Why did the UAE make it easier to obtain citizenship?

General information about the country

The UAE is a federation of absolute monarchies, consisting of seven autonomous emirates, the most famous of which are Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The country is located in the south of the Persian Gulf and has enormous oil and gas reserves, which has allowed the standard of living to rise to the highest level. Despite its prosperous status and high level of economic development, the state continues to remain one of the most closed in terms of public values.

One of the peculiarities of the UAE is the huge number of foreign migrants who work here. According to statistics, about 85% of the population are visitors. They live on the basis of a resident visa, conceived without the right to obtain full citizenship.

What does UAE citizenship provide?

Ways to obtain citizenship in the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is a rich country, developing rapidly in the oil industry, tourism, and shipbuilding. From birth, a UAE citizen receives huge payments and a guarantee of a comfortable future. The country's authorities make sure that the indigenous people have economic stability and a high standard of living.

The country's authorities are improving the conditions of social policy, raising the level of healthcare and the educational sphere. The state is included in the ranking of the best countries in the world, so many are interested in the question of how to obtain citizenship.

Luxurious resorts in the UAE, seven-star hotels, stunning architecture and bright sunshine attract hundreds of thousands of tourists to the Emirates every year. Many of them want to stay in this country, which amazes with its splendor and rapid progress.

For more information on where and how you can apply for a biometric passport, please follow the link.

Ways to obtain citizenship in the United Arab Emirates

Benefits of a subject:

  • Indigenous people work in high positions. For working professions, foreigners are attracted;
  • Working in the same positions as immigrants, a resident of the UAE, by law, will have a salary level that is several times higher, despite the equivalent work;
  • Upon birth, the child is credited with $100,000. In addition to cash assistance, a plot of land is provided;
  • The state supports its subjects throughout their lives with various benefits, bonuses, payments, and compensation. A resident of the country should not need anything;
  • A citizen of the Emirates has the opportunity to receive free education at any university in the world. All training is paid for by the state;
  • The state provides significant assistance to university graduates in matters of employment;
  • With a UAE passport, you can freely cross the borders of many countries in the world that have a visa-free regime with the Emirates. For trips and trips there is no need to worry about obtaining a permit;
  • Local residents receive subsidies for utilities. They have the opportunity to benefit from free medical care.

Thanks to the authorities' concern for the social security of their people, life expectancy is increasing. The average age of women was 76 years, men 73 years. To maintain a high standard of living, the authorities put forward strict requirements for foreigners wishing to obtain UAE citizenship and the corresponding privileges.

UAE Migration Policy

In the field of civil relations, the UAE adheres to the centuries-old traditions of a closed society, into which outsiders are extremely reluctant to be admitted. At the same time, foreigners are happily welcomed here as labor to perform tasks in certain sectors of the economy.

As for the possibility of obtaining civil status, foreigners face a lengthy bureaucratic check and careful selection of applicants. Even people who invest billions of dollars in the country's economy cannot become citizens; they are only content with resident visas.

Types of UAE Resident Visas

Types of resident visas in the UAE differ depending on how they are obtained: by purchasing real estate in the country, opening your own company, enrolling in a university, or getting a job in a legally operating company.

  • By purchasing real estate in the United Arab Emirates for an amount of at least 270 thousand dollars, you can obtain a resident visa, which will allow you to stay in the country without interruption, but it is issued only for two years. If there are no violations of the terms of its use on your part, then the state is ready to renew it for you many more times. The holder of a resident visa does not have the right to work in the United Arab Emirates, but he must have at least 10 thousand dirhams as a monthly income, which is approximately $2,700.
  • By opening a company in a free economic space, such as the United Arab Emirates, where there are no taxes and the legislative framework creates ideal conditions for doing business, you have the opportunity to obtain a resident visa. However, to invest in the country’s economy through entrepreneurship, you need at least 70 thousand dirhams, or 19 thousand dollars, and the investor has the right to work only in his own company. If you do not intend to purchase real estate in the United Arab Emirates, the cost of which is equal to or more than 270 thousand dollars, or you do not have the financial ability to run your own business in the country, you can get a work or student visa by getting a job at a local university or as an employee in a company.
  • Studying at a university in the Emirates opens the way to obtaining a residence permit, but for this you need to be fluent in English. When you enroll in an educational institution, you will be asked for your IELTS or TOEFL test results. It is worth noting that many higher education institutions allow you to start studying only after paying for the entire academic year, which, depending on the university, ranges from 5 to 10 thousand dollars. It is also worth mentioning that, having a student visa, a person does not have the right to work in the UAE.
  • A work visa for an individual is requested by a company officially registered in the United Arab Emirates, and if it is received, the emigrant has the right to work only in this company, and not in any other. Specialists who have confirmed their qualifications can apply for a work visa.

