The reality is that Emirati citizenship is not a straightforward path for most expats. The UAE does not offer a traditional naturalisation route based simply on years of residency, unlike many other countries. However, that does not mean it is impossible. There are specific, clearly defined pathways for exceptional individuals to obtain UAE citizenship, and since 2021, those pathways have expanded significantly.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know: who can get UAE citizenship, how the process works, how long it takes, and what you can realistically expect. Whether you are a long-term resident, a skilled professional, or an investor, this article will give you an honest and clear picture of where you stand.
Can Expats Get UAE Citizenship?
The short answer is yes, but for a select group of people, and not through the route most expats assume.
The UAE does not grant citizenship based on birth on UAE soil (jus soli), and it does not offer an automatic naturalisation path for long-term residents, as countries like the UK, Canada, or Germany do. For the vast majority of expats, no matter how many years they have lived and worked in the UAE, permanent residency or citizenship is not automatically available.
However, in January 2021, the UAE government made a significant policy change. Federal Law No. 17 of 2021 opened a new pathway allowing the UAE to grant citizenship to a carefully selected group of individuals who demonstrate exceptional value to the country. This was a landmark shift in how the UAE approaches citizenship, and it changed the conversation for many long-term residents and high-achieving professionals.
So while UAE citizenship remains rare and selective, it is now more accessible than it has ever been.
Who Is Eligible for UAE Citizenship?
UAE citizenship through the 2021 pathway is granted to specific categories of exceptional individuals. These are nominated by the UAE rulers, members of the Supreme Council, their deputies and sons, ministers, and other senior government officials. The key eligible categories are as follows.
Investors
Individuals who own property in the UAE or hold significant investments in the country may be nominated for citizenship. There is no publicly stated minimum investment threshold, but the expectation is that the investment must be substantial and contribute meaningfully to the UAE economy.
Doctors and Medical Specialists
Doctors who are specialised in fields that are rare or in high demand within the UAE, and who have made meaningful contributions to the country’s healthcare sector, are eligible for consideration.
Scientists and Researchers
Scientists and researchers who are actively working in the UAE or who are willing to continue their research within the country are eligible, particularly those whose work is in fields the UAE considers a national priority, such as space, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and medicine.
Creative and Cultural Figures
Artists, intellectuals, and cultural figures who have made a significant mark in their respective fields and whose presence enriches the UAE’s cultural landscape can also be nominated.
Specialised Talents
This is a broader category that includes engineers, technically skilled professionals, and individuals whose expertise is rare and valuable to the UAE’s development goals.
It is important to understand that all of these pathways are based on nomination, not application. There is no online portal where you submit your documents and wait for an outcome. Candidates are identified and put forward by the UAE authorities. This is a fundamental difference from most other citizenship processes in the world.
How to Become a UAE Citizen Process Explained
Because UAE citizenship is granted by nomination rather than application, the process looks quite different from what most people expect. Here is how it typically works.
Step 1: Nomination by a UAE Authority
The process begins when a UAE ruler, senior official, or relevant government entity identifies a qualifying individual and nominates them for citizenship. This can happen as a result of a person’s professional reputation, their contributions to a specific sector, or a recommendation from a relevant ministry or department.
Step 2: Background Verification and Review
Once nominated, the individual undergoes a thorough background check and review process. This covers their professional credentials, legal history, financial standing, and overall track record. The UAE takes this stage seriously, and the review can take time.
Step 3: Approval from the Relevant Authority
Following the review, the nomination is submitted for approval at the appropriate governmental level. Approval is not guaranteed; even after nomination, individuals may not proceed if they do not meet all the necessary criteria upon review.
Step 4: Issuance of UAE Citizenship Documents
Once approved, the individual is issued UAE citizenship documents, which include a UAE passport and an Emirates ID as a citizen. Recipients of UAE citizenship are permitted to retain their original nationality; the UAE allows dual citizenship in these cases, which is a significant departure from the country’s historical stance on the matter.
How Long Does It Take to Get UAE Citizenship?
This is one of the most common questions people ask, and the honest answer is: it depends significantly on the individual case and the pathway through which they are being considered.
For those nominated through the exceptional talent pathway, the timeline from nomination to approval and document issuance can range from several months to over a year. There is no publicly available standard processing time because each case is reviewed individually at the highest levels of government.
What is clear is that there is no shortcut, no minimum residency period that automatically triggers eligibility, and no fee that can accelerate the process. The pace is determined by the complexity of the background check, the availability of the relevant approving authorities, and the completeness of the individual’s profile.
In practical terms, most people who receive UAE citizenship do so without having explicitly applied for it. They are identified, nominated, and guided through the process by the relevant UAE authority. For this reason, the best thing a qualified individual can do is focus on building genuine contributions to the UAE professionally, scientifically, culturally, or economically, rather than trying to navigate a process that is not publicly open for general applications.
UAE Citizenship vs UAE Golden Visa: What Is the Difference?
Many people confuse UAE citizenship with the UAE Golden Visa, and it is easy to see why. Both are designed for exceptional individuals. Both offer long-term stability in the UAE. But they are very different things.
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa, typically valid for five or ten years, that is renewable. It gives holders the right to live, work, and study in the UAE without a national sponsor. Golden Visa holders are residents, not citizens. They do not hold a UAE passport, and they do not have the same rights as Emirati citizens.
