A significant part of the population of the United Arab Emirates is made up of people from other countries. Economic prosperity, a high standard of living, advanced medicine, quality education, a lenient tax regime, unique business opportunities and, finally, a warm climate and sea all year round attract expats from all over the world to the Emirates.
According to some data, the share of immigrants in the population of the UAE is more than 84 per cent. Natives in this state are only 12 per cent.
To study, work or do business in the Emirates, most foreign nationals apply for a residence permit. On the basis of one of the long-term visa categories, an immigrant can stay in the United Arab Emirates from 1 to 10 years, with the possibility of extension.
Obtaining a UAE passport is much more difficult, as prospective subjects must meet very strict requirements. For the most part, expats are content with a residence permit. They may live in the Emirates for many years but never obtain citizenship.
A United Arab Emirates passport is essential for those entrepreneurs who have a future in this country, plan to make it their new home, and expect to enjoy the additional benefits of a second citizenship.
Despite state support and many privileges, a significant proportion of Emirati citizens prefer to work. Less than 10 per cent of subjects do not work anywhere.
According to the rules in force in the country, when recruiting staff, a business owner must give preference to UAE nationals. As a rule, a national earns 2-3 times more than an immigrant in exactly the same position.
Only citizens can work in the government of the United Arab Emirates. And those nationals with 20 years of service will be able to retire when they reach the age of 49.
The state provides young citizens with free school and university education, including education abroad. With a passport from this country, you can receive free medical care and, if necessary, go abroad for treatment. And the UAE government will reimburse a significant part of your expenses.
Emirati citizens do not pay income tax. Immovable property, dividends, gifts and inheritance are also not subject to tax.
Moreover, nationals who are employed do not need to complete and submit a tax return. The same rule applies to individual entrepreneurs and the self-employed.
More than 100 jurisdictions have signed international double tax treaties with the UAE. These countries include: UK, Canada, New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the UK.
A United Arab Emirates passport holder is exempt from paying utility bills if these costs are within the limit set by the authorities. But even if the utility bills exceed this minimum, the citizen pays only a part of the amount.
If two UAE nationals marry, the state pays a large cash allowance to the newlyweds. The exact amount and method of receiving this benefit depends on the Emirate.
When a young family gives birth to a child, they can also count on government assistance. Firstly, a monthly allowance of 3,500 dirhams ($ 953) per month. Secondly, the family can be provided with a subsidy, a house or a plot of land for construction.
It is important to note that Emirati nationals receive significantly fewer benefits if they marry a foreign woman.
Foreign entrepreneurs with a UAE passport can register companies throughout the country without any restrictions, not excluding free economic zones.
The United Arab Emirates authorities have a relaxed attitude towards citizens with multiple passports if they have obtained their status for investment or professional achievements.
Moreover, if the immigration authorities of that country deem it possible to grant you citizenship, your wife and children can also apply for this honourable status.
In international rankings designed to assess the strength of a jurisdiction’s passport, the main document of a citizen of the United Arab Emirates takes honourable 8th place. This means that UAE citizens can cross the borders of 184 countries of the world without a visa or with a visa on arrival.
In China and Japan, an Emirates passport will allow you to stay up to 30 days without any additional authorisation. And in the UK, UAE citizens can stay up to 180 days a year.
If we were able to convince you of the need to obtain UAE citizenship, it remains only to figure out how to do it for a resident of a foreign country. There are at least 5 ways to become the owner of the coveted blue passport with a golden falcon.
This is probably the longest immigration route possible, as most foreigners take a long 30 years. Let us consider a common option of obtaining citizenship through naturalisation:
This option of obtaining citizenship is available only for women. In this case, the basis for obtaining a passport will be to be married to an Emirati citizen for 7 years if the couple has a common child, and for 10 years if there are no children.
The requirements for such an applicant are not so strict. For example, she will not need to prove higher education.
Please note that in this case, the foreign spouse will have to renounce her first citizenship in order to obtain a UAE passport. Women who have obtained citizenship as the spouse of an Emirati resident cannot in principle hold a second passport. The death of their husband will not deprive them of their status as a citizen of the United Arab Emirates, but they risk losing it if they subsequently marry a foreigner or apply for naturalisation in another country.
The child has the right to obtain UAE citizenship:
The mere fact of birth in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or in any other emirate of the country of a child of foreign nationals does not entitle the child to automatic citizenship.
The possibility to obtain citizenship of the United Arab Emirates for investments appeared in 2021. The main condition is the purchase of residential or commercial property on the territory of one of the emirates.
