His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai announced new citizenship laws giving expats the possibility of obtaining a citizenship. The new and historic new change in the law will allow foreign investors, doctors, scientists, artists, and talented people to be UAE citizens.
The ruler of Dubai tweeted: “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.”
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
The new laws have been implemented in a bid to embrace expats who have exceptional skills and talents as members of UAE society – but in order to obtain the citizenship, government or royal court officials, including the cabinet, the executive council of the seven emirates, the rulers’ court, or their crown prince, must nominate the skilled professionals to get it.
Those eligible to be nominated for the new citizenship include people in specialized fields of work including, scientists, doctors, artists and those with other exceptional skills. Spouses and children of those individuals will also receive the citizenship, and also have the option to stick to their original nationality. The new legal changes also mean that the individual can maintain their original nationality, allowing them to hold dual citizenship.
Anyone who is deemed eligible for the UAE citizenship must swear the oath of allegiance, comply with Emirati laws and inform the government agency if they acquire or lose another citizenship. The perks of obtaining this citizenship include the right to establish or own commercial entities and properties, in addition to any other benefits granted by federal authorities after the approval of cabinet or local authorities.
