United Arab Emirates · Citizenship
Emirati Citizenship by Nomination
Foreigners cannot apply for Emirati nationality on their own initiative. Since January 2021, set categories, investors among them, can be nominated by federal entities, and those granted nationality may keep their original citizenship.
- Startup route
- Golden Visa (Entrepreneurs); no startup visa by name
- Minimum capital
- No set capital; incubator approval or AED 1M revenue
- Permanent residence
- No PR status; long-term visas renew instead
- Citizenship
- By nomination only; no residence-based path
Emirati nationality by nomination
Status: Nomination only; no open application process
In January 2021 the UAE Government approved amendments to the Executive Regulation of the Citizenship and Passports Law that allow specific categories of foreigners, with their spouses and children, to acquire Emirati nationality. The categories are investors, doctors, specialists, inventors, scientists, intellectuals, and talented people and artists. Nationality is conferred only through the Rulers' and Crown Princes' Courts, the offices of the Executive Councils and the Cabinet, based on nominations from federal entities. Each category has its own conditions: an investor, for example, must own property in the UAE. Nominees take an oath of allegiance, commit to UAE law and report any other citizenship they gain or lose.
- Route
- Nomination by federal entities; no direct application
- Investor condition
- Ownership of property in the UAE
- Experts
- Doctors and scientists need 10+ years of experience
- Original nationality
- May be retained under the 2021 amendment
- Withdrawal
- Possible if the conditions are breached
- Investment route
- No citizenship-by-investment program
Requirements
- Membership of an eligible category: investor, doctor, specialist, inventor, scientist, intellectual, artist or creative talent.
- For investors, ownership of property in the UAE.
- For inventors, patents approved by the Ministry of Economy or a reputable international body, with a ministry recommendation letter.
- For doctors, specialists and scientists, at least 10 years of practical experience and recognized contributions in their field.
- An oath of allegiance, a commitment to UAE law and a duty to report any other citizenship acquired or lost.
How to apply
- A federal entity identifies and nominates the candidate.
- The nomination is considered by the Rulers' and Crown Princes' Courts, an Executive Council office or the Cabinet.
- If nationality is granted, the nominee takes the oath of allegiance and loyalty to the UAE.
Dual nationality and investors
The 2021 amendment lets a naturalized Emirati keep the original nationality, a notable exception for people brought in through nomination. Outside that framework the UAE does not offer a path in which a resident can collect years of residence and then apply. Owning property is a condition for the investor category, but buying property does not trigger a nomination, and there is no published price or investment amount that leads to a passport. Founders should therefore treat Emirati nationality as an honor that may follow exceptional contribution rather than as a stage of their residence plan.
Questions and answers
Can a foreigner apply for UAE citizenship?
Not directly. Emirati nationality is acquired only through the Rulers' and Crown Princes' Courts, the offices of the Executive Councils and the Cabinet, based on nominations from federal entities. A foreign resident cannot start the process alone, whatever the length of residence or size of investment.
Does the UAE allow dual citizenship?
Only in a limited way. The 2021 amendment to the Executive Regulation of the Citizenship and Passports Law allows foreigners naturalized through the nomination categories to retain their original nationality. They must inform the relevant UAE government entity if they later acquire or lose any other citizenship.
Is there a UAE citizenship-by-investment program?
No. Investors form one of the categories that can be nominated for Emirati nationality, with property ownership in the UAE as a condition, but there is no program that grants citizenship in exchange for a set investment. Investment-based options in the UAE lead to long-term residence through the Golden and Green Visas.
Official sources
- Emirati nationality - The Official Portal of the UAE Governmentu.ae
- Golden visa - The Official Portal of the UAE Governmentu.ae
- Golden Residency Guide - ICPicp.gov.ae
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in United Arab Emirates.
Startup visa
No startup visa; Golden Visa entrepreneur category or Green Visa instead
02Temporary residence
5- or 10-year renewable residence, sponsor-free, with family included
03Permanent residence
No PR concept; renewing a long-term visa is the closest equivalent
04Citizenship
Nomination by federal entities only; nominees may keep their nationality