Are you interested in becoming a citizen of the UAE? The UAE (United Arab Emirates) offers highly selective paths to citizenship through descent, marriage, naturalization, and nomination for exceptional talent.
Key benefits of obtaining UAE citizenship include visa-free travel to numerous countries, access to a thriving tax-free economy, and the right to live and work in a highly stable country with excellent education and healthcare.
In this guide you will learn about:
What is UAE citizenship?
UAE citizenship, also referred to as Dubai citizenship and Emirati citizenship, is a legal status granted to those who meet the UAE citizenship requirements set out by the government, allowing them to become official citizens of the UAE (United Arab Emirates).
There are a variety of benefits of holding UAE nationality, including property ownership rights, business investment opportunities, UAE social benefits, and the range of tax benefits of UAE citizenship, to name a few.
Top 6 Benefits of UAE Citizenship
There are many UAE citizenship benefits that make it highly sought after. Let’s take a look:
1. Stable economy
The economy of the UAE is incredibly stable and is growing astronomically year on year. The UAE’s GDP has grown from $349 billion in 2020 to $514 billion in 2023.
2. Job opportunities
Popular cities in the UAE like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Al Ain have various job opportunities and attract people from all over the world.
UAE citizens often receive favorable treatment in the job market, potentially securing jobs with better salary packages compared to some expatriates. Notably, this advantage might be less pronounced for those with a well-established family history in the Emirates.
Overall, the UAE offers high salaries and has an excellent standard of living for expats and those who become UAE citizens.
3. High quality of life
The UAE has world-class education and healthcare infrastructure, making it an ideal expat destination. Foreign citizens have access to fantastic private healthcare in UAE as well as various options for education, including highly sought after international schools.
4. UAE citizenship rights
If you become a UAE citizen, you are eligible for the same rights as any other UAE citizen. This includes rights such as ownership rights, access to social services including education in UAE and healthcare, and the opportunity to vote or run for public office.
However, to maintain these rights you are also held responsible for your actions just like every other UAE citizen. This means you are responsible for contributing to the welfare of the UAE, serving in the national military (if applicable), and upholding all the laws of the UAE.
5. Thriving expat community
The UAE has a growing expat community, making moving to the UAE a lot easier for those from foreign countries.
6. Strong passport
The UAE passport is among the strongest passports in the world for investment opportunities. For UAE passport holders, this offers a world of opportunity for potential investors.
UAE passport benefits include visa-free travel over 170 countries and territories. UAE passport visa free countries allow you to travel to some of the most popular destinations, such as Germany, Denmark, Brazil, Spain, Portugal and most of the Caribbean.
How to Get UAE Citizenship
In 2021, the UAE introduced a new addition to the Executive Regulation of the Federal Law concerning Nationality and Passports. This was done to help advance the country’s economy. This section will take you through the various United Arab Emirates visa options, categories and citizenship eligibility criteria of how to become a citizen in Dubai and UAE that have been added to allow more individuals to apply for citizenship in the UAE.
UAE citizenship by marriage
You can acquire UAE citizenship by marriage, requirements include:
- Firstly, the UAE national must obtain the court’s permission to marry a foreign national.
- The foreign national should already have a UAE residence visa, clean bill of health, and a clear criminal record.
- A male foreign national cannot obtain citizenship through marriage to an Emirati woman.
- A female foreign national marrying an Emirati man can only receive citizenship if they have been married for seven years and have a child together. The time requirement increases to ten years if there is no child.
Important to note: Citizenship through marriage requires an Emirati spouse to sponsor the application. Dependents and children of Emirati citizens may also qualify.
UAE citizenship by descent
You can obtain UAE citizenship by descent if you meet one of the following criteria:
- Have an Emirati father abroad or in the UAE.
- Have an Emirati mother in the UAE or abroad, with a stateless father or without a legally established fatherhood.
- Are a descendent from a family of long term Arab settlers from within the UAE. This generally means your family are Arabs that had settled within the UAE before 1925 until at least 1972.
- Have unknown parents within the country, meaning the orphan doesn’t have any ties and must be granted citizenship to avoid becoming stateless.
It’s important to note that simply being born in the UAE does not grant a child citizenship. It is only under the above circumstances that citizenship is possible.
UAE citizenship by naturalization
Obtaining UAE citizenship through the naturalization process is another option. Although, it is not a very sought after option as it can take upwards of 30 years of residency and has a variety of UAE citizenship requirements and conditions.
