Important Updates
Important Updates
August 21, 2025 | United StatesFragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™
August 22, 2025 | JordanJordan: Vietnamese Nationals Can Now Obtain E-Visas, Visas-on-Arrival
August 22, 2025 | New ZealandNew Zealand: New Parent Boost Visitor Visa Forthcoming
August 22, 2025 | United StatesPartners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris Named 2025 New England Legal Awards Finalists
August 22, 2025 | United StatesThe Advocate: Navigating the Complexities of Business Immigration Law
August 21, 2025 | United StatesFragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™
August 22, 2025 | JordanJordan: Vietnamese Nationals Can Now Obtain E-Visas, Visas-on-Arrival
August 22, 2025 | New ZealandNew Zealand: New Parent Boost Visitor Visa Forthcoming
August 22, 2025 | United StatesPartners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris Named 2025 New England Legal Awards Finalists
August 22, 2025 | United StatesThe Advocate: Navigating the Complexities of Business Immigration Law
August 21, 2025 | United StatesFragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

First Non-Nationality-Based Pathway to Citizenship Announced

February 2, 2021

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

  • Select categories of foreign nationals will soon be eligible to obtain Emirati citizenship, opening the first non-nationality-based pathway to citizenship in the country. It is not yet clear when the law will go into effect.
  • Eligible categories of foreign nationals are expected to include creative talents; doctors and specialists; inventors; investors; and scientists.
  • Foreign nationals will be able to retain their other citizenship(s) when obtaining Emirati citizenship.

The situation

The Cabinet of the United Arab Emirates has announced that select categories of foreign nationals will be soon be eligible to obtain Emirati citizenship. It is not yet clear when the law will go into effect.

A closer look

The below table outlines the categories of foreign nationals who are expected to be eligible for the citizenship program, as well as the expected eligibility requirements for each category:

CATEGORIES GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS

Creative Talents (e.g., artists)

  • Pioneers in cultural or artistic fields
  • Must have won one or more international award
  • Must secure a recommendation letter from the relevant government entities in the United Arab Emirates

Doctors and Specialists

  • Must specialize in a unique, scientific discipline that is greatly needed in the United Arab Emirates
  • Must be able to document their scientific contributions, studies and research of a scientific value
  • Must be a member of a reputable organization in their field of specialization
  • Must have at least 10 years of practical experience in their field

Inventors

  • Must have obtained at least one patent approved by the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Economy or by any other reputable international agency
  • Must have a recommendation letter from the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Economy

Investors

  • Must own property in the United Arab Emirates

Scientists

  • Must be active researchers in a university or research center or a similar organization in the private sector
  • Must have practical experience of at least 10 years in their field of expertise
  • Must be able to document their scientific contributions e.g., by winning a prestigious award or securing substantial funding for their research in the past 10 years
  • Must obtain a recommendation letter from a recognized scientific institution in the United Arab Emirates

 

Other information

  • Process for obtaining citizenship. It is expected that eligible foreign nationals will receive a nomination from the government, based on recommendations from the Rulers and Crown Princes’ Courts, Executive Councils and the Cabinet. Foreign nationals will be required to swear to an oath and commit to abiding by the country’s laws.
  • Dependent eligibility. It is expected that legal opposite-sex spouses and children of individuals who acquire Emirati nationality will also be eligible to obtain citizenship.

 

Impact

Foreign nationals who obtain citizenship are expected to benefit from various privileges and rights that are currently reserved for Emiratis, including preferential bank loans, access to social programs, and potentially unrestricted access to property ownership, among other benefits. However, citizenship can be revoked upon a breach of conditions, which have not yet been described.

Background

  • Current restrictions. Currently, the United Arab Emirates has a very strict nationality law which only grants Emirati citizenship in narrow circumstances based on birthplace and ancestry or marriage.
  • Nationality laws in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates’ current narrowly-tailored nationality law is commonplace in the Middle East as many of the countries in the region have generous welfare programs which grant benefits to permanent residents and citizens.
  • Oil prices affecting permanent residence and citizenship laws. As a result of countries in the region seeking to diversify their economies away from the oil and gas industry, many countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have implemented permanent residence programs to attract highly-skilled and wealthy foreign nationals to their countries.

 

Looking ahead

Foreign nationals may be particularly interested in obtaining citizenship during the COVID-19 pandemic, since entry restrictions often only allow permanent residents and/or citizens to enter the country. This could provide an important pathway to entry to the United Arab Emirates that is currently unavailable, especially considering that the United Arab Emirates, like many countries, has and will likely continue to exempt its own citizens from certain entry and health requirements.