UAE Legislative Framework on Citizenship

The UAE adheres to similar principles in matters of nationality to other Gulf monarchies. Here they are reluctant to accept foreigners as citizens, especially those who belong to a different religion, have peculiarities of national identification, and adhere to foreign cultural norms and traditions.

Only persons of Arab origin, as well as citizens of other Gulf countries, can obtain citizenship in the UAE without any particular difficulties. For other people, strict selection limits and long-term naturalization are established.

Migration policy of the United Arab Emirates

State policy is aimed at minimizing the number of foreign citizens who can live in it on a permanent basis. Only natives of this land can obtain citizenship without any problems. We should not forget that the Emirates is an Islamic country, despite its very tolerant attitude towards representatives of other religions.

Obtaining citizenship in the UAE is regulated by Law No. 17, which was adopted during the formation of the state in 1972. Today, in this unique country of millionaires, the indigenous population constitutes a strong minority. More than half of all visitors are from India, followed by the Chinese, and only a quarter are from other nations of the world. Newcomers work, do business, develop mineral resources, but do not become citizens. In principle, they are doing well anyway. But the difference between the rights and benefits of a native Emirati citizen, who is a citizen of this state, and temporary or permanent migrants is simply enormous.


United Arab Emirates - an oasis that has emerged in the desert over the past decades

Methods and grounds for obtaining citizenship

The Emirates continues to remain one of the most closed countries when it comes to obtaining civil status. This is explained by Islamic traditions and the closed type of society that is characteristic of all Gulf states.

Quite original rules apply here. All foreigners can come here for permanent residence and work, but with a high degree of probability they will not be able to become a citizen of the UAE. The government does not intend to provide foreigners with the opportunity to enjoy benefits and benefits; they give the palm to indigenous residents.

You can become a citizen of the Emirates in only 4 ways: by birth, after passing the naturalization procedure, through marriage and for special merits.

By right of birth

If a newborn is born in the UAE, he will automatically receive citizenship of the country, but only on the condition that at least one of his parents is local, that is, a native resident. In the case when a baby is born into a family of foreign residents, he does not have the right to citizenship. Thus, it is impossible to give birth to a baby to obtain civil rights here.

The only exception is foundling children, for whom the identity of the parents cannot be determined. By taking care of an abandoned baby, the state provides him with everything he needs, including civil status.

If a child was born abroad, he automatically becomes a citizen, provided that one of the parents has UAE citizenship. In a situation where the birth takes place in a civil union, it will be necessary for the local father to officially recognize the newborn and record this in the form of an appropriate document. In fact, the child joins the father's clan on the basis of recognition.

Long-term residence or naturalization

The naturalization procedure is only available to persons of Arab origin. To become a full-fledged citizen of the Emirates, you need to live here for at least 7 years, not have problems with the law, and carefully comply with social and moral principles.

For citizens of the Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Qatar, Bahrain), the rules for naturalization are relaxed. To obtain status, they will need to live in the state for 3 years. The conditions will be the same: no offenses, permanent employment and source of income.

Marriage to a UAE resident

This method of obtaining civil status is available exclusively to women. There is a huge shortage of representatives of the fairer sex in the country, which is why the government allows citizenship to be issued upon marriage to a native resident.

Foreign men who are married to a resident of an Arab country will not be able to obtain citizenship. They have the right to rely solely on resident status. True, children born in such a marriage will be considered locals from the moment of birth.