The minimum investment required to obtain a UAE passport is not regulated by official documents. Moreover, the purchase of property in the Emirates is a key condition for obtaining a long-term visa:
Although, as stated, the size of the minimum investment in Emirates property required to obtain citizenship is not regulated, we already have actual data. The passport of the United Arab Emirates could be obtained by those foreign investors who purchased real estate property worth more than 10 million dirhams on the territory of this wonderful country.
If you are ready to invest in your second citizenship an amount equivalent to 2.73 million US dollars, our staff will help you find the most interesting properties in the UAE!
This immigration route also came into existence in 2021. By granting citizenship, the authorities attract to the UAE experienced professionals with significant professional merit in their field – outstanding scientists, inventors, engineers, doctors, athletes, intellectuals and artists.
There are a number of requirements for each of the categories listed:
If you have achieved international recognition in your profession and are eligible to apply for UAE citizenship, but are having difficulty gathering supporting documents and/or obtaining a letter of recommendation, Imperial & Legal will come to your aid.
In our case study, we take a step-by-step look at the immigration route for an investor from the first consultation to obtaining a United Arab Emirates passport.
The process of obtaining UAE citizenship is divided into several stages:
Since 2021, it has been mandatory for new citizens to renounce their first citizenship. An exception is made only for investors and foreigners with outstanding professional achievements. In any case, you should notify the UAE authorities of your second citizenship or renunciation of it.
Passport issuance (up to 48 hours to obtain an e-passport)
You need an Emirates passport to visit 184 states without a visa, open bank accounts and register companies abroad.
The passport application is submitted separately and, depending on the Emirate, the procedure can take from one working day to 15-20 minutes.
A UAE passport is valid for 5 years and, unlike an ID, it cannot be renewed. In other words, you will need to get a new document before it becomes expired.
If you are not ready to obtain citizenship status through the naturalisation process, there are 2 quicker ways – through large investments in real estate or for special merit. Both routes involve careful paperwork and close co-operation with the UAE immigration authorities. Therefore, to apply for an Emirates passport without the hassle and unforeseen costs, seek professional advice from Imperial & Legal!
The minimum period of residence in the UAE for citizenship will be significantly less if the applicant is from an Arab country:
7 years
Investors, as well as professionals with international achievements (engineers, research scientists, inventors, doctors, talented athletes, people of intellectual and creative professions) can obtain the nationality of the United Arab Emirates without renouncing their first citizenship.
The minimum package of required documents includes:
This is a document in which the male applicant lists his family members. If the application is approved and the man is granted citizenship, all persons listed in the family book are also eligible for this immigration status.
If a new citizen has a foreign wife, she must be married to him for a minimum period of time as prescribed by the rules before she can be granted UAE nationality (see the section on citizenship by marriage). Please note – the time of marriage does not count from the date of your wedding, but from the date of registration of the family book.
The main document that proves your identity in the Emirates is ID – a plastic biometric card, which has a chip with your fingerprint and personal data in addition to your photo.
The ID card, like the electronic Golden Visa, is obtained from the ICP. The validity of your card corresponds to the period for which you were issued a resident visa. The ID-card can be renewed. A biometric card is also required for those immigrants who have been granted citizenship in the Emirates.
When applying for a passport, the resident incurs the following costs:
The total comes to 65 dirhams, which equates to $ 17.7.
UAE citizenship not only provides great advantages, but also imposes a number of restrictions on the resident. Moreover, non-compliance with some requirements may lead to revocation of citizenship.
Apart from obvious offences such as terrorist activities, criminal offences or working for a state hostile to the Emirates, your desire to naturalise in another jurisdiction may be sufficient to revoke your citizenship. Just like your long absence from the UAE (lasting 4 years or more) without any valid reasons.
You will be stripped of your citizenship if you are found to have misled the ICP and advisory boards by giving false or misleading information about yourself during the naturalisation process.
Emirati nationals may not perform military service in the army of another State without the appropriate authorisation from the authorities of the new homeland.
Finally, those categories of new citizens who did not obtain UAE citizenship for investment or special merit are strongly advised not to use their first passport.
When living in the Emirates, you should not forget that you are in a country living under Muslim laws, with its own strict rules and special etiquette. There are some prohibitions concerning appearance and behaviour in public places, violation of which outside the tourist zones leads to large monetary fines.
We will work with you to find a customised solution for your immigration, second citizenship, business, tax and other needs.
Company Registration in the UAE.
Citizenship by Investment
Dual citizenship
International tax and estate planning
Visa-free travel
Residence by investment