The United Arab Emirates has announced landmark changes to the citizenship law. For the first time in history, dual citizenship will be legalized for foreigners who become Emirati nationals and Citizenship will be granted to foreigners for investments.
The UAE Government has adopted law amendments that allow granting the UAE citizenship to investors, specialized talents & professionals including scientists, doctors, engineers, artists, authors and their families. The new directives aim to attract talents that contribute to our development journey.
With the law adopted, UAE will join list of countries, that operate citizenship by investment programs.
The amendments specified the conditions that must be met in each category such as: Investors are required to own a property in the UAE.
The law allows receivers of the UAE passport to keep their existing citizenship.
– HH Sheik Mohammed
The United Arab Emirates also has a golden visa program that offers permanent residency for many categories of investments.
This was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed to boost the attractiveness of the country.
Acquiring the Emirati citizenship will be done through nominations from Rulers and Crown Princes Courts, Executive Councils, and the Cabinet based on federal entities nominations.
Conditions for granting citizenship Under the directive of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Cabinet chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, approved the amendments of the Executive Regulation of the Federal Law concerning Nationality and Passports.
Before acquiring the citizenship, other requirements include swearing the oath of allegiance, committing to abide by the Emirati laws and officially informing the respective government agency in case of acquiring or losing any other citizenship are mandated.
The UAE citizenship offers a wide range of benefits includes the right to establish or own commercial entities and properties, in addition to any other benefits granted by federal authorities after the approval of the Cabinet or local authorities.
The UAE citizenship can be withdrawn upon breach of the conditions.
The Emirati passport is one of the powerful and highly respected travel documents in the world with visa free access to over 170+ countries and territories including Canada, Russia, China, UK, EU schengen area etc.. Prior to the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, each constituting emirate issued its own passports or travel documents.