However, before you decide to take such a step, you need to think carefully about everything. Women's rights in the Gulf countries are more reminiscent of medieval principles; a girl's life is limited exclusively to family and everyday life. It is also almost guaranteed that you will have to change your religion and get used to new traditions that are so unusual for most ladies.

Citizenship for special merits

Despite the fact that the legislative framework of the UAE provides for the possibility of obtaining citizenship for special services to the country, in practice there have been no real cases of registration of status for this reason.

The UAE continues to be one of the few states that does not grant citizenship even for huge investments. Foreigners here are forced to settle for resident status, which is perceived as a cross between an illegal immigrant and a citizen.

Ways to obtain citizenship

There are few ways to obtain UAE citizenship. These include:

  • marriage;
  • origin;
  • naturalization;
  • investments;
  • for outstanding scientists, doctors and inventors.

UAE Citizenship by Investment

  1. Investors must own large real estate properties in the UAE or obtain a development investment patent from the country's Ministry of Economy.
  2. The investment must be really large; you won’t be able to simply buy a small apartment; the minimum amount is not disclosed. Each case for large investors will be considered by the country's authorities on an individual basis.

Citizenship for doctors, scientists and inventors: amendments to the law in 2021

Citizenship can be granted to persons the country needs. Each case is considered separately by the authorities.

  1. Doctors and other highly qualified specialists must have the skills and work in an industry in which the country is in dire need of personnel. Must have at least 10 years of high-level work experience.
  2. Artists, musicians and other representatives of the arts must be laureates of famous international prizes, have awards in the field of science and art, and work in new directions.
  3. Scientists must have prestigious international awards, work and be actively engaged in scientific activities for at least 10 years.

Marriage

Obtaining citizenship through marriage is important for women.

wedding in the UAE
But just the conclusion of an alliance does not imply the approval of the authorities.

A foreigner must fulfill a number of conditions:

  • Renounce previous citizenship;
  • Live in any emirate for three years or more;
  • Apply for citizenship;
  • Obtain permission from the UAE Ministry of Interior and approval from all members of the spouse's family.

Thus, a wife will be able to obtain citizenship after three years of marriage.

The religion allows a Muslim man to marry only women who profess Islam, Christianity or Judaism. A foreign man who marries a local woman cannot become a citizen of the United Arab Emirates in this way.

By origin

Some experts joke that citizenship of the United Arab Emirates is inherited. The child of a local subject is considered a full Emirati.

birth in Dubai
Moreover, the country in which he was born does not matter. If there is no marriage between the parents, then the father is obliged to officially recognize the child. True, the privileges of a citizen in such cases are not always given.

In a situation where the mother is a citizen of the UAE and the father is unknown, the child is also automatically considered an Emirati citizen.

The birth of a child in the country does not give him any rights to automatically obtain citizenship. An exception is provided only for orphans.

Naturalization

Naturalization is the only effective way to become a citizen of the United Arab Emirates and obtain a passport. However, with strict restrictions on the right of birth and origin, only a few foreigners successfully complete all stages.

To obtain citizenship, immigrants from Arab countries must live in the UAE for at least seven years, citizens of other countries - 30 years. However, there are no guarantees of a positive outcome. Fulfillment of the conditions gives the right to apply for the rights of a full resident of the Emirates.

Loss and deprivation of citizenship: grounds

Given that it is extremely difficult to obtain official status in the UAE, you can lose citizenship very quickly. According to the rules approved in this state, loss or deprivation of citizenship is possible if the following grounds exist:

  • voluntary renunciation of status;
  • committing a serious crime. For locals, in most cases, this rule does not work, but for “new citizens” who received status by marriage or due to naturalization, a similar outcome is guaranteed;
  • absence from the UAE for more than 4 years;
  • obtaining citizenship of another country, dual citizenship is strictly prohibited;
  • joining the ranks of armed formations under the control of a foreign state. An exception is obtaining permission from the UAE government to perform military service abroad;
  • any actions classified as harmful to the security of the state.

It is also possible to lose your status and social position in a situation where, during checks, it is proven that citizenship was obtained illegally, for example, by falsifying documents or providing irrelevant and outright false information.

