Complete Guide to Getting a UAE Passport

Published on May 4, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Speaking of a “passport to the country in the United Arab Emirates” is really talking about an extremely ambitious goal: becoming an Emirati citizen in order to then apply for the precious navy-blue passport of the United Arab Emirates. This document is only issued to nationals, and access to citizenship remains among the most selective in the world.

Good to know:

The Emirati passport offers visa-free or facilitated access to nearly 180 countries, along with exceptional social, economic, and tax benefits. However, the procedure to obtain it is strictly regulated, highly selective, and subject to precise rules.

This guide provides a clear and structured overview of everything you need to know to understand how, concretely, one can hope to obtain this passport: the difference between residency and citizenship, legal pathways, roles of the Golden Visa, procedures, conditions, associated rights, as well as illusions to dismiss from the start.

Residency, citizenship, and passport: making the distinction clear

Before diving into the details, it is essential to distinguish three often-confused concepts: residency, citizenship, and passport.

Attention:

In the United Arab Emirates, the various residence permits (work, family, investor, Golden Visa, Green Visa, retirement visas) allow you to live, work, or invest, sometimes for 5 or 10 renewable years. However, none of these statuses, even after decades, automatically grant citizenship or an Emirati passport.

Citizenship, then, is full and complete belonging to the state. As an Emirati citizen, you benefit from diplomatic protection, the right to vote in certain bodies, priority access to public sector jobs, full property ownership without zone restrictions, and, most importantly, the right to hold the Emirati passport. This status is in principle permanent, but it can be revoked in cases of fraud or serious breach of national security.

The passport is merely the material expression of citizenship. It is issued exclusively to nationals. You do not obtain an Emirati passport like a visa: you first acquire nationality, then submit a passport application, just like any other citizen.

Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)

This distinction is crucial because many long-term foreign residents mistakenly believe that a lengthy stay, real estate ownership, or a Golden Visa will logically open the door to citizenship. The Emirati legal framework is very clear: that is not the case.

The legal framework of Emirati citizenship

Nationality in the United Arab Emirates is primarily governed by Federal Law No. 17 of 1972 on nationality and passports, amended several times, notably in 1975, 2017, and most importantly in 2021. These reforms clarified the conditions for transmission by descent, opened new naturalization possibilities for certain foreigners, and introduced a major innovation: the possibility of dual nationality for a few carefully selected categories.

Good to know:

Naturalization in the United Arab Emirates is administered by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) in coordination with the Rulers’ and Crown Princes’ Courts of each emirate, the Executive Councils, and the Cabinet. It is crucial to note that naturalization is never an enforceable right: even if a candidate meets all legal conditions, the final decision remains discretionary and rests with the highest political authorities.

The official message is consistent: there is no classic “citizenship by investment” program in the UAE that guarantees nationality in exchange for a check. There are indeed pathways for investors or exceptional talents, but they are based on nomination and merit, not automatic payment.

The main pathways to citizenship (and thus to the passport)

In practice, the pathways to Emirati citizenship can be grouped into four main tracks: by descent, by marriage, by long-term naturalization, and by exceptional merit. Alongside these, a few specific cases (restoration of nationality, families established before 1925) remain very marginal.

Descent: the natural path… reserved for Emirati families

The Emirati system is based on jus sanguinis, or “right of blood.” A child does not obtain nationality because they are born on the country’s soil, but because they descend from an Emirati parent.

The simplest rule concerns children born to an Emirati father. Whether born in the UAE or abroad, they automatically acquire nationality, provided they are registered in the family register (the so-called Kholasat al-qaid). These children can later apply for an Emirati passport like any other citizen.

The situation is more nuanced for children of an Emirati mother and a foreign father. For a long time, they did not have the same rights. Recent reforms now allow, in certain cases, access to citizenship: for example, when the father is stateless, unknown, or paternity is not legally established. Since 2017, a child of an Emirati mother and a foreign father can also, under conditions (residency, good conduct, mastery of Arabic, minimum age of about six years), apply for nationality. This is not automatic: it is a full procedure, assessed case by case.

