UAE announces citizenship for investors, skilled professionals

The United Arab Emirates has approved amendments to the Executive Regulation of the Federal Law concerning Nationality and Passports allowing investors, professionals, special talents and their families to acquire the Emirati nationality and passport under certain conditions.

The move aims at attracting more bright minds to the Emirati community in a way that contributes to the development and prosperity of the country.

Categories that can qualify to acquire the Emirati nationality include: investors, doctors, specialists, inventors, scientists, talents, intellectuals, artists and their families (spouse and children), meanwhile the amendments allow retaining the current nationality.

Conditions for granting citizenship

The amendments specified the conditions that must be met in each category.

Doctors and specialists must be specialised in a unique scientific discipline or any other scientific principles that are highly required in the UAE, the applicant must have acknowledged scientific contributions and a practical experience of not less than 10 years.

Scientists are required to be an active researcher in a university or research centre or in the private sector, with a practical experience of not less than 10 years in the same field.

Inventors who are willing to acquire Emirati citizenship are required to obtain one or more patents that are approved by the UAE Ministry of Economy or any other reputable international body, in addition to a recommendation letter from the Economy Ministry.

We 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.

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) January 30, 2021

Individuals with creative talents such as intellectuals and artists should be pioneers in the culture and art fields and winners of one or more international award.

The UAE cabinet, local Emiri courts & executive councils will nominate those eligible for the citizenship under clear criteria set for each category. The law allows receivers of the UAE passport to keep their existing citizenship.

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) January 30, 2021

As per the amendments, the citizenship can be withdrawn upon breach of the conditions. Acquiring the Emirati citizenship will be done through Rulers and Crown Princes Courts, Executive Councils, and the Cabinet based on federal entities nominations.