Loss of UAE citizenship

The country has a procedure for canceling status and confiscating a passport. This is possible in the following cases:

  • official entry into service in the armed forces of a foreign state without permission from the authorities;
  • acquiring a second citizenship, since bipatrism is strictly prohibited in the UAE;
  • violation of the naturalization procedure due to the fault of the applicant or government agencies;
  • concealment of important information when applying for citizenship; This usually concerns facts of crimes committed abroad.

UAE citizens have enormous advantages and benefits. However, it is almost impossible for a foreigner to obtain the desired status. In this regard, many immigrants remain in the country with resident status and simply renew it regularly according to the established procedure.

United Arab Emirates passport

Foreigners can apply for an Arab passport, but for them it will remain solely an identity document. The issuance of paper does not mean that a person will be able to enjoy the benefits and privileges of the indigenous population. Social guarantees and material support from the government will not be available to such people.

The only bonus for a foreigner who has received a UAE passport is the possibility of legal residence and employment, visa-free travel to many countries around the world.

It is worth noting that the government carefully selects candidates for obtaining a passport. For some nationalities, bans were initially established. For Russians, the chance to legalize their status will appear after 15 years of permanent residence in the UAE.

Migration policy of the country

UAE

The Emirates are conducting a large-scale social support program for their citizens:

  • newborns receive money into a bank account;
  • free medicine and education (including foreign);
  • tax benefits are provided;
  • pensions and benefits are paid, and so on.

In general, the native Emirates are almost all rich or well-to-do people. But only 25% of the population can claim this standard of living in the UAE in 2020. After all, everyone else is migrants. If they are given the opportunity to obtain citizenship, the government will no longer be able to implement such generous social policies.

Moreover, the authorities are rightly afraid of losing cultural and ethnic individuality. Therefore, to the question of whether it is possible to become a citizen, the answer will be: it is possible, but extremely difficult. In addition, resident status is temporary only formally, and its differences practically do not interfere with living and earning money in the Emirates.

What benefits does the status provide?

Let's look at the privileges that Emirati citizens have:

  • social guarantees, free medicine and education;
  • the right to occupy leadership positions;
  • a citizen’s salary is usually 2-3 times higher than the income of a migrant in a similar position;
  • visa-free regime with most countries of the world;
  • protection of the rights of compatriots abroad;
  • the right to buy land.

Additionally, citizens can participate in various government programs and receive bonuses for the birth of children and other important events in life.

Procedure for obtaining UAE citizenship

The process of obtaining official status in the Emirates is fraught with many difficulties associated with going through bureaucratic procedures. Before getting a chance to get a passport, a foreigner must live in the country for a long period of time, not have problems with local law enforcement agencies, and carefully observe the moral principles and traditions accepted here.

The procedure for obtaining citizenship is preceded by the issuance of a resident card, which is an identifying document. It confirms the legality of being in the country and allows you to officially find a job. Once the card is received, the person has the right to begin the process of preparing to apply for UAE citizenship:

  • an application written in English or Arabic is submitted to a government agency with a request to consider the possibility of acquiring citizenship;
  • government authorities initiate a thorough check of the candidate, study his biography, the reasons that he indicated as justification for the application;
  • the applicant prepares a package of accompanying documentation, undergoes fingerprinting, and submits biometrics;
  • the person is prescribed a mandatory medical examination. If he is found to have diseases listed as inadmissible, his application will be rejected.

After checking and considering all documents, a decision is made. It is often negative, since the government of the country does not intend to grant citizenship status to foreigners with different views on life, traditions and cultural characteristics.

Procedure for obtaining citizenship

To study the personality of an applicant for citizenship, a commission has been created under the UAE Ministry of Internal Affairs, where they check the applicant’s reputation and give approval. The process is unhurried in the Eastern style; the exact timing of consideration of candidates has not been established.

An applicant who meets the requirements and is approved applies to the typing bureau, where an application form will be prepared for him. After which you can issue a passport at the Registration Department by submitting a package of documents including:

  • application form;
  • national passport;
  • UAE ID card (issued when applying for a residence permit/permanent residence permit);
  • frontal photo (passport type);
  • original and copy of the house book (Family book);
  • receipt of payment of the fee (50 AED - regular tariff, 100 AED - urgent registration);
  • paid sticker for Emirates Post courier service.

