The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is globally recognized as a hub for opportunity, luxury, and stability. Its allure extends beyond its gleaming skyscrapers and tax-free economy to its highly coveted citizenship.
Emirati citizenship is one of the most exclusive in the world, offering unparalleled benefits, including visa-free travel to over 170 countries, access to a thriving economy, and a high standard of living.
With that said, unless you’re Emirati by birth, getting UAE citizenship isn’t a straightforward process at all. It’s reserved for those who meet strict requirements.
Let’s walk through the pathways, benefits, and challenges of acquiring UAE citizenship – including the UAE’s highly exclusive citizenship by exception (CBE) program.
Why is UAE Citizenship Desirable?
Becoming a UAE citizen isn’t merely about holding an elite passport; it’s about gaining access to a lifestyle and financial ecosystem that is unparalleled.
UAE citizenship provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 179 countries, including major destinations like the UK, Schengen Area nations, and China.
The country’s tax-free regime means no personal income, capital gains, or inheritance taxes, making it a fiscal paradise for high-net-worth individuals.
Additionally, the UAE offers quality healthcare, top-tier education, and a stable political system, creating a safe and high-quality environment for families.
It’s also worth noting that a thriving expat community in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in particular enrich the UAE as a multicultural nation, which makes it a desirable place to live and work as a foreigner.
Pathways to UAE Citizenship
Unlike many countries that offer citizenship through investment programs, the UAE takes a more selective approach. Here are the main pathways to citizenship:
Citizenship by Descent
Children born to an Emirati father automatically acquire citizenship, regardless of where they are born. In cases where the mother is Emirati and the father is stateless or unknown, the child may also be eligible.
Furthermore, descendants of long-term Arab settlers who lived in the UAE before 1925 may qualify.
Citizenship by Marriage
Foreign women married to Emirati men can apply for citizenship after seven years of marriage if they have children or ten years if they do not. The marriage must be legally recognized and ongoing during the application period.
The UAE passport is among the strongest passports out there, with 179 countries allowing the passport holder to enter visa-free or on-arrival.
However, foreign men married to Emirati women are not eligible for citizenship, reflecting the UAE’s patrilineal legal framework.
Naturalization
Naturalization is the most challenging route, requiring at least 30 years of continuous legal residency. Applicants must demonstrate fluency in Arabic, financial stability, and a clean legal record.
While this pathway does exist, its application is exceedingly rare and subject to government discretion even if you meet the criteria.
Exceptional Merit
The citizenship by exception pathway is reserved for those who contribute significantly to the UAE in fields like medicine, science, culture, or the economy.
Nomination of citizenship by UAE royals or officials is required, and candidates must meet rigorous criteria.
For instance, doctors and scientists must have at least ten years of work experience and recognized contributions in their fields.
UAE Golden Visa: A Path to Residency, Not Citizenship
The UAE Golden Visa offers long-term residency (5 or 10 years) to investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals.
While it doesn’t directly lead to citizenship, outstanding contributions by Golden Visa holders may sometimes result in a nomination for citizenship under exceptional merit.
Golden Visa Options
- Real Estate Investment: Invest AED 2 million or more in property.
- Public Investment Fund: Deposit AED 2 million into a UAE-based fund.
- Business Formation: Establish a UAE company generating at least AED 1 million annually.
The Golden Visa is an attractive option for those seeking to benefit from the UAE’s tax-free economy and high standard of living without pursuing citizenship.
Benefits of UAE Citizenship
Global Mobility
The UAE passport is one of the strongest in the world, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 179 countries.
Indeed, you aren’t allowed to be a dual national of the UAE unless you were made a citizen through exception. Yet the UAE’s passport is solid enough that you might not need another one!
Tax-Free Environment
No personal income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax makes the UAE a financial haven – that’s true for citizens in addition to the millions of foreigners living here.
The path to acquiring citizenship is not an easy one. For starter, all applicants must be nominated by government officials or members of the Royal Family.
High Standard of Living
Citizens enjoy access to world-class healthcare, education, employment, and social services that are financed by one of the wealthiest nations in the world.
It’s common for Emiratis to hold well-paid government jobs, and citizens are well-taken care of by the government’s vast resources.
Economic Stability
With a rapidly growing GDP and a thriving job market, the UAE offers unrivaled economic opportunities.
It’s very natural that, by being a citizen of the UAE, you’re able to benefit from the nation’s growth in the most effective way possible.
Expat-Friendly Community
A multicultural society makes it easier for foreigners to integrate and thrive. In particular, cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are two of the most multicultural cities in the Middle East.
Wide choices of international schools and English-language resources make it a convienent place for almost anyone to live – whether they’re already a UAE citizen or want to eventually become one.
Challenges and Limitations
While the benefits are immense, UAE citizenship comes with its challenges:
- Selective Process: The process is highly exclusive and not open to the general public.
- Dual Citizenship Restrictions: While dual citizenship is now permitted for certain categories, it is not universally available.
- Conditionality: Naturalized citizenship can be revoked, adding a layer of uncertainty.
UAE Citizenship Application Process
The UAE’s citizenship process isn’t a standard application but a nomination-based system. Here’s how it works:
- Eligibility Assessment: Ensure you meet the criteria for your chosen pathway to get UAE citizenship.
- Nomination: Candidates must be nominated by UAE officials or royals.
- Vetting: Federal authorities conduct a thorough review of the candidate’s background and contributions.
- Approval: Final approval is granted by senior Emirati leadership.
- Oath of Allegiance: Successful applicants must take an oath to uphold UAE laws and values.
In short: getting UAE citizenship, except through family ties, is a highly selective process.
While the pathways are limited and challenging, they reflect the exclusivity and prestige associated with Emirati citizenship.
For those who meet the criteria, it represents not just a passport but a gateway to unparalleled opportunities and stability.
If UAE citizenship feels out of reach, the Golden Visa provides a viable alternative for long-term residency. It gives most of the same benefits without the difficult of actual citizenship.
FAQs: How to Get UAE Citizenship
Why Would I Want a UAE Passport?
UAE citizenship is highly sought after due to the exclusive benefits it offers. The UAE passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 179 countries, including destinations like the UK, Schengen Area nations, and China.
On top of that, the UAE has no personal income tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax which makes it a financial haven for high-net-worth individuals. Citizens also enjoy access to top-tier healthcare and a stable political system.
Does the UAE Allow Citizenship by Investment?
Dual citizenship is not universally permitted in the UAE. However, exceptions are made for individuals who gain citizenship through the exceptional merit pathway.
For most other applicants, acquiring UAE citizenship requires renouncing their previous nationality.
Can You Obtained UAE Citizenship by Investment?
Unlike other countries, the UAE does not have a direct citizenship-by-investment program. However, the UAE Golden Visa offers long-term residency (5 or 10 years) to investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals.
Golden Visa holders who make outstanding contributions may sometimes be nominated for citizenship under the exceptional merit pathway.
How Challenging is the UAE Citizenship Application Process?
The UAE citizenship process is highly exclusive and operates on a nomination-based system. Candidates must meet strict criteria based on their chosen pathway, and final approval is granted by senior Emirati leadership.
Overall, the process includes eligibility assessments, nominations by UAE officials or royals, vetting by federal authorities, and an oath of allegiance. This selective nature reflects the exclusivity associated with Emirati citizenship.
