UAE citizenship: how to get a passport in 2024

How to Get UAE Citizenship

Despite the fact that foreigners make up more than 80 percent of the UAE’s population, it is very difficult for a foreigner to obtain citizenship in Dubai. The most common citizenship options are either to marry a UAE citizen or be an outstanding professional in one of the key industries. Recently, another option has become available. However, the citizenship by investment programme is still quite new and not much is known about it yet.

UAE Citizenship by Investment

In 2021, the UAE government announced that investors, who own real estate in the country, will be able to obtain UAE citizenship. However, the details of this programme — the minimum investment threshold or real estate requirements — have not been publicly announced yet.

The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has a separate UAE citizenship programme for investment. It is granted to a foreigner for buying a property, making a non-refundable contribution to the state, or investing a large amount in a business in the emirate.

After obtaining a passport of a UAE citizen, the property can be sold.

The investor’s spouse and their children under 25 years of age receive citizenship as well.

UAE real estate 881 listings on Tranio

From $158,000

The Community — investment apartments by Aqua Properties with 9,5% yield per annum in the center of the developing area of Motor City, Dubai

Yield 9.0% Completion in: 2025.IV

From $762,000

High-rise residential complex with designer finishes by Swiss brand Franck Muller, Dubai Marina, Dubai, UAE

Completion in: 2027.II Total of 649 apartments

From $8,727,000

New residence Armani Beach Residences with a private beach and swimming pools, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE

Completion in: 2026.IV Total of 53 apartments

From $2,728,000

New residence Eywa with swimming pools, lounge areas and waterfalls on the bank of the canal, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE

Completion in: 2026.II Total of 48 apartments

From $265,000

New luxury Cello Residence with swimming pools close to highways, in the prestigious area of JVC, Dubai, UAE

Completion in: 2027.I Total of 387 apartments

From $655,000

New high-rise residence 25h Heimat with swimming pools and a mini golf course near Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, UAE

Completion in: 2027.I Total of 338 apartments

From $542,000

High-rise residence Me Do Re with swimming pools and a spa area in JLT, Dubai, UAE

Built in 2023 Total of 470 apartments

From $300,000

Luma 22 — new residence by TownX with swimming pools and an underground parking in JVC, Dubai

Completion in: 2024.III Total of 400 apartments

UAE Citizenship by Exceptional Merit

In January 2021, the UAE government approved amendments to the citizenship law, allowing certain categories of foreigners, as well as their spouses and children to obtain citizenship in the Emirates. These amendments have a list of conditions for each category and allow a new citizen to retain their original citizenship.

The following categories of foreigners may be eligible for the UAE citizenship by exceptional merit programme:

• Doctors, who specialise in a field that is in high demand in the UAE. They must have made a recognised contribution to science and have at least 10 years of practical experience.
• Scientists with at least 10 years of experience in the chosen scientific field and who have achieved recognised scientific success.
• Inventors, who hold one or more patents approved by the UAE Ministry of Economy or any other reputable international organisation.
• Intellectuals and creative people, who have become pioneers in the field of art or culture and have received at least one international award.

UAE Citizenship by Marriage

Foreign women can obtain UAE citizenship after 7 years of marriage to an Emirati citizen if the couple has a child; or after 10 years of marriage if there are no children.

UAE Citizenship by Naturalisation

Foreigners can acquire UAE citizenship by naturalisation if they fall into one of the following categories:

• a foreigner who knows Arabic and has legally resided in the UAE for at least 30 years;
• a foreigner of Arab origin from Bahrain, Oman or Qatar who has legally resided in the UAE for at least 3 years;
• a foreigner of Arab origin who has legally resided in the UAE for at least 7 years.

In all cases, the applicant must be fluent in Arabic, have a legitimate source of income, and have no criminal record.

UAE Citizenship by Birth

The child automatically receives a passport of a UAE citizen by origin under the following conditions:

• if the child’s father is a UAE citizen;
• If the child’s mother is a UAE citizen, and the father is unknown or stateless;
• If the child was born in the UAE from unknown parents.

If the child’s mother is a citizen of the Emirates, and the father is a foreigner, the child can receive a passport of the United Arab Emirates upon reaching 6 years of age.

The mere fact of being born in the UAE does not give the child grounds for obtaining citizenship.

UAE Citizenship for Residents of Arab Countries

Citizens of Qatar, Oman and Bahrain have an advantage over other foreigners when it comes to obtaining UAE citizenship. They can apply for UAE citizenship after 3 years of residence in the country.

Loss of UAE Citizenship

UAE citizens can voluntarily renounce citizenship.

Also, the state can revoke citizenship if a UAE citizen has entered the military service in another state without the UAE government’s permission or if a citizen endangers the country in any other way.

Those who acquired citizenship through naturalisation may lose their citizenship in the following cases:

• if they live outside of the UAE for more than 4 years in a row;
• if they have repeatedly violated the laws of the UAE;
• if citizenship was obtained by fraud or falsification of documents.

UAE Passport Ranking

The UAE passport is ranked 15th in the world’s most powerful passports by Henley & Partners. It allows visa-free entry to 175 countries of the world. For comparison, the world’s most powerful passport is the Japanese one, which allows visa-free travel to 193 countries.

With a UAE passport, you can freely visit the Schengen countries, the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and many others.

UAE Citizenship Benefits

• Low taxes: no tax on income, dividends, housing, gifts and inheritance.
• Free education and high quality healthcare.
• Ability to enter 175 countries on a visa-free basis.
• Exemption from payment of utility costs (citizens pay only if the consumption exceeds an established limit).
• Opportunity to receive a plot of land for free as a gift from the state.
• Ability to buy property throughout the UAE not limited to a freehold zone.

Given all the benefits that UAE citizenship provides, it is only natural that a new citizen has obligations to the state. Thus, UAE citizens are required to comply with Sharia law and show respect for the ruling families. It is strictly prohibited to criticise the authorities’ policies, including on social networks.

Due to the complexity of obtaining citizenship and the obligations that it imposes, most expats from Western countries prefer to live in Dubai on a residence visa for many years, which is easier for people of a different mentality and creates fewer legal restrictions.

UAE Dual Citizenship

The United Arab Emirates allowed dual citizenship in 2021.

Author: Anastasia Nikitina