Emirates Will Grant Citizenship to Talented Foreigners

The UAE plans to grant citizenship to a select group of foreigners, becoming the first Gulf country to simplify the procedure. Foreigners make up more than 80% of the UAE's population, and for decades they have been the backbone of the local economy. However, they used to be able to obtain citizenship in special cases, for example, being in the service of the state, writes Bloomberg.

The UAE will now grant citizenship to selected investors and professionals, including scientists, doctors, engineers, artists, actors, and their families.

"The new guidelines are aimed at attracting talent that contributes to our development path," said the UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

According to him, the UAE Cabinet of Ministers, local courts and executive councils will nominate candidates who are eligible for citizenship, according to the criteria set for each category. The law will also allow the UAE passport recipients to retain their existing citizenship.

Conditions:

• Investors must own real estate in the UAE.
• Inventors must obtain one or more patents approved by the UAE Ministry of Economy or any other reputable international body, in addition to a letter of recommendation from the Ministry of Economy.
• Doctors and specialists should specialize in a unique scientific discipline or any other scientific principles that are urgently needed in the UAE.
• Scientists must be active researchers at a university, research center, or private sector, with at least 10 years of practical experience in the same field.
• Individuals with creative talents, such as intellectuals and artists, must be pioneers in the field of culture and art and winners of one or more international awards. It is mandatory to have a letter of recommendation from government agencies.

Recently, the UAE government has been trying hard to attract new residents from abroad. So, in September 2020, it was announced the introduction of a special residence permit for foreign pensioners in Dubai. And in October, the emirate also launched a new residency program that allows foreign professionals working remotely to move and live in Dubai. In addition, in November, the UAE authorities expanded the program of 10-year "golden visas". Now all holders of doctoral degrees, doctors, as well as engineers in the field of computer technology, programming, electronics and biotechnology are eligible to receive a residence permit in the country for a period of 10 years.

Quoting conditions of Prian.info materials