How to Get United Arab Emirates CitizenshipKey facts
- Residence for naturalisation
- 30 years
- Language
- Required, no test
- Dual citizenship
- Not accepted
- Civic test
- No civic knowledge requirement
- Criminal record
- A criminal record or good character condition applies
- Income condition
- Income or economic resources must be shown
- Dual citizenship in detail
- Not acceptedNew citizens must give up their previous citizenship.Authorities can withdraw citizenship from citizens who naturalise abroad.
- Available routes
- Region
- Asia
- Law in force as of
- 1 January 2024
- Last checked
- Not yet checked by our team
The rule text in the sections below was coded for the law on 1 January 2024. A November 2026 search found no later change for this country, but this has not been verified.
Naturalisation (residence)
For foreign nationals living in the United Arab Emirates, this is the ordinary route based on residence. Authorities retain discretion and may refuse an application even when the conditions are met.
- Residence
- 30 years
Person has been resident in the UAE for at least 30 years if non-Arab and three or seven years if Arab (lawful and continuous residence in UAE).
- Previous citizenship
- New citizens must give up their previous citizenship
Renunciation of original citizenship required. Exception made to naturalised citizens based on UAE 9 bis (see the rules for special achievements/the rules for investments).
- Language
- Required, no test or certificate specified
Proficiency in Arabic required.
- Civic knowledge
- No civic knowledge requirement
Person must have sworn an oath of allegiance.
- Criminal record
- A criminal record or good character condition applies
Person must have good character, not convicted for crimes of dishonour (unless person has been rehabilitated), obtained security approval.
- Income or economic resources
- Income or economic resources must be shown
Legitimate means of income, educational qualification required.
Marriage or civil partnership
For spouses of citizens of the United Arab Emirates, the rules below set out what this route requires. Authorities retain discretion and may refuse an application even when the conditions are met.
Person is the wife of a male citizen and the couple have been married for at least 10 years (reduced to 7 years if couple has children). Other conditions: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation (exemption may be granted from educational qualification requirement).
Descent (citizen parent)
This route covers children of a citizen of the United Arab Emirates, subject to the conditions below.
Descent (born in country)
Person is born in the UAE to a male citizen, or to a female citizen and the father is unknown or stateless; Person is born to a female citizen who is married to a foreign citizen. Citizenship can be acquired six years after the date of birth, and only if the mother had citizenship during the period from the date of birth until the date of submission of the request.
Descent (born abroad)
Person is born in the UAE to a male citizen, or to a female citizen and the father is unknown or stateless; Person is born to a female citizen who is married to a foreign citizen. Citizenship can be acquired six years after the date of birth, and only if the mother had citizenship during the period from the date of birth until the date of submission of the request.
Child of a new citizen
A parent acquiring citizenship of the United Arab Emirates is the basis of this route. The law of the United Arab Emirates confers citizenship automatically, independent of any administrative decision.
No conditions given.
Other family members of citizens
A family tie to a citizen, former citizen or new citizen of the United Arab Emirates is the basis of this route. Authorities retain discretion and may refuse an application even when the conditions are met.
Person is the wife of someone who is acquiring citizenship and provided she renounces her original citizenship. Condition of renunciation of original citizenship is excempt if her husband is a naturalised citizen according to the rules for investments.
Former citizens (reacquisition)
Earlier citizenship of the United Arab Emirates is the basis of this route. Authorities retain discretion and may refuse an application even when the conditions are met.
Person had obtained a foreign citizenship and has meanwhile renounced that citizenship. A minor who lost citizenship may regain it after reaching the age of majority.
Citizens of specific countries
This route covers citizens of certain other countries, subject to the conditions below. The law of the United Arab Emirates confers citizenship automatically, independent of any administrative decision.
Person is an Arab of Omani, Qatari or Bahraini origin and s/he has been resident in the UAE legally and continuously for more than 3 years immediately preceding his/her application for citizenship. Other conditions: legal means of living, good conduct, and not been convicted for a crime that impugns integrity.
