In a bid to attract talented professionals and entrepreneurs from all over the world, the UAE announced major changes to its citizenship law to allow professionals in the following field: Doctors, Scientist, Artists, Foreign investors, talented people and families.
The new law allows citizenship to families, spouses and children of these specialised and skilled individuals.
Eligibility Criteria
The new UAE’s citizenship law offers a wide range of benefits which includes the right to establish and own commercial properties in UAE.
Doctors and Health Specialists in different health professions must have not less than 10 years of experience in their different area of speciality in addition to obtaining membership in a reputable organisation in their field of specialisation.
Scientists are required to be an active researcher in a university or research centre or the private sector, with a practical experience of not less than 10 years in the same field. They also should have contributions in the scientific field such as winning a prestigious scientific award or securing substantial funding for their research during the past 10 years.
Inventors are required to obtain one or more patents that are approved by the UAE Ministry of Economy or any other reputable international body, in addition to a recommendation letter from the Economy Ministry.
Creative talents including intellectuals and artists should be pioneers in the culture and art fields and winners of one or more international award(s). A recommendation letter from related government entities is mandatory as well.
Under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, United Arab Emirates Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai approved the amendments of the Executive Regulation of the Federal Law concerning Nationality and Passports.
“The new directives aim to attract talents that contribute to our development journey,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announced on his Twitter feed. In a series of posts, the Dubai Ruler explained that the UAE cabinet, local Emiri courts and executive councils will nominate those eligible for citizenship under clear criteria set for each category.
“The law allows receivers of the UAE passport to keep their existing citizenship,” tweeted Sheikh Mohammed. The government is yet to set out how nominees would be identified.
