Nationality of United Arab Emirates: all obtaining pathways
The United Arab Emirates keeps one of the world's most restrictive naturalizations — thirty years of residence in the ordinary case, seven for Arab nationals — together with the citizenship-by-exceptional-merits program created in 2021 for elite international scientific, medical, cultural and business profiles.
1Naturalization by residence (extremely restrictive and rare)
Naturalization by residence (extremely restrictive and rare)
Requirements
- Continuous legal residence in the UAE for at least 30 years (reduced to 7 years for Arab citizens of neighbouring countries)
- Knowledge of Arabic
- Legitimate income and means of subsistence
- Good conduct and no criminal record
- Renouncing the previous citizenship
- Discretionary approval by the federal government (very rarely granted)
Documentation
- Foreign passport with a UAE residence visa
- Criminal record certificate
- Arabic-knowledge certificate
- Proof of income and employment
- Declaration of renunciation of the previous citizenship
- Formal application to the Ministry of the Interior
2By descent (ius sanguinis)
By descent (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- The child of an Emirati father obtains citizenship automatically
- Child of an Emirati mother and a foreign father: the mother can apply for citizenship for the child (a long, discretionary process)
- The UAE do not allow dual citizenship (with limited exceptions)
Documentation
- Birth certificate
- Emirati father's identity card (Khulasat Al Qaid)
- Emirati father's passport
3Citizenship by exceptional merits (the 2021 program)
Citizenship by exceptional merits (the 2021 program)
Requirements
- Researchers, scientists and professionals with exceptional achievements
- High-level investors and business owners
- Doctors, specialists and distinguished intellectuals
- Relatives (spouse and children) can be included
- Nomination by federal or local entities, with Cabinet approval
Documentation
- Curriculum vitae of exceptional achievements
- International awards and recognitions
- Patents or scientific publications
- Employment contracts or investment in the UAE
- Application nominated by a governmental entity
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of United Arab Emirates
How many years of residence does United Arab Emirates require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of United Arab Emirates (Naturalization by residence (extremely restrictive and rare)), the term is 30 years (7 years for Arabs). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Does United Arab Emirates allow dual nationality?
Renouncing the previous citizenship
What documentation does naturalization in United Arab Emirates require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Foreign passport with a UAE residence visa; Criminal record certificate; Arabic-knowledge certificate; Proof of income and employment; Declaration of renunciation of the previous citizenship; among 1 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of United Arab Emirates?
United Arab Emirates provides 3 pathways: Naturalization by residence, By descent, Citizenship by exceptional merits.
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Anything to correct or add about United Arab Emirates?
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