Example:

Emirati legislation provides for special cases of citizenship attribution. For instance, abandoned children of unknown parents found on the territory are presumed to be citizens. Similarly, descendants of Arab families settled in the territory before 1925 and remaining continuously until 1972 may also claim nationality. These scenarios, rooted in the country’s internal history, however, do not constitute a realistic path for a modern expatriate wishing to acquire citizenship.

Marriage: a limited and highly regulated opening

Many foreigners wonder about the possibility of obtaining nationality – and therefore the passport – through marriage. Emirati law does provide a mechanism, but it is extremely restrictive and asymmetric.

A foreign woman married to an Emirati citizen may, under certain conditions, apply for naturalization. The marriage must be legally registered, stable, and continuous: at least seven years of marriage if there are children, ten years if there are none. The applicant must have resided continuously in the country, have a clean criminal record, and demonstrate genuine integration into local society and culture (notably through language and respect for traditions).

Even in this case, nationality is not automatic: a file is processed by the ICP, investigations are conducted, and the final decision again rests with the authorities.

Conversely, a foreign man married to an Emirati woman has no specific right to naturalization through this route. Marriage allows obtaining or maintaining a residence permit, but not claiming the passport.

Furthermore, for an Emirati man to marry a foreign woman, judicial authorization is required, and the future wife must normally already hold a residence visa, a medical certificate, and a clean record. The state thus maintains tight control over mixed marriages, seen not only as private acts but also as choices impacting the country’s demographic structure.

Long-term naturalization: 30 years of residency… without guarantee

The traditional naturalization path for a foreigner with no family ties to Emiratis is based on length of residency. In its classic version, the law requires approximately 30 years of legal, continuous, and uninterrupted stay in the country, including at least 20 years after 1972. Some categories of Arabs may benefit from reduced periods (e.g., three years for certain Gulf nationals, seven years for others), but for the majority of expatriates, the 30-year threshold remains the benchmark.

In addition to this longevity, several conditions apply:

– Genuine integration: mastery of the Arabic language, adoption of local values and social norms;

– Impeccable conduct: no criminal record, good reputation, no threat to state security;

– A healthy economic situation: lawful income, financial stability;

– Often, academic qualifications, except for spouses of citizens, for whom this requirement may be waived.

Even meeting these criteria, there is no “right” to nationality. Naturalization requires a high-level political decision, often formalized by a presidential decree. In practice, cases of naturalization based solely on 30 years of residency are extremely rare and remain the exception.

Exceptional merit: a new door opened in 2021

The major development in recent years is the opening of a citizenship pathway reserved for profiles deemed strategic for the country’s development: major investors, high-level scientists, medical specialists, inventors, internationally renowned artists, top entrepreneurs, talents in digital technologies, elite students and graduates, “frontline heroes,” or humanitarian pioneers.

Good to know:

The merit-based citizenship pathway in the United Arab Emirates does not allow a foreigner to submit a spontaneous application. The individual must be identified and proposed by an authorized body: the Rulers’ and Crown Princes’ Courts, the Executive Councils of the emirates, or the Federal Cabinet. These entities may rely on recommendations from specialized bodies such as the Scientists Council, the Ministry of Economy, or the Ministry of Culture and Youth.

The conditions vary by category but follow a similar logic:

– For doctors and specialists: at least ten years of experience, specialization in a sought-after scientific field, recognized contributions (publications, reference studies), membership in a prestigious professional organization;

– For scientists: research activity at a university, research center, or in the private sector, more than ten years of practice, scientific prizes or notable funding, recommendation from an Emirati scientific institution;

– For inventors: at least one patent validated by the Ministry of Economy or a recognized international organization, with a proven interest for the local economy, plus a letter of recommendation;

– For artists and creative talents: pioneering role in their discipline, at least one major international prize, and recommendation from cultural authorities;

– For investors: ownership of significant assets in the country, particularly real estate or industrial, with a tangible impact on employment and the economy.

Selected individuals must take an oath of allegiance, commit to respecting the country’s laws, and inform authorities of any changes to their nationality status. Citizenship acquired in this way can again be revoked in case of breach.