UAE citizenship, by contrast, grants the holder full citizen status. This includes a UAE passport, which is one of the most powerful travel documents in the world, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries, as well as all the rights and benefits that come with being an Emirati national.
The Golden Visa is the more accessible of the two and is available to a much wider range of individuals, including investors, skilled professionals, outstanding students, and entrepreneurs. If you are exploring long-term options in the UAE and full citizenship is not yet within reach, the Golden Visa is a strong and meaningful alternative.
You can learn more about the UAE Golden Visa through Profound UAE’s Golden Visa services.
Can Children Born in UAE Get UAE Citizenship?
The UAE does not grant citizenship by birth on its soil. A child born in the UAE to non-UAE parents does not automatically receive UAE citizenship or permanent residency. The child’s nationality follows the parents’ nationality.
However, there are two exceptions worth noting. First, children born in the UAE to an Emirati father are automatically UAE citizens by descent. Second, stateless children, meaning they have no citizenship from any other country, may be granted UAE citizenship under certain humanitarian circumstances.
For expat families, children born in the UAE are typically registered on their parents’ residency visa and eventually need to transition to their own visa or residency status as they grow up.
What Benefits Come With UAE Citizenship?
For those who do obtain Emirati citizenship, the benefits are considerable.
The UAE passport is consistently ranked among the strongest in the world, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 180 countries. UAE citizens also have access to free healthcare and education, priority access to government services, the right to own property in all designated areas across the Emirates, and the ability to sponsor family members for residency.
UAE citizens can also own 100 percent of businesses on the UAE mainland without a local partner, a right that has historically been one of the more significant distinctions between citizens and residents, though mainland ownership rules have relaxed considerably in recent years for non-citizens as well.
Beyond the practical benefits, Emirati citizenship carries significant social standing and security. It is a status that reflects a deep, permanent connection to the country, and that is something many long-term residents deeply value.
FAQ: How to Get UAE Citizenship
Q1. Can expats apply for UAE citizenship directly?
No. UAE citizenship is not available through a direct public application. It is granted by nomination from the UAE rulers, senior officials, or relevant government bodies. Expats cannot submit an application for citizenship on their own initiative.
Q2. How long does it take to get UAE citizenship?
There is no fixed timeline. The process from nomination to final approval typically takes several months to over a year, depending on the complexity of the individual’s background review and the approving authority involved.
Q3. How many years do you need to live in the UAE to get citizenship?
The UAE does not have a standard residency-based naturalisation period open to all expats. Long-term residency alone does not qualify someone for citizenship. Eligibility is based on exceptional contribution, not years of residency.
Q4. Does the UAE allow dual citizenship?
For those granted citizenship under the 2021 exceptional talent pathway, the UAE permits dual citizenship. This was a significant change from the previous position, where naturalised citizens were expected to renounce their original nationality.
Q5. Can I get UAE citizenship by investment?
There is no publicly available citizenship by investment programme in the UAE. However, investors who have made a substantial and meaningful economic contribution to the country may be nominated for citizenship. This is different from simply purchasing property or making a minimum investment.
Q6. What is the difference between UAE citizenship and the Golden Visa?
The Golden Visa is a long-term residency permit (five or ten years, renewable) that allows you to live and work in the UAE without a national sponsor. UAE citizenship grants full citizen status, including a UAE passport. They are not the same thing.
Q7. Can I get a UAE passport if I marry an Emirati?
A foreign woman who marries an Emirati man may apply for UAE citizenship after a specified period of marriage, subject to approval by the relevant authorities. However, this is not automatic, and conditions apply. A foreign man who marries an Emirati woman does not receive citizenship through marriage.
Q8. How do I increase my chances of being nominated for UAE citizenship?
There is no guaranteed way to seek nomination, but building a strong profile of contribution to the UAE in science, medicine, business, culture, or technology and maintaining a positive and legally compliant presence in the country is the best foundation. Recognition from UAE government entities and involvement in sectors aligned with national development goals also help.
Q9. Is UAE citizenship open to all nationalities?
There are no publicly stated nationality restrictions on who can be nominated for UAE citizenship under the 2021 pathway. Eligible individuals from any country can be considered, based on their qualifications and contributions.
Q10. What documents are needed for UAE citizenship?
Because citizenship is nomination-based and not a self-initiated application, there is no standard public checklist. Once nominated, the relevant UAE authority will guide the individual through the documentation required for their background review and approval process.
Conclusion
Getting UAE citizenship is not a simple process, and it was never designed to be. The UAE is selective, deliberate, and thoughtful about who it welcomes into its national family. But for those who truly qualify as exceptional scientists, the visionary investors, the skilled professionals who have made the UAE their home and contributed something meaningful to its growth, citizenship is a real and achievable outcome.
If citizenship is not yet within reach, the UAE Golden Visa is a powerful and practical alternative that offers long-term stability and a genuine sense of belonging in this country. And for those building their lives and businesses in the UAE, ensuring your residency, company formation, and PRO documentation are all in order is the essential first step.
Profound UAE has helped thousands of professionals and businesses establish themselves firmly and legally in the UAE. Whether you need help with your Golden Visa, PRO services, business setup in Dubai, or simply want expert guidance on your options, the team at Profound UAE is ready to help.
Visit profounduae.com to speak with an expert, or explore specific services at the links below.
