The Ultimate Guide on How to Get Dubai Citizenship
The UAE is one of the most popular Middle Eastern countries which foreign nationals choose to move to. Of all the Emirates, Dubai is the most preferred country by those interested in working or starting a business in the UAE.
This is the main reasons when saying that Dubai is the most perferred country for immigration in the UAE is that, many individuals refer their interest to Dubai citizenship instead of UAE citizenship. Being a Dubai citizenship has many benefits apart from living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Under the UAE new law, UAE dual citizenship is permitted. According to the emirati nationality first law, the are four ways to obtain citizenship in the UAE.
- By descent
- By marriage
- By naturalization
- By exceptional merit
By Descent
Being born in the United Arab Emirates doesn’t grant citizenship at instant. Before an individual obtain citizenship by descent, he or she is to at least belong to one of these group;
- Must be from a family of long term Arab settlers in the United Arab Emirates.This explains that a family of ethnic Arabs that settle in the UAE before 1925 and stayed till 1972.
- Must be from an Emirati father that lives in the country or a abroad.
- Must be from an Emirati mother in the country or overseas, without a legally established father or a stateless father
- Also from an unknown parent in the country, meaning the individual is a foundling born in the UAE
By Marriage
A UAE citizen of any gender must obtain a permission from the court before marrying a foreigner. It cleared in that foreigners must always have a UAE residence visa, along with a clean medical and criminal record.
Religious practices are not an issue i.e Non-Muslims can marry in the UAE as far as both parties are consent.
A man of another national that marries an Emirati woman won’t be offer citizenship in the UAE. A foreign woman who marries an Emirati man can receive citizenship in UAE;
If you decide to get citizenship by marriage (As a woman)
- Getting citizenship by marriage in the UAE works for only foreign woman who are married to an Emirati man
- Remain married for up to 7 years
- Have your husband complete a citizenship request you.
- Pay a fee
The foreign woman will be eligible for a UAE nationality after seven respective years if they have children. Otherwise, she will wait for 10 years no child.
By Naturalization
Guide to get citizenship by naturalization:
- To reside in the UAE, you should have a sponsor who is an Emirati citizen either a family member or an employer.
- The sponsor will have to apply for an entry permit for you with the General Directorate of Residence and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) for you to complete the entry permit application. Once it is issued, get to the UAE and apply for your residency visa ASAP cause it must be issued within 30 days of your arrival.
- Get a residency visa once you arrive; let your sponsor go to GDRFA and complete the process for getting a residency visa for you. When your residency visa is issued out, it will only be valid for 2 years.
- To be eligible to apply for citizenship in the UAE as a foreigner, you must reside in UAE for 30 years
- Exhibit good character and a positive reputation: When you apply for a UAE citizenship, the GDRFA will request for references who will conclude to your character and morality. Note that the UAE won’t grant citizenship to those with negative morality.
- Learn to speak and read Arabic language. You can’t be a citizen of the UAE unless you are able to communicate well in Arabic.
By Exceptional Merit
The exceptional merit applicants are;
- Doctors: with at least ten years of practice and also hold membership of a reputable organization in their field with also a recognize scientific contribution to research in their field
- Inventors: who have patent approval by the UAE ministry of Economic or any other reputable organization.
- Scientist: with at least ten years of experience in their field and with atleast one international award or research grant in the field.
- Investors: for example those who have brought real house estate in the UAE
Concern individuals who want citizenship in the UAE must fall under this criteria to be nominated for citizenship by the UAE royals or officials to receive citizenship.
How to Apply for UAE Citizenship
The authorities of the specific Emirate in which you currently reside is where to apply for the UAE citizenship. Meanwhile, you’ll need to appear in person for meetings to enable process your application, application forms are available online.
It is a good idea to have a local lawyer or immigration specialist to assist you with your application due to the rules, complexity and requirements.
Who Can Obtain Dubai Citizenship According to the New Rules?
According to the latest changes made in the legislation, the new Dubai citizenship rules include the following categories of immigrants who can qualify for the UAE citizenship:
- Foreign investors
- Specialists in various fields of activity
- Doctors and scientists
- Inventors and intellectuals
- Immigrants with creative skills.
And the other categories of individuals who can also apply to UAE citizenship are also foreign women who marry UAE men.
Conclusion
Be patient while trying to get a UAE citizenship cause it wil take some time. Learning about how to obtain the UAE make the process easier.
To apply for naturalization as a foreign national, you will need a sponsor, which can be a family member or employer. From there, complete an entry permit application, which you’ll need to get a residency visa and will have to renew every 2 years.
Then, you’ll have to reside in the UAE for 30 years to be eligible to apply for citizenship. Men who that who marry an Emirati woman won’t be eligible for citizenship, but a foreign women who marry a man with UAE citizenship are eligible. Eligible for Emirati citizenship will be after 7 years of marriage.
If you decide to go this way, you’ll need to have your husband complete a citizenship request for a foreign wife, pay a fee, and revoke your original citizenship. To learn how you can apply for citizenship if your mother is an Emirati citizen, read more from our Legal co-author!