Dirham exchange rate: 1 USD = 3.673 AED / 1 AED = 0.27 USD.

For urgent rates, processing will take 1 business day. As usual - during the working week. The UAE citizen's passport will be delivered by courier on the same or the next day after registration.

Video: moving to the Emirates, advice from experienced people

Dubai stores do not sell alcohol. The exception is specialized stores, of which there are about 15 throughout the city. To buy alcohol in such a store, you need a special license issued by the police. It costs about 2 thousand rubles a year and is issued without problems if you have a normal salary, you are not a Muslim and your employer has given you a letter stating that he does not mind if you drink alcohol.

Alexander Arkhipov

https://newslab.ru/article/583032

Obtaining citizenship by a Russian

For some nationalities, obtaining UAE citizenship is not possible. They can only work in the country while holding resident status. Russians are not included in this list, therefore they can claim civil status.

For our compatriots, there is a rule according to which they can receive a passport after 15 years of continuous residence in the Emirates. During this period, they must have a constant source of income and not violate local laws.

It is possible for a Russian citizen to obtain citizenship in the UAE. According to statistics, women from the Russian Federation who married a representative of the indigenous population have the greatest chances. For them, the procedure will take place in a short time, subject to compliance with all UAE migration requirements.

Is it possible for a foreigner to obtain UAE citizenship?

Why did the UAE make it easier to obtain citizenship?

The United Arab Emirates is one of the countries where obtaining citizenship is of great interest. There is not only a high quality of social security, but also a low crime rate and high wages.

An employee without higher education here can earn about 1,500 euros per month. With an existing diploma, the salary increases to 2000 euros. There is no income tax in the UAE, so a person is given the salary specified in the contract.

Obtaining citizenship for foreigners is difficult. It is necessary to show good command of the Arabic language, have a permanent source of income, and have no criminal record. He must renounce his previous citizenship and legally reside in the country for a long time.

To be naturalized, you must have lived in the UAE for 30 years. There are exceptions for residents of Arab countries. They only need to stay in the United Arab Emirates for seven years. Special concessions are made for immigrants from Bahrain, Oman and Qatar. They are required to live in the country for only three years.

Why did the UAE make it easier to obtain citizenship?

You can become a citizen through marriage. But these concessions are made only for foreign women. Residents of the UAE are prohibited from marrying a foreigner, so men cannot expect to marry them.

Men in the United Arab Emirates can marry foreign women. After marriage, a woman must obtain a residence permit and then live in the country for ten years. At the birth of a child, this period is reduced to seven years.

When obtaining citizenship, a woman is required to convert to Islam and have a good command of the Arabic language.

The fact of birth in the United Arab Emirates does not provide grounds for obtaining citizenship if one of the parents is not an Emirati.

Registration of visa permits

Entry into the state is carried out on the basis of a visa permit. You can get it at the country's diplomatic missions or at the airport.

If you are visiting the country for less than 30 days, you can obtain an entry permit from the migration officers at the airport. This procedure takes a minimum of time and does not require expenses. If necessary, the visa can be extended for a maximum of 30 days at an additional cost ($30-$140).

If you need to apply for a long-term visa (more than 30 days), you need to visit the consular service and submit a request for permission. After fulfilling all conditions, the applicant will receive permission to visit the state.

One of the most important conditions for opening a permit stamp is the validity period of the international passport. It is necessary that it contains blank sheets for stamping, and the validity period ends no later than 6 months from the date of completion of the visa permit.

Obtaining a residence permit

You can obtain a residence permit in the United Arab Emirates after receiving a visa to travel to the country. If you have a tourist paper, obtaining a long-term permit will be possible only in a situation where a foreigner has found an employer willing to hire him.

Holders of the following visas are entitled to a residence permit:

  • educational. Intended for students of local universities, valid for 60 days with the possibility of extension for the same period no more than 2 times. It is paid, you will have to pay about 600 dirhams for registration;
  • medical. Valid for 90 days with the possibility of a one-time extension for a similar period.

