UAE to Grant Citizenship to Investors, Professionals and Special Talents

The latest development in the recent line of announcements at the Federal National Council aims at amending the Executive Regulation of the Federal Law to grant citizenship and passports to professionals, investors, select expats and their families.

The incumbent UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid on Saturday has given the nod to grant Emirati nationality to foreign investors, scientists, doctors and specialized talents alike in a historic three-pronged objective of embracing the naturalization of the country’s emigrants, ensuring their social welfare and correspondingly, boosting the overall national development process. In addition to the issuance of citizenship to the families — the spouse and children of professionals falling under this specialized category — the law also provisions them to retain their existing citizenship. The introduction of this law is expected to bade well for professionals looking to effectuate new business setup in Dubai. This is a major advancement towards protecting the inclusion of dual citizenship, as opposed to the antecedent law which does not exhibit provisions to support dual citizenship.

Categorical Requirements 

However, the new clause is not without certain conditions. The law has unequivocally delineated the following conditions for the corresponding categories:

Investors

• The new law aids only those investors who own a property in the UAE.

Doctors and Skilled Professionals

• Individuals falling under this category must possess a specialized skill in a unique scientific field that promises significant contribution to the development of the country.
• Must have erstwhile contributed to studies and research in their respective scientific field.
• Must hold no less than 10 years of experience in their field and be an active member of a prestigious organization in their field.

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Scientists 

• Must be an active contributor to research and studies at a university, private sector or research institute.
• Hold an experience of 10 years in their field of study.
• Must be a consummate professional in their field. I.e., Must have accomplished things such as have a patent to their name, or won a prestigious award, or secured a sizeable fund for their research for 10 years. This is in addition to a letter of recommendation from a recognized university in the UAE.

Inventors

• It is mandatory to have at least one patent certified by the UAE Ministry of Economy or any other globally-recognized international body.
• Must hold a letter of recommendation from the Ministry of Economy, UAE.

Intelligentsia

• Must be the frontier settlers in the fields of culture, arts or other talents that have been bestowed with at least one international award.
• Must hold a letter of recommendation from the relevant UAE entities.

Terms and Conditions

The new law declares that the beneficiaries of this amendment adhere to the various terms and conditions, videlicet, taking a pledge to uphold and fully respect the laws and governance of the country, taking an oath of allegiance to the UAE and protecting it, apprising the relevant authorities if they receive their new citizenship or lose one, etc.

The law also dictates the freedom of its beneficiaries to own land and real estate property in the country and carry out business setup in Dubai. This is in addendum to any and all other rights offered to them by the federal entities, with the permission of the cabinet or the local government bodies.

The decision also promulgated that the UAE Citizenship of the beneficiary will be abrogated in case of violation of the legal commitment or failure to comply with one or more of the stated conditions.

Structure 

The new law amends Emirati Nationality Law No. 17 of 1972 on Nationality and passports to extend nationality to qualified professionals, who will be nominated through the Emirates’ rulers court, the executive council in the cabinet and the courts of the crown princes.

This move marks a milestone in the Arab world, which has invariably maintained a rigid naturalization process. The UAE stands at the helm of gulf countries in ensuring social stability to those immigrants who have a long-time residency in the country and who generally contribute significantly to the development of the society.

Grab this Opportune Moment 

The introduction of the recent laws is gradually revolutionizing the business landscape of UAE and germinating newer opportunities, especially to professionals who are looking to effectuate new business setup in Dubai. It is common knowledge that UAE saw the establishment of more than half a million new businesses in 2019 alone. The GDP of UAE is expected to rise by another 4% this year; so indubitably, UAE will continue to witness the proliferation of more businesses as people continue to actively carry out business setup in Dubai.

You too can be part of this monumental movement. Put your mind at ease by reaching out to Cross Link International for your new business setup. We specialize in business setup and company formation in the UAE. You can rest while we procure all the necessary permits required for a new business setup in Dubai. Call us on +971 4 321 6631 / +971 55 744 6445 or fill up this form for a callback!