Stateless persons
For people without any citizenship, the rules below show what the law of the United Arab Emirates provides. The law of the United Arab Emirates confers citizenship automatically, independent of any administrative decision.
Person is born in the UAE to unknown parents.
Special achievements
This route covers people recognised for special achievements or for contributions to the United Arab Emirates, subject to the conditions below. Authorities retain discretion and may refuse an application even when the conditions are met.
Person has special skills. No residence requirement. Other requirements: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation.
Investment
For applicants making a qualifying investment in the United Arab Emirates, the rules below set out what applies. Authorities retain discretion and may refuse an application even when the conditions are met.
Person is investor, businessman, highly skilled worker or exceptionally talented. Person an be exempt from some or all conditions for naturalisation (the rules for ordinary naturalisation), including renunciation of original citizenship.
Not available in the United Arab Emirates: Birth in the country, Adoption, Ethnic or cultural affinity, Residence during childhood, Very long residence, Refugees, Public or military service. Based on the GLOBALCIT coding of the law, updated with in-force changes.
Dual citizenship
The United Arab Emirates does not generally accept dual citizenship.
- New citizens
- New citizens must give up their previous citizenship
- Citizens who naturalise abroad
- Authorities can withdraw citizenship from citizens who naturalise abroad
Person acquires citizenship of a foreign country.
Compare with neighbours
Under the law of the United Arab Emirates, 30 years applies, exceeding the usual 5 years found across Western Asia.
Compare United Arab Emirates with all countries in the residence ranking
| Country | Residence | Language | Dual citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
 Bahrain | 25 years | Required, no test | New citizens only |
 Cyprus | 8 years | Test or certificate | Accepted |
 Georgia | 10 years | Required, no test | Not accepted |
 Iraq | 10 years | None | Accepted |
 Oman | 20 years | Required, no test | Not accepted |
 Qatar | 25 years | Required, no test | Not accepted |
Official sources
This page was located by search and has not yet been checked by our team.
Naturalisation provisions: Nationality law: Art. 5-8, 11, 12bis.
Cite this page
TravelDecl. (n.d.). How to Get United Arab Emirates Citizenship. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://traveldecl.com/citizenship/united-arab-emirates/
<a href="https://traveldecl.com/citizenship/united-arab-emirates/">How to Get United Arab Emirates Citizenship</a> (TravelDecl, retrieved 5 November 2026)
Sources and licence
Vink, van der Baaren, Bauböck, Džankić, Honohan, Manby (2025). GLOBALCIT Citizenship Law Dataset v3.1. Global Citizenship Observatory, https://hdl.handle.net/1814/73190. CC BY 4.0. Modified by TravelDecl.
Modified by TravelDecl: updated with changes after 1 January 2024.
GLOBALCIT codes the law as written. Fees, processing times, quotas and how officials apply the rules in practice are not in this dataset: check them with the official authority.
FAQ
How many years to become an Emirati citizen?
30 years of residence is required for ordinary naturalisation in the United Arab Emirates, plus further conditions.
Does the United Arab Emirates allow dual citizenship?
Generally no. The law of the United Arab Emirates does not accept dual citizenship in either direction.
Do I need a language test for Emirati citizenship?
Language ability is required for Emirati citizenship, though no test or certificate is specified.
Is there a civic knowledge test for Emirati citizenship?
Applicants for Emirati citizenship are not asked to demonstrate civic knowledge.
Do I have to give up my current citizenship to get Emirati citizenship?
Yes, you must give up your current citizenship to get Emirati citizenship.
Can I get United Arab Emirates citizenship by marriage?
Yes, the law of the United Arab Emirates has a route for spouses. Procedure: discretionary.
Can I get United Arab Emirates citizenship by descent?
Yes. A child of a citizen can acquire citizenship of the United Arab Emirates by descent. Procedure: automatic, discretionary.
Can I get United Arab Emirates citizenship by investment?
An investment route is coded for the United Arab Emirates. Confirm the current terms with the official authority.
Related pages
Also see: United Arab Emirates passport, visa-free access and entry rules. Latest law changes.
Corrections to this page are handled by Sarah Kim, Fact-Checker.