Previously, UAE citizenship by naturalization could only be granted to ethnic Arab setters. However, the changes in regulations in 2021 have now made it possible for all ethnicities to apply. But there are still strict qualifications, including:
- Having no criminal record
- Being fluent in Arabic
- Having an academic qualification
- Be of good moral character
- Have a legal source of income
- Being a resident of the UAE for 30 years or more
UAE citizenship by exceptional merit
Applicants who fall under the following criteria can be nominated for UAE citizenship by UAE royals or officials. Your candidacy must be approved by the Cabinet. Here are the categories for exceptional merit in the UAE.
- Doctors: You must have a minimum of ten years of experience, hold membership of a reputable organization in your field and must have made a recognized scientific contribution to your field.
- Inventors: You must have at least one patent approved by the UAE Ministry of Economy or another reputable international organization.
- Scientists: You must have a minimum of ten years of experience in your field and must have at least one prestigious international award or a research grant in your field.
- Creative talents deemed innovators in their field: You must have a recommendation from a relevant authority in your field, a resume of previous works, and documentation of awards.
- Investors: Those who have made a significant financial investment within the UAE. The UAE government does not offer this regularly and it is only for investors who make a significant impact on the UAE economy. Simply purchasing a business will not guarantee UAE citizenship by investment, there are strict regulations.
It’s important to note that obtaining any of the above pathways to citizenship in the UAE can be extremely challenging. The UAE government has strict regulations and a person seeking citizenship may be denied even if they meet the above requirements. However, there is another option for those seeking residency in the UAE, let’s take a look.
UAE Golden Visa
A UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency visa program offered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government that allows eligible individuals to live, work and study in the UAE for five to ten years.
The Golden Visa UAE aims to attract foreign investments and skilled workers to boost the UAE’s position as a global hub for international business and investments
The most popular options are for investors who can get a UAE Golden Visa through UAE real estate investment or business investments, here are some of the requirements:
- Real estate investors can apply for a ten-year Golden Visa if they invest a minimum of AED 2,000,000 in real estate
- The property may be off-plan or fully constructed
- Obtaining a loan from an accredited UAE bank is allowed
- Business investors can apply for a ten-year Golden Visa by investing a minimum of AED 2,000,000 in a business
- The business can be an existing company in the UAE or a new company that you, the investor, establish
Individuals who qualify after meeting all the guidelines and processes are eligible to apply for Emirati residency. Once approved, the primary applicant can also include their spouse and children in the United Arab Emirates residency application.
Who can apply for the UAE golden visa?
There are a range of options under the UAE Golden Visa, offering many individuals a chance to obtain UAE residency. This includes:
- Entrepreneurs: Founders of start-up companies registered as SMEs in the UAE with annual revenues of at least AED 1 million (approximately $270,000), or those who have sold their entrepreneurial project for over AED 7 million (approximately $1.9 million).
- Highly skilled workers: Highly skilled individuals from a range of fields can apply, however, those in business, law, medicine, and IT are highly sought after.
- Investors: Real estate investors who purchase a property worth at least AED 2 million (approximately $545,000) or make significant public investments in investment funds or UAE companies or a bank deposit.
- Scientists and professionals: Individuals with specialized degrees or experience in fields such as medicine, engineering, science, research, and technology.
- Exceptional talents: Inventors, innovators, and talents in vital fields such as culture, art, sports, and digital technology, regardless of their educational qualification, employment status, monthly salary or professional level.
- Outstanding students and graduates: Top students and graduates from UAE universities and those with a GPA of at least 3.8 out of 4.0 or equivalent.
- Humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes: Individuals who have made significant humanitarian contributions or served on the frontlines during an emergency.
It’s important to note, there is no direct pathway to UAE citizenship status under the program. Naturalization may be possible, but it can take 30 years or more and is not guaranteed.
Speaking with an immigration specialist about which of the UAE residency or citizenship options best suit your needs can make things a lot easier. Not only can they help you find the best immigration option but also assist in the legalities of the applications which can be exceptionally difficult within the UAE.
Read our UAE Golden Visa Guide
UAE Citizenship Eligibility
There are some specific Emirati citizenship application criteria to note before applying for citizenship, applicants must:
- Have a clean criminal record
- Legally reside in the UAE
- Take an oath of allegiance to the Emirates
- Show an understanding of Arabic language and culture
- Possibly give up their original nationality
Important to note: While dual citizenship in the UAE was once not permitted, since 2021, certain individuals may obtain dual citizenship in the UAE, including:
- Investors
- Professionals (such as doctors and engineers)
- Special talents (including artists and scientists)
Their families can also retain their original citizenship while acquiring Emirati nationality. However, this only applies to foreign nationals who obtain UAE citizenship, dual citizenship is not permitted for Emirati born citizens.
