How to obtain UAE citizenship by marriage in 2023?

This article from the Dubai Home website provides comprehensive and valuable information about obtaining UAE citizenship through marriage.

According to some estimations, as many as 84% of people in the United Arab Emirates originate outside of the country. The United Arab Emirates is a prosperous country that offers good opportunities for foreigners to pursue careers and live in an environment of high standards.

Rich natural resource bases, as well as a major international airport in the Emirate of Dubai, are just some of the reasons expats choose to make the UAE their home. If you plan to live there for the long run, you might even consider becoming a citizen of the UAE.

A foreigner who wants to claim Emirati citizenship must live in the UAE for a while if they weren’t born there. Otherwise, they can get UAE citizenship by marriage. While only a small percentage of UAE residents are citizens, citizenship has some perks, like government benefits and tax breaks.

If you are starting out on the application process for an EXPAT work visa in the UAE or you are an expat already living there, it would be beneficial for you to know what your options are when it comes to applying for permanent UAE citizenship the moment you get your EXPAT work viewership.

Permanent citizenship vs. permanent residence: what’s the difference?

The UAE citizens have different rights (and responsibilities) compared to migrants who hold permanent residence. Citizens of the United Arab Emirates, for instance, have access to free healthcare and educational opportunities, as well as financial support and allowances for housing so they can raise their children and cover marriage costs.

There is a lot of talk about Emirati citizens getting better treatment, greater access to jobs in the region, and more competitive salaries than some expats. However, it must be noted that these benefits may not necessarily apply to naturalized citizens with non-family histories in the UAE.

What are the benefits of being a UAE citizen?

•  There is a stable economy in the country.
• A number of the most famous cities in the UAE, such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Al Ain offer a variety of job opportunities, which is one of the reasons why people come from all over the world to the UAE.
• There is a growing community of expats in the country.
• The education and healthcare infrastructure of the UAE is of a world-class standard.
• Living standards and salaries are high.
• Living costs aren’t too high here.
• You can own a business or work for a public institution. If you get 20 years of work experience, you can retire at 49 years old.
• In the Global Passport Index, UAE is ranked 22nd based on a variety of variables such as enhanced mobility, investment index, and quality of life-based on various factors.
• For investment opportunities, the UAE passport is one of the strongest.
• During the application process for UAE citizenship, you can include family members.
• With a United Arab Emirates passport, you can travel visa-free to a wide range of different countries all around the globe with your passport.

What are the requirements to become a UAE citizen?

It is difficult for any foreigner to become an Emirati citizen, and the likelihood of you being able to become an Emirati citizen will depend on a variety of factors and circumstances.

There may be differences in the process adopted by different emirates. You will also have different options depending on the type of work you do and the type of employer you have.

To confirm your options and select the best route, it will be good to speak with a local immigration lawyer.

The UAE automatically makes you a citizen if you were born there to unknown parents, an Emirati dad, or an Emirati mother and an unknown dad. If you marry an Emirati or meet the residency requirements, you can get citizenship.

On the other hand, there is a lengthy wait for an application to be considered because of the requirement related to residence (up to 30 years).

To be eligible to apply for UAE citizenship by marriage, you must comply with specific general requirements to be considered, including speaking Arabic, being legally employed in the Emirates, and possessing good character. 

The application process for UAE citizenship is managed by individual Emirates. The final decision rests with the appropriate authorities in each Emirate – so make sure the information you provide matches the details of the Emirate in which you currently reside.

Different ways to obtain UAE citizenship

The UAE citizenship application process depends on your personal situation – you may not always be able to apply. 

There are some discretionary powers that are exercised by the UAE authorities to provide citizenship to foreigners who have made a significant contribution to the region, but the primary way you can become a UAE citizen remains through your birthplace.

Generally, if you cannot claim citizenship through one of the routes, then your best option is to apply for naturalization based on your residence. It is important to know that this program has a long waiting period before your application can be considered. You will need to live and work continuously in the UAE for up to 30 years.

We strongly recommend that you seek the advice of an immigration lawyer if you are interested in learning more about the options available to you for becoming a UAE citizen.

There are different ways to get UAE citizenship, but in this article, we will focus on UAE citizenship by marriage.

How to apply for UAE citizenship

You must apply for UAE citizenship through the UAE authority in the Emirate you live in. You can find some application forms online, but you will most likely still have to attend meetings in person.

The immigration rules are very complex, so you may want to consult a local immigration attorney or specialist to ensure that your application is handled correctly for the best results.

What’s the process for getting UAE citizenship?

It’s not a set process to get UAE citizenship, but there are specific requirements an individual has to meet.

You’ve got to review your application first

Each candidate is independently evaluated by a central advisory committee and sub-committee appointed by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.

The second step is pre-approval

The subcommittees review all data submitted and filter out the eligible applicants to become citizens and meet the eligibility conditions.

Your application gets approved in the third step

The citizenship application will be verified and approved, after which it will be passed on for verification and approval to the advisory committee, which consists of a representative from each Emirate for the final decision.

Certain conditions might prevent you from becoming a UAE citizen, even if you meet all the eligibility requirements. Final decisions are made by the Executive Council, the Rulers, Crown Princes’ Courts, and the Cabinet.

Another option if you do not qualify for citizenship in the UAE is acquiring the UAE Golden Visa. With the UAE Golden Visa, you can get a residency permit in the country and work there. You can also include family members in your application under the Golden Visa program.

Obtaining UAE citizenship by marriage

When a foreign national marries an Emirati, that person has the right to become an Emirati citizen, provided the marriage lasts for at least three years. At this point, the foreigner is usually naturalized as an Emirati citizen after 10 years or so of living in the country (instead of the usual 30-year wait).

A person who divorces and marries someone outside of the UAE will lose their citizenship if their marriage results in a divorce.

A UAE national of any gender must get the court’s permission to marry a foreigner. The said foreigner must already have a UAE residence visa and a clean medical and criminal record. 

In the UAE, it is neither a religious issue nor a problem of the age difference between the two parties to the marriage. As long as both parties agree, it is possible to marry a non-Muslim in the UAE without any problems. 

Foreign men who marry Emirati women will not be granted UAE citizenship by marriage based on their marriage. Foreign women who marry Emirati men may, however, receive UAE citizenship by marriage as follows: 

• in 7 years if they have a child together; 
• In 10 years if they don’t have any children.

UAE citizenship by marriage fees and costs

You’re application fees are determined by the local Emirate where you are making the application. If you hire an agent to assist you through the process, you can also expect to receive a bill for the service. If you need any documents to be translated or certified as part of your application, you will need to pay for that service as well.  

A bank may overcharge you for international money transfers to pay for your costs, using a poor exchange rate and adding administration fees to the transaction. 

The best option, if you have a UAE bank account or know someone with one, would be to use Transferwise, which will process your transfer at the real exchange rate for a transparent, transparent fee.

Frequently Asked Questions about UAE citizenship by marriage?