It is within this framework that the 2021 reform introduced the possibility of retaining one’s original nationality: these “new Emiratis” can, under conditions, become dual nationals.

The Golden Visa: a powerful residency status, but not a shortcut to the passport

The Golden Visa occupies a central place in current discourse about the UAE: it is often presented as the key to long-term settlement, or even as a stepping stone to nationality. It is therefore crucial to clarify what it allows… and especially what it does not allow.

The Golden Visa is a long-term residence permit (5 or 10 years, renewable) aimed at investors, entrepreneurs, highly skilled professionals, scientists, artists, outstanding students, humanitarians, and “frontline heroes.” It is self-sponsored: unlike standard visas, it does not require a local employer.

It offers a range of benefits:

Tip:

The long-term residence visa in the United Arab Emirates offers several major advantages. It grants the right to live, work, and study in the country without needing a sponsor. It also allows you to stay outside the UAE for more than six months without the visa being canceled. The holder can sponsor their spouse, children (often without age limit), and sometimes their parents as well as domestic staff. This visa facilitates access to public services such as healthcare and education. Finally, it simplifies procedures for opening bank accounts, acquiring real estate, and structuring businesses.

Nevertheless, authorities repeatedly and unambiguously state: no Golden Visa, regardless of type, creates an automatic or even preferential right to citizenship. It is a resident status, not a legal stepping stone to the passport. Of course, a long-term resident who invests heavily, innovates, publishes, wins awards, may be noticed and nominated under the merit-based citizenship framework. But in that scenario, it is their exceptional contribution that counts, not merely holding a Golden Visa.

Residency vs. Citizenship

Comparison of key features to measure the gap between resident status and citizen status.

Political rights

Citizenship generally confers the right to vote and stand for election, unlike residency which does not grant these political rights.

Duration and stability

Citizenship is permanent and inalienable, while a residence permit is often temporary and subject to renewal or revocation.

Freedom of movement

Citizens generally hold a passport allowing free movement, whereas residents may be subject to travel restrictions.

Obligations and duties

Citizenship entails specific duties such as national service, which do not always apply to residents.

Access to public employment

Certain public sector or sensitive jobs are reserved for citizens and not accessible to residents.

Consular protection

A citizen benefits from diplomatic and consular protection from their country abroad, protection that is often limited for residents.

The Golden Visa therefore remains an excellent solution for settling long-term, developing a business, educating children, and building a long-term presence in the UAE, but it should not be confused with a “fast track” to the passport.

How does a successful naturalization actually proceed?

For the rare foreigners who manage to navigate the various steps toward naturalization, the path generally follows a recurring sequence, although in practice each case is handled individually.

Step 1: Establish a solid residency base

In all pathways not based on descent, legal residency is a prerequisite. Whether for marriage, long-term naturalization, or exceptional merit, the candidate must have a valid visa, an Emirates ID, an address, and a clear administrative status.

For qualified or investor profiles, the Golden Visa is often the most suitable form of residency:

This step is not intended to “create” a right to citizenship, but to anchor the person in the country over the long term.

Step 2: Build an eligible profile

The following years are used to accumulate what the authorities prioritize: contribution to the country’s development and integration.

For an investor, this may mean: the need to analyze market trends and make informed decisions to maximize returns while minimizing risks.

– Maintaining and developing substantial investments (real estate, businesses, local funds);

– Creating jobs for residents;

– Meeting tax obligations (e.g., a Golden Visa investor must demonstrate a certain annual tax level to the Federal Tax Authority).

For a scientist or doctor:

– Publishing recognized research;

– Participating in national projects at institutes or universities in the country;

– Obtaining recommendations from bodies such as the Scientists Council.

Tip:

For an artist or entrepreneur, it is essential to cultivate a regular work discipline, develop a strong professional network, and constantly stay attuned to the needs of their audience or clientele to ensure the sustainability and growth of their activity.

