How to Get UAE Citizenship

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live at the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic economies? A modern city that captivates many with its stunning skyscrapers and countless job opportunities. Perhaps you’ve heard stories of individuals who, through hard work and ingenuity, have achieved great success in Dubai. But is acquiring UAE citizenship a possibility for everyone?

This article will help you understand the legal pathways and specific requirements for obtaining UAE citizenship. By reading this guide, you will gain a comprehensive and specialized perspective on the complex and exclusive process of acquiring citizenship in the UAE, and you will learn how to achieve this goal and benefit from its advantages.

What are the Main Pathways to UAE Citizenship?

There are four main pathways to obtaining UAE citizenship, each with its own specific conditions and regulations. These pathways are designed to attract individuals with diverse skills and capabilities and generally include the following:

1. Through Marriage

This path is intended for spouses of Emirati nationals but comes with significant limitations. According to the law, a foreign woman who marries an Emirati man can apply for citizenship. The requirements for this type of UAE citizenship acquisition are as follows:

• If there are children: If the couple has children, the woman becomes eligible after a minimum of seven years of marriage.
• If there are no children: If the couple does not have children, this period is extended to ten years.
• Additional conditions: In addition to the duration of the marriage, the foreign individual must hold a legal residency visa in the UAE, have a clean criminal record, and provide a health certificate.

It is important to note that this option is generally not available for foreign men who marry Emirati women, and they do not become eligible for citizenship through this route.

2. By Descent (Jus Sanguinis)

UAE nationality law is primarily based on the principle of “jus sanguinis” (right of blood), and unlike many countries, birth on UAE soil alone does not automatically grant citizenship. Citizenship by descent is possible under the following conditions:

• Children of an Emirati father: An individual born to an Emirati father, whether inside or outside the UAE, is automatically considered a UAE citizen.
• Children of an Emirati mother: An individual born to an Emirati mother and an unknown or stateless father will be eligible for citizenship. Also, children of an Emirati mother and a foreign father can apply for citizenship under certain conditions.
• Foundlings: Infants found in the UAE with unknown parents will be granted UAE citizenship.
• Long-established families: Arab families who settled in the UAE before 1925 and maintained their residency until the implementation of Federal Law No. 17 in 1972 are also eligible for citizenship.

3. Naturalization

This is one of the longest and most traditional routes to obtaining citizenship. Previously, it was mostly for Arabs residing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, but it is now accessible to other nationalities as well. The process for obtaining UAE citizenship through naturalization involves several key conditions:

• Long-term residency: The applicant must have a legal and continuous residency in the UAE for a minimum of 30 years.
• Proficiency in Arabic: Complete fluency in the Arabic language is an essential and mandatory condition.
• Financial conditions: The individual must have a legal source of income and financial stability.
• Behavioral record: Having no criminal record and maintaining a good reputation and conduct are other requirements.
• Academic qualification: Having an academic degree is also considered a condition.

4. Exceptional Merit

Introduced in 2021, this pathway is one of the most recent and significant changes to UAE nationality laws. It allows the UAE government to grant citizenship to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the country’s progress in various fields. This is an elite and highly selective process granted at the discretion of government officials. Eligible individuals fall into the following categories:

• Investors: To obtain UAE citizenship this way, investors must own property in the UAE and actively participate in the country’s economic sectors.
• Physicians and specialists: They must have expertise in a scientific field needed by the UAE and have at least 10 years of practical experience. Legitimate scientific contributions are also required.
• Scientists: They must be active researchers with at least 10 years of experience and have a letter of recommendation from a reputable scientific institution in the UAE.
• Inventors: They must have at least one patent approved by the UAE Ministry of Economy or a reputable international body.
• Creative talents and artists: They must be pioneers in the field of art and culture and have won at least one international award.

Nomination for this type of citizenship is done through the Rulers’ Courts, Executive Councils, and the Cabinet. Direct application by the individual is not possible.

General Conditions for Acquiring Citienship

Regardless of the chosen path, applicants must meet the following general conditions:

• Clean criminal record: Having no criminal history is mandatory.
• Legal residency in the UAE: The applicant must be legally residing in the country.
• Oath of allegiance: The individual must take an oath of allegiance to the United Arab Emirates.
• Adherence to UAE laws: A commitment to abide by all the country’s laws is essential.
• Notification of other nationalities: If any other nationality is acquired or lost, the relevant government body must be informed.
• Understanding of Arabic language and culture: Proficiency in the Arabic language and an understanding of Emirati culture are often key conditions.

What are the Benefits of UAE Citizenship?