This also includes a resident visa. It happens with or without the right to work. The validity period is 3 years with the possibility of extension.

Obtaining a residence permit when purchasing real estate

A residence permit in the Emirates is a resident visa, which gives the right to legally stay in the country for at least 3 years. If a foreign national wants to initially obtain a long-term residence permit, he can invest in local real estate.

A residence permit for the purchase of housing is issued subject to a number of conditions:

  • the acquisition was made from a company that has a license to cooperate with foreigners;
  • the price of living space is at least 1 million dirhams, which corresponds to 270 thousand dollars;
  • sole full ownership of property;
  • availability of a permanent source of income in a minimum amount (about 10 thousand dirhams).

Please note that a residence permit for the purchase of housing does not provide employment opportunities. According to the internal policy of the state, a foreigner is required to travel outside the Emirates every 6 months.

Applying for citizenship

When applying for citizenship, you must contact the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs. It is this department that is responsible for the initial review of documents, acceptance of all certificates and verification of compliance with the migration rules of the Emirates.

Please note that the final decision is made personally by the ruler of the state, so the applicant faces a long waiting period (and with a high degree of probability a refusal will follow).

Where to apply: documents

To obtain temporary resident status at the UAE Ministry of Internal Affairs, you will need to submit a basic package of documentation, which consists of the following papers:

  • application of an approved sample;
  • a foreign passport with a validity period of at least 1 year;
  • birth certificate;
  • certificate of family composition;
  • photo of the approved format;
  • a document confirming a permanent source of income in the amount of at least 10 thousand dirhams;
  • medical insurance, the amount of which is at least 15 thousand dollars;
  • a document certifying the absence of a criminal record and open criminal prosecutions in the homeland;
  • information about the place of intended residence in the UAE (long-term lease agreement);
  • medical certificate issued by a local clinic.

If a person applies for a long-term residence permit and intends to become a citizen of Dubai, then the following papers will be added to the basic package of documents:

  • confirmation of the loyalty and law-abidingness of the applicant, issued by the Main Police Department of the country;
  • special permission from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (for the fair sex);
  • a certificate confirming the absence of offenses in the UAE;
  • national passport in which the visa is affixed;
  • no debt to the Emirates budget, confirmation of payment of all duties.

All documentation provided to migration authorities must be translated into English or Arabic and certified by a notary in the country.

In what cases can they refuse?

A foreign citizen intending to obtain status in the UAE will face complex procedures and checks. Initially, it is worth saying that a number of nationalities are not considered as applicants for a passport. Thus, residents of China and India, Pakistan, Israel, as well as persons belonging to African-American culture, Jews and Filipinos cannot rise above the status of resident.

A refusal can be issued for any reason, be it the presence of errors in the document, the absence of any papers, or failure to pass the citizenship test. It is impossible to challenge a refusal. The only way out is to try to apply again, collect the necessary documentation and wait a long time. The advantage here is that there are no costs for applicants to go through bureaucratic procedures.

How to obtain UAE citizenship for a citizen of Russia and other countries: reasons

The Emirates is a country for its natives who were lucky enough to be born in this small territory. This is why UAE citizenship has become such a tasty morsel for many. There are few grounds for obtaining citizenship. To become a subject, you must:

  • be born into a family of Emirati citizens;
  • marry a citizen of this state;
  • pass the residency requirement and become naturalized;
  • obtain citizenship as an exception for special merits.

Birthright

Neither Russians nor Ukrainians will be lucky enough to be born on the soil of the United Arab Emirates. Therefore, we will consider this method optionally.

A child born to a UAE national after 01/01/1972 automatically receives citizenship, regardless of his country of birth. If the parents are not legally married, then Islamic law obliges the father to recognize his child by officially declaring paternity. If only the child’s mother has UAE citizenship, and the father’s citizenship remains unknown (as does the father himself), then the child becomes a citizen of the Emirates. For a Muslim woman, giving birth to a child whose father is unknown is a terrible shame. But cases are different.