– Winning international prizes;

– Promoting the country in their field;

– Developing initiatives aligned with the federation’s strategic objectives (innovation, sustainability, education, health, etc.).

In all cases, social integration remains a fundamental element: speaking Arabic, respecting laws and customs, and being durably involved in local life.

Step 3: Nomination by an Emirati authority

This is the core of the system: without nomination, there is no merit-based citizenship file. In practice, the person does not directly “apply.” It is typically an Emirati institution that, recognizing the candidate’s added value, submits their name to the competent authorities.

Some typical examples:

– A research institute or university invites the Emirates Scientists Council to recommend a high-level researcher;

– The Ministry of Economy supports the file of an inventor who has filed a patent with high local impact;

– A cultural council presents an award-winning artist.

The nomination marks the transition from being a “remarkable resident” to a “potential candidate for citizenship.”

Step 4: Security review and political validation

Once the name is submitted, several levels of review are triggered:

Good to know:

The long-term residence application is subject to a complete verification including: the authenticity of provided documents (civil status records, diplomas, patents, financial statements), a security check (criminal records from the country of origin and the United Arab Emirates, background, risks to state security), and an assessment of compliance with the specific criteria of the requested category (experience, prizes, contributions, investment level).

The entire file is then consolidated into an opinion transmitted to a federal advisory body bringing together representatives from the different emirates. The final decision rests with the Cabinet, the Executive Councils, or the Rulers’ and Crown Princes’ Courts.

No official timeline is announced, but available analyses generally mention processes that can extend over 12 to 18 months, sometimes longer for complex cases.

Step 5: Oath, formalities, and passport issuance

If approved, the candidate is invited to take an oath of allegiance to the United Arab Emirates, commit to respecting their laws, and inform authorities of any change in nationality. They are then issued an Emirati identity card and, upon request, a passport.

The passport application itself follows the standard citizen procedure: submitting the application via the ICP app or website, a photo compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization standards, payment of fees (a few tens of dirhams), and issuance within approximately 48 hours.

The Emirati passport: an extraordinary mobility tool

The appeal of the Emirati passport also lies in its power in terms of international mobility. International rankings now place it among the very top in the world.

Combining different ranking sources:

– According to Arton Capital, it ranks first in the world with facilitated access to 179 countries (133 visa-free, 46 with visa on arrival, 19 via electronic travel authorization);

– According to the Henley Passport Index, it is approximately in the top 15, with access to about 175 countries without a visa or with a visa on arrival;

– Other indices, such as the GCS Global Passport Index, place it in the top 15 % of the most powerful passports worldwide.

35

Number of destinations accessible without heavy formalities for the Emirati passport in 2016, before a major agreement with the Schengen Area.

This progress is not accidental. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a specific initiative, the “UAE Passport Force,” with the explicit mission of elevating the national passport to the very top global ranks. Emirati diplomacy has multiplied bilateral visa liberalization agreements, following a broader strategy of economic and political projection.

The concrete benefits of citizenship for a future passport holder

Beyond international mobility, Emirati nationality comes with a set of rights and benefits that explain the level of interest – and sometimes fantasy – it generates.

These can be grouped into several blocks.

Economic and tax advantages

The UAE does not impose personal income tax, whether for employees, freelancers, or sole entrepreneurs. It also does not levy wealth tax, capital gains tax (except in certain banking or corporate contexts), or inheritance tax in the Western sense – even though, in the absence of a will, asset transmission follows Islamic law.

For a citizen, these tax benefits combine with full freedom to do business:

Advantages for foreign investors

Main benefits offered by the legal and economic framework for international investors.

Full ownership of shares

Possibility to hold 100 % of company shares in most business sectors.

Simplified access to permits

Easier access to business licenses and special economic zones.

Favorable regulatory environment

Fewer regulatory constraints than for a foreign investor in many other countries.

Added to this is the ability to invest without restriction in real estate across the entire territory, including areas where only nationals can buy.

