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In recent years, the UAE government has been actively working to attract foreign talented professionals and investors by offering simplified conditions for obtaining residency and citizenship. This is part of a strategy to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil revenues.
UAE citizenship is a constitutional and legal connection between the state and its resident, belonging to the country with corresponding rights and obligations.
The absence of crime, high quality healthcare and flexible tax system attract foreigners dreaming of moving to the United Arab Emirates. According to World Bank estimates, by early 2024, the UAE population exceeded 10 million people, of whom 87.9% are immigrants.
The main advantages of obtaining citizenship in Dubai are:
In general, the requirements for obtaining citizenship in the UAE are similar to those in other countries, but there is no simplified system. Available options are contained in the Citizenship and Passports Law.
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Two years ago, options related to outstanding achievements and investments in the national economy were added to the document. Foreigners who obtain citizenship through investments do not need to renounce their second passport.
Citizenship in Dubai can be obtained through investments. While previously most investors lived and worked in the UAE for years to obtain a residence visa, since 2021 they can apply for a passport that will automatically make them full citizens of the country.
The law does not establish specific criteria that investors must meet. It vaguely describes them as a significant contribution to the economy. In this case, the benchmark is the following amount required to obtain a residence visa:
A year ago, the government decided to reduce these amounts, allowing property purchases through mortgages or loans. However, this law has not yet come into force.
It is also not specified when one can begin processing citizenship documents — after completing the investment deal or upon expiration of the investor's resident visa.
One of the conditions for obtaining UAE citizenship is collecting necessary documents confirming income level. Currently, passports are issued to investors who previously resided in the country and invested about $3,000,000 in real estate or business.
The main goal of this innovation is to attract more professional migrants from various fields such as science, art, medicine, and construction.
There are specific requirements for each field:
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One of the most reliable and proven ways to obtain citizenship in Dubai is naturalisation. The main rule when submitting documents is to have lived in the United Arab Emirates for more than 30 years.
Other requirements for candidates who want to obtain citizenship in Dubai include:
In the case of marriage, according to law, only women can obtain citizenship. However, the wife must first obtain a temporary 10-year visa.
After 7 years, couples with children born during this period can also apply for citizenship. But there is no guarantee that the response will be positive. Sometimes, even after waiting for several years, applications are rejected.
Children of citizens obtain citizenship regardless of their place of birth. The following conditions apply:
If you need to obtain citizenship in Dubai, you must prepare the appropriate documents. Furthermore, there are unified rules for all applicants. These include:
Let's look at the main stages you need to go through after collecting all the necessary documents and submitting them for consideration.
Stage 1. A special organisation, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, appoints various committees to individually review your application.
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Stage 2. Based on the results of document review, you may be included in the list of candidates for obtaining a United Arab Emirates passport. In some cases, the commission may appoint additional verification. If the evidence presented is insufficient, you will not pass the selection.
Stage 3. After your candidacy receives preliminary approval, the case is transferred to another committee, where each member is a representative of their emirate.
Stage 4. Once you reach this stage, you will be recognised as a UAE citizen. You will only need to complete several important formalities, such as taking the oath and confirming that you agree to comply with all laws of the country.
Citizens of the United Arab Emirates may voluntarily renounce their citizenship.
Additionally, the state may revoke citizenship if its subject joins the armed forces of another country without the UAE government’s permission or otherwise endangers the state.
People who obtained citizenship through naturalisation may be deprived of citizenship for the following reasons:
For citizens of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus who undergo the naturalisation procedure in the UAE, renunciation of their current passport is a mandatory condition. Dual citizenship in this case may become grounds for denaturalisation.
Recent amendments to UAE legislation provide exemption from this requirement for certain categories of applicants and their family members. Citizens applying for a UAE passport in case of property purchase may retain their existing citizenship.
Due to high naturalisation requirements, it is easier for citizens of Russia, Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus to live in the UAE as residents, extending their visa as needed. The main ways to obtain residency in the United Arab Emirates are:
Foreigners studying at an accredited university or school in the UAE are eligible for a one-year student visa with the possibility of extension.
Applicants must present an official acceptance letter, undergo medical examination at a UAE government centre and confirm the presence of a sponsor (parents, other relatives or an educational institution).
To relocate to Dubai, foreigners working remotely can obtain a 12-month residence visa in the UAE. Under the remote work programme conditions, a residence visa is issued based on an employment contract valid for at least one year and a minimum monthly income of approximately 5,000 US dollars.
Companies registered in the UAE must possess a business licence and the right to employ foreigners. Entry permits are issued at the request of the sponsoring company and are valid for two months. After arriving in the UAE, the individual must apply for a residence visa, which will be valid for two years.
Foreign citizens can obtain residency by establishing their own enterprise, purchasing property, or choosing another form of economic investment provided for by UAE legislation. The purchase amount determines the duration of residence visa for which an investor can apply.
When employed by a local company, housing, medical insurance, and round trip travel are usually covered. Working conditions and remuneration are determined on an individual basis. The visa can be easily extended if the foreigner has a good income, a recommendation from the employer and does not violate laws.
If an immigrant wishes to remain in the country, it makes sense to obtain citizenship in the United Arab Emirates to avoid paying for visa extensions and to ensure their children have the right to obtain a UAE passport in the future. However, local legislation carefully protects national values, and not everyone can call themselves an Emirati.
You can live in Dubai if you have a long-term visa or other right of residence. About 90% of the United Arab Emirates population consists of foreigners without local citizenship who live there by extending their residence visas.
The country's legislation does not allow citizens to have more than one citizenship. Exceptions are cases where citizenship can be obtained through investment or due to special achievements. Foreigners who obtained UAE citizenship through naturalisation or marriage must renounce their first citizenship.
If a foreigner wants to acquire citizenship of the United Arab Emirates through naturalisation, they must live in the country for at least 30 years. The only exception are citizens of Arab origin, who have the right to apply for citizenship after 3 or 7 years.
Until recently, obtaining citizenship in Dubai was considered impossible. However, recent changes and relaxations in legislation have made this accessible for certain categories of residents. Although the procedure is far from simple, becoming a citizen of a country with modern technologies and a strong economy is more achievable today than ever before.
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