The easiest way to become a UAE citizen is to be born in this country

To understand the structure of the UAE, here is a little information: al-Imarat al-Arabiya al-Muttahida (the name of the country in Arabic) consists of seven emirates. Each emirate individually is an absolute monarchy. The state is federal, it is ruled by a president who is also the emir of Abu Dhabi (the largest of the emirates). The head of government is the emir of the second largest emirate, Dubai. The state religion is Sunni Islam. The official language is Arabic. In terms of GDP per capita, the UAE is in fifth place in the world - 71,638 US dollars.

The birth of a child in the Emirates does not give him any chance of citizenship if his parents are foreign nationals. Even the fact that they have resident status does not change the situation.

Those born before the beginning of 1972 have long automatically become citizens of the UAE.

The adoption of a foreign child by Emirati citizens gives him the right to citizenship. But this is an extremely rare case in the Emirates; moreover, in order for adoption to be approved, the child must profess Islam and have Arab blood.

An orphan who is found within the country's borders also becomes a citizen and becomes a ward of the state.

The apartments the company put us in are luxurious, new furniture, new household appliances, kitchen utensils, everything is in the best possible shape, the rooms are huge, bright, clean. Sharjah itself, as we joke, is a suburb of the city of Delhi, in the malls there are Indian goods, Indian eateries all around, of course there are also a lot of Filipinos, Nepalese, Pakistanis, Syrians and our compatriots, since rental prices here are more affordable than in Dubai. Everyone, of course, speaks English, although sometimes it is difficult to understand, since most have very harsh accents.

Ksenia Seravimovit4

https://forum.awd.ru/viewtopic.php?t=173788

Long-term residence or naturalization

In practice, this is the only available way to obtain a UAE passport. In order to be eligible to apply for citizenship, people from the Russian Federation or Ukraine must have lived legally in the Emirates for at least 30 years. But even in this case, they have no guarantee of obtaining citizenship.

People from Arab countries who profess Islam and meet the material qualifications can apply for citizenship after seven years. Citizens of neighboring Bahrain. In Qatar and Oman, to submit an application for citizenship, it is enough to live as a permanent resident of the UAE for only three years. Provided that they have held citizenship of their countries for at least 20 years or have lived as a resident for more than 25 years. However, both Slavs and Arabs, subject to the above conditions, only have the right to apply for UAE citizenship.


The UAE is a country where the official religion is Sunni Islam

The average salary of a civil servant in the UAE is $10 thousand. A young specialist who has just graduated from a university can count on 6–8 thousand. During your working life, not only your qualifications, but also your income constantly grows. So, for example, before retirement, your salary can be about 100 thousand USD.

You can cross the UAE border with a tourist, work, visitor, student visa or other type of entry permit. But obtaining a residence permit is much more problematic. The basis for obtaining temporary resident status may be the acquisition of real estate on the territory of the state or the employment of an immigrant within its borders. Family members of the owner of Arab real estate are also entitled to residency status.

In the United Arab Emirates, only one in five is indigenous. The population of eight million is made up of 20% natives and 80% visitors who work hard for them. It is relatively easy for a man to obtain resident status if he is employed in the Emirates. We are, of course, not talking about high-rise builders or masons. Only managers of large companies, hotel and restaurant managers, engineers, designers, scientists, and university teachers can become residents. We are talking about highly qualified specialists. However, they will not be able to become UAE citizens until after 30 years. A residence permit is issued for three years and subsequently requires renewal for the same period.


Emirati society is extremely conservative

How to obtain citizenship through marriage

Men should not hope to find a “diamond widow” so that by marrying her they can become a citizen of a country of millionaires. Islamic law prohibits Muslim women from marrying infidels. Only women can use this method. And exclusively Muslim women. Islamic law does not prohibit marrying infidels. But after getting married, a woman is obliged to convert to Islam. This is not a law, but a rule that requires compliance to maintain the husband's reputation in Islamic society.

