, the category of foreigners who have the right to apply for citizenship, has significantly increased and now include:

Doctors, who are specializing in a unique discipline or in any scientific field that is highly required in the Emirates. The applicant should have practical experience of at least 10 years, have acknowledged scientific contributions and a recognized scientific contribution for research with a scientific value, as well as be a member of a reputable organization specializing in his/her field
Scientists should have no less than 10 years of practical experience in their field and be an active researcher in a university, research center or private sector. The applicant should also provide a recommendation letter from a recognized scientific institution, and make important contributions to the scientific field which can be proved by a prestigious scientific award or by a research grant obtained in the past 10 years
Inventors wishing to obtain Emirati citizenship should have a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy, as well as at least one patent approved by the UAE Ministry of Economy or other reputable international body
Individuals with creative talents who are innovators in their fields and have at least one international award. A recommendation letter from government entities is also required
Investors living in the country for a long period of time. There is no exact criteria for investors who have the right to apply for Emirati citizenship. It’s possible that long-term visa holders who have made a significant contribution to the Emirati economy will be able to get a UAE passport

Family members can also apply for Emirati citizenship. It’s worth noting that since 2021 foreigners have the right to hold the Emirati passport and the passport of their country at the same time. However, in case of any changes such as the loss or acquisition of another citizenship, the holder should inform the authorities immediately. Moreover, it can be withdrawn upon breach of the conditions.

Children born in the UAE can become citizens of the country only in several cases:

Whose parents are Emiratis
If the father is an Emirarti citizen and the mother is a foreigner
If the child’s parents identity is unknown until proven otherwise

Other Ways to Become An Emirati Citizen

Other Ways to Become
An Emirati Citizen

Pay attention! Obtaining an Emirati passport is more difficult than getting US or European citizenship.

Previously, there have been other ways to obtain a UAE passport, including:

Marriage between an Emirati citizen and a non-Emirati woman. In this case the woman can get a passport if they are married for seven years and have one child, or for ten years if there are no children. The woman should convert to Islam and understand Arabic
Naturalization, which is available to foreigners with Arabic proficiency if they have lived in the country for 30 years. Citizens of Bahrain, Qatar and Oman have the right to obtain a passport if they have lived in the UAE for 3 years. All foreigners should have a good reputation and be law-abiding citizens
Merits, which are rarely given by the heads of the emirate for foreigners. Such a procedure is authorized by the UAE Government

Benefits of The Emirati Passport

Benefits of The
Emirati Passport

The UAE is a desirable destination for foreigners from all over the world due to a wide range of reasons which include job and business opportunities, warm climate, white sandy beaches, endless shopping and dining options, and its safety and security.

The UAE passport offers a great number of benefits which include:

Free entry to 170 countries around the world
Possibility to obtain free education and medical help
Getting a job in a public institution
Having the right to 100% ownership of commercial enterprises, as well as real estate in any area of the UAE
Pensions and retirement benefits from the age of 49 if you have 20 years of work experience in the country

What Are The Other Ways to Permanently Stay in The UAE?

What Are The Other
Ways to Permanently
Stay in The UAE?

Foreigners can apply for a long-term visa if they wish to stay in the UAE. Among the most popular options ones can consider are:

Freelance visa, which is given for at least 1-year and allows its holders to work in the UAE or abroad. The minimum income of the individual should be AED 19,000 (USD 5,000) per month. Visa holders will get access not only to a wide range of amenities located in the country, but also zero income tax. The price of obtaining this type of visa varies depending on the emirate and the profession. For example, applying for a 1-year IT freelance visa will cost you AED 2,750 (USD 750), while a 3-year permit will cost AED 5,000 (USD 1,400)
Retirement visa, which is given for 5 years, can be obtained by those who invest in a property with a minimum cost from AED 2,000,000 (USD 545,000), have savings of at least AED 1,000,000 (USD 272,000), or whose income is from AED 20,000 (USD 5,500) per month. The visa can be prolonged if the individual meets the requirements
Golden Visa, given for 5 years on several basis, which include investment in real estate with a minimum price of AED 2,000,000 (USD 545,000), including off-plan properties. Holders of this type of visa get the opportunity to live, work and study in the country without any limits, as well as eliminating the need for a local sponsor
Student visa, which is given to outstanding students for 5 years. A school student should have at least 95% grade from secondary school, while a university student should have a GPA of 3.75 or higher

Note: Only the applicant can provide the relevant information via the specified visa centers. You can submit all required documents by uploading them to the DLD Vault.

If you are residing outside of the country, you need to apply for a 6-month multi-entry visa, which allows you to enter the UAE and convert a temporary visa into a residency permit. The price for a multi-entry visa constitutes AED 1,150 (USD 313).

In order to obtain a Golden Visa you should have an NOC letter. The cost of a 5-year and 10-year Golden Visa is AED 4,850 (USD 1,320). Application costs constitute AED 150 (USD 41) and the issuance of visa costs are AED 1,000 (USD 272). So, in total, you will pay around AED 6,000 (USD 1,633).

How to Get UAE Citizenship

How to Get Citizenship

Acquiring Emirati citizenship is done through the Rulers and Crown Princes Courts, Executive Councils, and the Cabinet based on federal entities nominations.

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship handles the issues related to Emirati citizenship. Obtaining the passport might be quite challenging, as every applicant is considered individually under the direction of the Federal Office of Identity and Citizenship.

The Federal Office of Identity and Citizenship, the main advisory committee and subcommittees, are assigned for the different regions and are responsible for verifying all the information. If there are any issues, the data is rechecked and extra-examinations are carried out.

After the approval of the applicant, the information is sent to the main advisory committee which consists of seven representatives, one for each emirate, who then make the final decision.

How Can We Help?

How Can We Help?

The UAE is a popular destination among foreigners in terms of tourism and moving to. If you are interested in purchasing an apartment, villa or townhouse in any part of the UAE, Metropolitan Premium Properties is ready to assist you. We will help you choose the right property corresponding to your needs and budget, prepare all the necessary documents, and lead you until the end of the transaction.

Even though our company doesn’t offer services in obtaining Emirati citizenship, we can help you to apply for a Golden Visa if you purchase a property with a minimum cost of AED 2,000,000 (USD 545,000). Do not hesitate to contact us and start realizing your dreams here and now.