Yes, you can obtain UAE citizenship by fulfilling the eligibility criteria. In 2021, the UAE started offering citizenship to foreign nationals. The aim is to attract skilled scientists, healthcare professionals, investors, and individuals with exceptional talent to boost the country’s economy. The UAE offers dual citizenship and allows the candidate to retain their first nationality along with the UAE Citizenship. With UAE citizenship, you can access multiple jobs with competitive income, free education and healthcare, and financial aid for personal expenses.
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Who Can Apply for UAE Citizenship?
You can get citizenship in the UAE in any of the following ways:
- Descendancy - If any of your parents are of UAE nationality, you will be granted Dubai citizenship.
- Marriage to an Emirati national—If you marry an Emirati national, you are eligible to apply for citizenship in the UAE.
- Exceptional merit – If you contributed significantly in any of the fields listed below, you can apply for UAE citizenship. You must be either of the following:
- Doctor
- Specialist
- Inventor
- Scientist
- Intellectual
- individual with creative talents
- Investor
- Long-term residency - If you have lived in the UAE for 30 years or more, you can apply for citizenship. You can apply for residency through:
- Green Visa
- UAE Golden Visa
- Retirement Visa
Eligibility Criteria for UAE Citizenship
To qualify for UAE citizenship, you must fulfill the following requirements.
- As an investor, you must own a property in the UAE.
- A doctor must have expertise in a discipline which is in high demand in the UAE,
- A scientist must be an active researcher
- An inventor must have one or more patents authorized by the Ministry of Economy (MoE) of the UAE
- Individuals with creative talents must be exceptional in their field and have a letter of recommendation from credible individuals or organizations in the UAE.
- Have the required proficiency in Arabic
*Read More on The UAE Job Market in 2025-26
Requirements for Citizenship in UAE
The documents required to apply for UAE citizenship are given below. You must have:
- A valid passport
- Valid UAE residency visa
- Copy of:
- Birth certificate
- Educational credentials
- Good health certificate
- No criminal records
- Proof of investment of AED 1 million
- Monthly income of AED 20,000
- Letter of Recommendation
How to Apply for UAE Citizenship?
The step-by-step procedure to apply for UAE citizenship is given below.
Step 1: Check your eligibility for the citizenship of UAE
Step 2: Prepare the documents required to apply for citizenship
Step 3: Submit the duly filled citizenship application
Step 4: Attend the interview
Step 5: Wait for the decision on your citizenship application
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