The conditions for obtaining UAE citizenship are strict, but they come with countless benefits. The advantages of UAE citizenship can be summarized as follows:

• Free services: Emirati citizens benefit from free land, education, marriage services, and access to hospitals.
• Stable and tax-free economy: The UAE has a stable, growing, and personal income tax-free economy. To stay informed about the value of the country’s currency, you can check the daily rate of the UAE Dirham.
• High quality of life: The country has world-class healthcare and educational infrastructure.
• Civil rights: This includes the right to own property, access to social services, and the opportunity to vote or run for public office.
• Powerful passport: The Emirati passport is one of the most powerful in the world, allowing visa-free travel to over 170 countries.

What is Dual Citizeship?

In the past, dual citizenship was prohibited in the UAE. However, since 2021, with legal reforms, certain categories of foreigners who obtain UAE citizenship have been allowed to retain their original nationality. These individuals include investors, specialists (such as doctors and engineers), and exceptional talents (such as artists and scientists) and their families. However, native-born Emirati citizens are generally not allowed to hold dual citizenship.

What is the UAE Golden Visa?

The Golden Visa is a long-term residency visa (5 or 10 years) that allows eligible individuals such as investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, and skilled professionals to live, work, and study in the UAE. The key point is that the Golden Visa is not a direct path to citizenship. However, the outstanding contributions of Golden Visa holders may lead to their nomination for citizenship under the “Exceptional Merit” category.

The most popular options for obtaining a Golden Visa are through real estate investment:

• 10-year visa: By investing a minimum of 2 million AED in property.
• 2-year visa: By investing a minimum of 750,000 AED.

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The Citizenship Application Process

Obtaining permanent residency in the UAE and, ultimately, citizenship is a very precise and multi-stage process that is by no means a direct application process. Unlike many countries where you can personally fill out citizenship forms, in the UAE, you must be nominated by a government official or body. This complex process includes the following steps:

Self-Assessment

Before any action, the applicant must personally ensure that they fully meet all the necessary conditions for the relevant category (such as investor, scientist, doctor, etc.). This stage involves a careful review of academic qualifications, professional history, investment value, and other specified criteria.

Nomination by Authorities

This stage is the most critical step in the entire process. The citizenship application must be nominated by a competent government body such as the Ruler’s Court, the Crown Prince’s Office, the Cabinet, or a local Executive Council. No individual can apply for citizenship independently. Nomination is usually based on the individual’s outstanding contribution to the country’s economy, culture, or science.

Review and Pre-approval

After nomination, the application is reviewed by a central advisory committee and specialized sub-committees. These committees are responsible for filtering and initially approving candidates’ eligibility based on the criteria and documentation provided. The goal of this stage is to ensure the accuracy of the information and the applicant’s full compliance with legal requirements.

Final Approval

The final decision on granting citizenship is made by high-level bodies in the UAE. These bodies include the councils, the Rulers’ Courts, and the Cabinet. It must be emphasized that even if an applicant has met all the criteria, final approval is not guaranteed and is entirely at the discretion of these authorities.

Oath of Allegiance

Upon final approval, the applicant is required to take an official oath of allegiance to the government and the constitution of the United Arab Emirates. This oath signifies the individual’s commitment to abiding by the laws and preserving national security.

Receiving Passport and National ID

After the successful completion of all stages, including taking the oath, an Emirati passport and other national identification documents are issued to the applicant and their family members.

How is UAE Citizenship Revoked?

How does one become a UAE citizen? We have answered this question above, but it is important to know that this highly valuable and prestigious status can be revoked under specific conditions. UAE laws regarding the maintenance of nationality are strict, especially for citizens who have obtained it through naturalization. The reasons for revocation of citizenship are divided into two categories:

For Citizens by Naturalization

• Activity against national security: Committing or attempting to commit any act that endangers the security of the state or the political system of the UAE can lead to immediate revocation of citizenship.
• Repeated convictions: In case of repeated convictions for crimes of dishonor and public morality.
• Fraud and deception: Using forgery, fraud, or deception in the process of acquiring nationality. If it is revealed that the individual obtained citizenship by providing false information, this status will be revoked.
• Long-term residency abroad: Residing outside the UAE for more than four consecutive years without a valid reason can lead to the revocation of citizenship.

For Citizens by Descent

• Serving in a foreign army: Serving in the army of a foreign country without permission from the UAE government. This action is considered a threat to the individual’s loyalty to the country.
• Acting in favor of an enemy country: Any activity or cooperation with an enemy country during wartime that harms the national interests of the UAE will lead to the revocation of citizenship.

Conclusion

Acquiring citizenship in the UAE is a challenging and very exclusive process designed to protect the Emirati national identity. However, recent reforms have opened new doors to global talents, specialists, and investors who can contribute to the country’s progress. For most immigrants, the Golden Visa is a more accessible option for long-term residency, allowing them to enjoy many of the benefits of life in the UAE, even without obtaining full citizenship. For advice on how to get UAE citizenship and consultation on various real estate investments, contact our experts at intrealestates to guide you in the best way to get Dubai citizenship and other residency methods.