Marrying an UAE national is incredibly difficult. First you need to meet a candidate for husband. It should be noted that eligible Arab bachelors don’t just wander the streets. They don’t rush along the roads in expensive Lexuses and Lamborghinis, and don’t go to bars and discos. You can meet the prince of your dreams in a mosque or at your workplace. But in both cases, you simply cannot approach the eligible groom. A woman’s entry into a mosque can be regarded as an insult to faith, and it is unlikely that it will be possible to get to know each other better at work, since it is unlikely that a manager will condescend to communicate closely with a subordinate, and even a foreign woman.

The society of the United Arab Emirates is extremely closed and conservative, like the country itself. The cult of family is unusually developed. The role of the head of the family is performed by the eldest of the men. His word is law for all other family members.

Traditionally, marriages here are concluded by agreement between clans, and this tradition is thousands of years old. First, the parents of the future couple enter into an agreement, and only later the bride and groom are presented with a fait accompli. Especially the bride, who, in principle, has no right to choose.

But if you really want to, you can still marry a UAE citizen. There are, for example, foreign universities where children of Arab sheikhs study or in other ways. What will marriage give in this case?


If you're lucky, you can marry an Emirati citizen, have children and then become a citizen

It is necessary that the marriage be approved by the state and, of course, by the groom’s relatives. We should not forget that Islam allows the presence of four official wives, and the divorce procedure looks very simple, while children legally remain with their father. Next, the foreign spouse will need to renounce her current citizenship. The laws of the Emirates do not allow the existence of a second nationality. If you are married to a UAE citizen, you must live for at least 15 years in any of the emirates and give birth to children. After this, you have the right to apply for citizenship. Approval from the Ministry of Internal Affairs will also be required. If the resolution of the Ministry of Internal Affairs stands, then you can prepare to receive a UAE passport. The laws of the country do not provide for any additional conditions, for example, passing language tests or determining the degree of integration into society.

By the way, there were often cases when visiting women (including Slavs) took advantage of marriage to obtain Arab citizenship. Even spitting on children, by the way, since during a divorce the child remains with the father. Previously, to become a UAE citizen, a woman had to be married for three years and give birth to one child. But, since there were frequent cases of such fraud, the UAE government introduced new conditions: 15 years married and 5 children. Let me remind you that during a divorce, the ex-husband supports his ex-wife until she gets married again. If it never comes out, it will support her until the end of her days.

elbior

https://pora-valit.livejournal.com/1248449.html

In addition to those described above, there are additional complications of this method. They are rather subjective, but they still exist. For example, a woman under 30 may not be allowed into the country without being accompanied by her husband or close relative, and their last names must be the same. A foreign woman can only dream of obtaining a residence permit, especially if she is Orthodox. And so on…


Only one in five is indigenous to the country

Special cases

Citizenship of the United Arab Emirates can be obtained for special services to the country. Any of the emirs can make a request for citizenship by contacting the president. The issue is resolved only at the federal level. UAE citizenship can be granted to outstanding scientists, athletes who brought gold medals to the country at the Olympics, foreign politicians and simply good friends of the sheikhs. That’s why there are as many as seven monarchs in the Emirates, not to mention multiple members of royal families.

When I first flew to the United Arab Emirates, I was immediately struck by the fact that during my entire stay in the country, I saw only one working Arab and he was at passport control at Dubai airport. Everyone else who works in hotels, shops, on the streets, in local companies is almost 100% visitors. Moreover, it is the “newcomers” - I cannot call them immigrants. This is due to the country’s immigration policy: the UAE in every possible way attracts visitors from other countries to work, but no matter how many years you work in the country, no matter how much you know the local culture, customs and even language, a visitor will never become “one of us” here - he as he was and will remain a labor migrant, who at any time can be expelled from the country at his place of citizenship. You can only obtain UAE citizenship by marrying a local Arab (UAE citizen), and then only after a few years.

Alexander

https://wwworld.livejournal.com/290373.html

Obtaining a UAE resident passport

A resident passport is an official document identifying the identity of a foreign citizen. In his case, he will not give rights to social and financial guarantees intended for the indigenous population.

You can obtain a UAE passport by applying to the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs, providing a package of documentary support, subject to careful compliance with all legal requirements.

Rating
( 2 ratings, average 4.5 out of 5 )
Did you like the article? Share with friends: