UAE citizenship law 2022

UAE, just as most of us know, is one of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the middle-east which comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The UAE is marked with a thriving economy over the years and also a massive hub for economic activities and tourism. With hundreds of nationalities represented in all the emirates both as residents and tourists there’s no doubt that the UAE is a special multinational country where various nations call home. 

To help diversify the economy of the UAE and promote cultural assimilation among nationalities, the UAE has decided to offer citizenship status to some highly skilled expats from around the world in the UAE with distinguished talents and outstanding outcomes. 

Emirabiz business setup consultants can help you to understand whether you qualify for citizenship or you can obtain a UAE residence visa for a long time. 

Following that, on 30th January 2021, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE and the ruler of Dubai made the announcement on his official Twitter page with regards to offering citizenship status to expats in the UAE. He said that there’s been some amendments to the federal law to accept some foreign expats in the Emiratis community while still retaining their original citizenship status.

Benefits of UAE citizenship

Having the UAE passport or rather being a citizen of the UAE comes with a lot of benefits which also includes 

• Rights to own and register assets without restrictions
• Visa-free privilege to 167 countries with the UAE passport
• Free land ownership 
• Free education
• Free healthcare 

Who is eligible for UAE citizenship?

So it’s an exciting thing to join the team of the Emiratis if you meet the criteria. So next, we will look at the categories of highly talented foreigners who may be invited to apply for the UAE citizenship. 

Following are the specified categories of talents, investors and professionals who stand the chance of acquiring the citizenship with their family members:

• Inventors 
• Medical doctors 
• Specialists 
• Scientists 
• Creative talents
• Artists
• Intellectuals
• Engineers 
• Authors 

All the people who fall under the categories above will be granted citizenship with their immediate family members if they get to meet up with the requirements.

Requirements to get UAE citizenship 

The recent amendments were made to allow the high end talents to acquire the UAE citizenship while still allowing them to retain their original citizenship status. So it’s interesting to learn that this new development allows dual citizenship to the specialized professionals who have immensely aided the country in its developmental journey. 

Next, we are going to learn the special recommendations for each of the speculated talents who may acquire the UAE citizenship.

Inventors

Individuals under this category are required to have one or more inventions in the UAE that have been approved by the relevant authority in this regard.

Creative talents

This includes intellectuals and artists who are outstanding pioneers in the relevant fields and should have won one or more international awards. An approval letter from the relevant government authority is required.

Scientists

These are active researchers in universities, schools or any approved research center in the UAE. They should have a verified practical experience of 10 years or more. 

Their research activities should have made a big contribution in the relevant field of science e.g.:

• Having received distinguished scientific awards or
• Receiving significant funds for their research achievements for the past 10 years

It’s obligatory to obtain a letter or recommendation from the relevant authority in charge of the specialty in the UAE. 

Doctors

The individuals should be specialized in a scientific/medical field in the UAE. The individuals also need to have contributed immensely in the scientific studies and research with notable outcomes much valuable in the scientific field. 

Applicants must have had upto 10 years of practical scientific experience having a membership status with a specialized organization or group in the relevant field.

Investors 

The individual must acquire a certain worth of property in the UAE to qualify for citizenship.

So, individuals under the categories above who also meet up with the criteria will acquire the UAE citizenship status which is usually carried out through the Ruler’s Court, the Cabinet and Executive Councils upon the federal nominations.

Additional conditions for UAE citizenship

Prior to finally obtaining the citizenship status of the UAE, there are few other conditions to meet aside from the specified ones above.

Here they are:

• Pledge to abide by the laws of the UAE
• Take an oath of loyalty and allegiance to the UAE
• Notify the UAE government authority upon acquiring or losing the citizenship status