United Arab Emirates Citizenship Application Process
 | Step one: Eligibility assessment: Before applying, individuals must meet the criteria set for specific categories, including investors, skilled professionals, scientists, inventors, intellectuals, and creatives. Each category has its own requirements, such as investment thresholds, academic qualifications, or contributions to the UAE. |
 | Step two: UAE authorities’ nomination: One of the main barriers to UAE citizenship is that you essentially need to be nominated by UAE government bodies, ministries, or local government bodies. |
 | Step three: Reviewing your application and pre-approval: The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship appoints a central advisory committee and sub-committees to review each candidate independently. The sub-committees are responsible for reviewing all data submitted and filtering applicants who meet the eligibility conditions to qualify for citizenship. |
 | Step four: Approval of your application: Once your citizenship application is verified and approved, it is passed on to the advisory committee consisting of one representative from each Emirate for the final statement. Even if you meet all the eligibility criteria, you might be denied UAE citizenship on certain conditions. The final decision in these cases lies with the Executive Council, the Rulers, the Crown Princes' Courts, and the Cabinet. |
 | Step five: Oath of allegiance: If you are approved for citizenship, you must take an oath of allegiance to the UAE and commit to upholding its laws and values. |
 | Step six: Getting a UAE passport and Emirati ID: Once completed, you can then receive a UAE passport and other relevant national identification documents. |
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
Frequently Asked Questions about UAE Citizenship
How to get UAE citizenship?
There are four pathways to obtain UAE citizenship, including, by descent, marriage, naturalization, and exceptional merit. Naturalization is the longest, with 30 years of living in the UAE required to qualify.
Can Pakistani citizens get a UAE Golden Visa?
Yes, Pakistani citizens can obtain a UAE Golden Visa through investment in real estate. The UAE Golden Visa for Pakistani Citizens has specific criteria and requires due diligence from the applicant to ensure they meet the specific requirements.
Can I buy UAE citizenship?
No, directly buying citizenship in the UAE is not possible. However, you can choose to invest in the UAE by purchasing property, which offers a residency permit. Investors may be offered citizenship if their contribution to the UAE economy is significant, but this is not regularly given.
How to get citizenship of Dubai?
Foreigners can obtain Dubai citizenship through descent, marriage, naturalization, or exceptional merit. However, It is important to emphasize that obtaining Emirati citizenship is not a straightforward process and requires special approval from the UAE authorities.
Can you get Dubai citizenship by investment?
No, there is no direct citizenship by investment program in the UAE. You can obtain a residency permit if you invest in the country through the Golden Visa program. Citizenship is possible through significant economic contribution and if investors meet the strict criteria but this is not the norm and is generally not recognized as a pathway to citizenship.
How long does it take to get UAE citizenship?
It depends on the type of citizenship. Citizenship by marriage requires you to be married to a UAE national for at least seven years. While an option like naturalization can take upwards of 30 years.
Can you gain UAE citizenship by birth if born in Dubai?
No, being born in the UAE does not grant citizenship. There are various criteria to be met for citizenship by descent, including having an Arab father or an Arab mother without a legally established father, having a long line of Arab descendants, or being an orphan whereby the nationality of both parents is unknown.
What are the requirements for UAE citizenship?
The basic requirements to get UAE citizenship include having a clean criminal record, residing in the UAE, taking an oath of allegiance, and having an understanding of the language and culture of the UAE.
Does UAE allow dual citizenship?
UAE dual citizenship was previously banned but was permitted following amendments to the Emirati Nationality Law in 2021. This change allows certain categories of individuals to hold dual nationality, including investors, professionals, and their families. However, based on the UAE’s citizenship law, Emirati born citizens themselves are not permitted to hold dual citizenship.
Can foreigners apply for UAE citizenship?
Yes, UAE citizenship for foreigners is possible. One option is through naturalization after living in the country for 30 years. Foreigners with a residence permit can also marry an Emirati national and apply for citizenship. Additionally, the government may grant citizenship based on exceptional merit.
Does UAE give citizenship?
Emirati citizenship can only be granted through nominations made by federal entities and processed via the Rulers’ and Crown Princes’ Courts, the Offices of the Executive Councils, or the Cabinet. For more details, you can contact the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security.
What Are the Benefits of UAE Citizenship?
Benefits of UAE and Dubai citizenship include access to:
- UAE citizenship rights
- A stable economy
- Various job opportunities
- A high quality of life
- Thriving expat community
- A strong passport