Social and welfare benefits

Citizenship opens the door to a very broad range of public benefits:

– Free education from kindergarten through university, with scholarships to study abroad in some cases;

– Free or heavily subsidized access to healthcare, including coverage abroad for specialized treatments;

– Assisted housing programs: free land, subsidized homes, interest-free loans;

– Financial support for marriage and family life;

– Retirement pensions after 20 years of service that can reach up to 80 % of the final salary.

10-12

Percentage of the total population represented by the citizen body benefiting from these social policies in a country where nearly 90 % of residents are foreigners.

Legal and political security

A citizen cannot be deported like a simple resident at the end of a visa. They benefit from increased protection against deportation and priority access to the civil service. On the diplomatic front, they can rely on Emirati consular services in case of difficulties abroad.

There are, however, corresponding obligations, such as the possibility for some men to be called up for military service or the strict application of criminal and national security laws. Citizenship can be revoked in cases of fraud in the naturalization process, enlistment in a foreign army without authorization, or serious acts deemed contrary to state interests.

Dual nationality: a targeted opening, not a general right

Historically, Emirati nationality meant renouncing other passports. The 2021 reforms introduced an exception for certain categories of new citizens: investors, scientists, doctors, engineers, inventors, artists, and other specially selected talents may, with the authorities’ approval, retain their original nationality while becoming Emirati.

In practice, this means:

Attention:

Naturalized Emirati individuals must declare their other nationalities to the authorities, remain subject to restrictions from their country of origin regarding dual nationality, and understand that this status is a privilege granted under the 2021 reforms, not a universal right.

For the vast majority of expatriates, especially those who might be naturalized through the classic path (long residency, Arab origin, etc.), renouncing the original passport remains the rule in principle – even if, in practice, few cases are publicly documented.

Beware of misconceptions and dubious promises

Given the rarity of naturalizations and the prestige of the passport, the terrain is fertile for misunderstandings and exaggerated commercial offers.

Several points must be kept in mind:

Attention:

There is no official counter or standard formula for obtaining Emirati citizenship as a foreigner. The only legal path is through a nomination or high-level political decision. Neither very long-term residency nor the purchase of real estate (which only grants residency rights such as the Golden Visa) automatically confer this right. Commercial offers promising citizenship in a few months in exchange for a fixed investment should therefore be approached with the utmost caution.

A simple table can summarize what is realistic or not for a foreigner aiming, one day perhaps, for citizenship:

What to remember if you are aiming for the passport one day

For a foreign reader dreaming of one day obtaining the passport to the country in the United Arab Emirates, the picture may seem both clear and unforgiving.

On one hand, the country has deliberately opened the door to certain profiles from around the world, relaxing its 1972 law to attract the talent and capital needed for its ambitions in the coming decades. It has created mechanisms like the Golden Visa to stabilize the presence of these talents, it has accepted the idea of dual nationality for specific cases, and it has elevated the national passport to the top of global mobility rankings.

Good to know:

Access to citizenship is an exceptional privilege, reserved for a minority. It is granted based on the alignment of the individual’s path and contribution (scientific, economic, social, or cultural) with the country’s strategic objectives. Neither wealth alone, nor length of residency, nor the simple desire to belong constitutes sufficient criteria.

In practice, for anyone wishing to engage in this long-term project, the only realistic strategy is to:

Example:

To establish yourself sustainably in the United Arab Emirates, several actions are recommended. First, build a stable legal presence using available residency tools, such as a work visa, an investment visa, or the Golden Visa. Second, investment must be real and multidimensional: create economic value, generate jobs, contribute to the country’s knowledge and prestige, beyond a simple financial contribution. Third, deep integration is crucial, which involves mastering the Arabic language and understanding local social codes. Finally, it is essential to accept that, even by following these steps, obtaining permanent residency or nationality remains uncertain and ultimately depends on a sovereign decision by the authorities.

The Emirati passport is therefore not a financial product nor an automatic reward, but a symbol of belonging that the state reserves for those it chooses to fully integrate into its collective project. For those who achieve it, it opens access to one of the most powerful sets today: political security, social comfort, a dynamic economic ecosystem, and global mobility unparalleled in the Arab world.

Cyril Jarnias

Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.

On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.

Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.

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