The United Arab Emirates is one of the most prominent destinations targeted by many to live and work due to the economic stability and advanced infrastructure it provides. Individuals are required to obtain residence permits to reside legally in the UAE, in addition to the possibility of naturalization for some individuals wishing to obtain Emirati citizenship. In this article, we comprehensively review the requirements for obtaining Emirati citizenship, the differences between Emirati citizens and residents, naturalization procedures and recent amendments in this regard.
Requirements for Obtaining Emirati Citizenship
To obtain Emirati citizenship, you must meet a set of conditions and requirements set by the laws and regulations in the UAE. This usually requires permanent residence in the Emirates for a certain period, in addition to the availability of certain certificates proving belonging and social and economic interaction with the community. Candidates for Emirati citizenship can submit their applications to the relevant authorities and wait for the appropriate decision to be made regarding them.
The difference between an Emirati citizen and a resident
The rights and duties differ between an Emirati citizen and a resident in the UAE. While a UAE citizen enjoys full political rights such as the right to vote and stand for election, a resident usually has specific rights linked to his legal status and the type of residence permit. On the other hand, residents are required to perform certain duties and obligations towards the UAE and society under the applicable laws and regulations.
Who are the citizens of the United Arab Emirates
- An Arab who resided in one of the member emirates in 1925 or before and who maintained his normal residence therein until the effective date of this law. The residence of the ascendants is considered complementary to the residence of the descendants.
- A person born in the UAE or abroad to a father who is a citizen of the UAE by law.
- A person born in the UAE or abroad to a mother who is a citizen by law and whose lineage to his father has not been legally proven.
- A person born in the UAE or abroad to a mother who is a citizen by law and whose father is unknown or whose nationality is unknown.
- A person born in the UAE to unknown parents. A foundling is considered born therein unless proven otherwise.
Who is entitled to obtain citizenship?
- For a foreign woman married to a citizen after seven years from the date of submitting the application to the Authority (this is in the event of having one or more children). If there are no children, the period extends to ten years in the event of no children.
- For Arabs of Omani, Qatari or Bahraini origin, but with the following conditions:
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- He has been in the UAE continuously and legally for a period of not less than three years, and this period is calculated from the date of submitting the application.
- He has a legitimate means of livelihood.
- He has good conduct.
- He has not been convicted of a crime that violates honor and trust.
- Members of Arab tribes who have migrated from neighboring countries to the UAE, but with the following conditions:
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- They have resided in it legally and continuously for a period of not less than three years immediately preceding the date of submitting the application for naturalization.
- Any Arab with full legal capacity if he has resided continuously and lawfully in the member emirates.
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- Must reside for a period of not less than seven years.
- Must be immediately prior to submitting the application for naturalization.
- Must have a legitimate means of livelihood
- Must be of good conduct and not convicted of a crime involving dishonor or trustworthiness.
- Any person with full legal capacity if he has resided continuously and lawfully in the member emirates since 1940 or before, and has maintained his normal residence until the effective date of this law:
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- Must have a legitimate means of livelihood.
- Must be of good conduct and not convicted of a crime involving dishonor or trustworthiness.
- Must be fluent in the Arabic language.
- Any person with full legal capacity:
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- Must reside continuously and lawfully in the member emirates for a period of not less than thirty years, of which he shall spend at least twenty years after the effective date of this law.
- Must have a legitimate means of livelihood.
- Must be of good conduct and not convicted of a crime involving dishonor or trustworthiness.
- Must be fluent in the Arabic language.
- Any person who has provided distinguished services to the UAE without being bound by the residence period.
- Investors, entrepreneurs, professionals and talented people.
- Citizenship may be granted to the sons and daughters of a female citizen married to a foreigner after a period of not less than six years has passed from the date of birth, provided that the mother enjoyed citizenship at the time of birth until the date of the application for citizenship.
General conditions for obtaining citizenship
- To renounce his original nationality or any other nationality he holds.
- To have a legal and continuous residence in the UAE.
- To be fluent in Arabic.
- To have a legal means of livelihood.
- To have an educational qualification.
- To be of good conduct and behavior.
- To not have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that violates honor or honesty unless his reputation has been restored.
- To obtain security approval.
- To swear an oath of allegiance to the UAE.
Exceptions
- A foreign woman married to a citizen who holds an educational qualification.
Loss of citizenship
- A final judgment issued convicting a citizen, whether he enjoys citizenship by law, naturalization or dependency, shall result in the revocation or withdrawal of citizenship as a secondary penalty, in the following crimes:
- If he is convicted of a terrorist crime stipulated in the Anti-Terrorism Crimes Law.
- If he is convicted of a crime that affects the external security of the UAE and is punishable according to the Federal Penal Code or other crimes that are considered to affect the external security of the UAE according to the laws in force in the UAE.
The nationality of the UAE shall be revoked from anyone who enjoys it in the following cases
- If he engages in military service for a foreign state without the permission of the UAE and is ordered to leave the service and refuses to do so.
- If he works for the benefit of a hostile state.
- If he voluntarily acquires the nationality of a foreign state
Naturalization Procedures According to Recent Laws and Amendments
Naturalization procedures are determined according to recent laws and amendments issued by the UAE government. This legislation aims to facilitate the process of obtaining citizenship for individuals who meet the specified conditions and demonstrate positive interaction with the local community. When reviewing new laws, it is important that the requirements and procedures are clear and understandable to everyone to ensure transparency and fairness.
Over the years, amendments and improvements have been made to the UAE’s citizenship and residency laws to simplify procedures and facilitate access to citizenship and residency. Through these amendments, the UAE government aims to improve the investment environment and attract more talent and investors to the UAE. These amendments range from updating the conditions and requirements to accelerating the processing of citizenship and residency applications.
The citizenship and residency system in the United Arab Emirates is a complex subject that requires a good understanding of the applicable laws and regulations. If you need further assistance or legal advice in this regard, our firm provides specialized law services that help you better understand matters and deal with them professionally and transparently.
Thus, we have briefly and comprehensively reviewed the topic of the nationality system in the United Arab Emirates. If you need any form of legal support, do not hesitate to contact us, as we have a team of the most famous lawyers in the United Arab Emirates with more than 25 years of experience, with a success rate exceeding 95% of legal support in nationality cases.