Further details of the new law are expected to be released in the coming weeks. Fragomen will provide updates as soon as they are available.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

Country / Territory

  • United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Video

Navigating Business Travel in Germany: Essential Insights | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler discusses how to navigate business travel in Germany.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris Named 2025 New England Legal Awards Finalists

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris are finalists for the 2025 New England Legal Awards in the Partner of the Year and Regional Managing Partner of the Year categories.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Advocate: Navigating the Complexities of Business Immigration Law

Matawan Managing Partner Rahul Shah reflects on his path in immigration law and shares his perspective on global mobility.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™

The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America™ honors numerous Fragomen attorneys for excellence in immigration law, including Partner Sarah K. Peterson, who received the distinguished “Lawyer of the Year” award.

Learn more

Video

Greek Citizenship by Descent: Are You Eligible?

In this video, Senior Manager Ben Morgan offers a comprehensive overview of Greek citizenship by descent—a key pathway for individuals with Greek ancestry to obtain citizenship.

Learn more

Blog post

Start Smart: Visa Pathways for Educational Opportunities in Thailand

Partner Aim-on Larpisal and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist outline key visa options available to international students seeking to study in Thailand, emphasizing strategic planning for a smooth application process.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Charles Johanes contributes to Global Mobility Lawyer’s Guide to Global Immigration

Partner Charles Johanes contributed insights to the Australia section of a global immigration and mobility guide.

Learn more

Media mentions

Pittsburgh Business Times: Viewpoint: Immigration Compliance: A Strategic Imperative for Today’s Employers

Pittsburgh Managing Partner Alex Castrodale and Associate Adam Teets highlight the need for US employers to prepare for unannounced immigration compliance checks.

Learn more

Blog post

From Ground Staff to Game Day: UK Skilled Worker Visa Changes in 2025 and the Impact on the Hidden Workforce in Sports Sector

Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.

Learn more

Blog post

Talent & Policy: Navigating Career Beginnings and Hiring Challenges in Singapore

Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.

Learn more

Blog post

Global Mobility Support and Visa Services: Fragomen’s Outbound Solutions from Germany

Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.

Learn more

Blog post

Lifting the Curtain: Saudi Arabia Demands Full Disclosure of Real Company Owners

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.

Learn more

Video

Navigating Business Travel in Germany: Essential Insights | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler discusses how to navigate business travel in Germany.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris Named 2025 New England Legal Awards Finalists

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris are finalists for the 2025 New England Legal Awards in the Partner of the Year and Regional Managing Partner of the Year categories.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Advocate: Navigating the Complexities of Business Immigration Law

Matawan Managing Partner Rahul Shah reflects on his path in immigration law and shares his perspective on global mobility.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™

The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America™ honors numerous Fragomen attorneys for excellence in immigration law, including Partner Sarah K. Peterson, who received the distinguished “Lawyer of the Year” award.

Learn more

Video

Greek Citizenship by Descent: Are You Eligible?

In this video, Senior Manager Ben Morgan offers a comprehensive overview of Greek citizenship by descent—a key pathway for individuals with Greek ancestry to obtain citizenship.

Learn more

Blog post

Start Smart: Visa Pathways for Educational Opportunities in Thailand

Partner Aim-on Larpisal and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist outline key visa options available to international students seeking to study in Thailand, emphasizing strategic planning for a smooth application process.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Charles Johanes contributes to Global Mobility Lawyer’s Guide to Global Immigration

Partner Charles Johanes contributed insights to the Australia section of a global immigration and mobility guide.

Learn more

Media mentions

Pittsburgh Business Times: Viewpoint: Immigration Compliance: A Strategic Imperative for Today’s Employers

Pittsburgh Managing Partner Alex Castrodale and Associate Adam Teets highlight the need for US employers to prepare for unannounced immigration compliance checks.

Learn more

Blog post

From Ground Staff to Game Day: UK Skilled Worker Visa Changes in 2025 and the Impact on the Hidden Workforce in Sports Sector

Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.

Learn more

Blog post

Talent & Policy: Navigating Career Beginnings and Hiring Challenges in Singapore

Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.

Learn more

Blog post

Global Mobility Support and Visa Services: Fragomen’s Outbound Solutions from Germany

Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.

Learn more

Blog post

Lifting the Curtain: Saudi Arabia Demands Full Disclosure of Real Company Owners

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.