How to Get UAE Citizenship

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.

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:

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 Moreover, it can be withdrawn upon breach of the conditions.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:

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:

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:

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:

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).

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.

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.