The new law will offer dual-nationality to qualifying foreigners…

Not long after the introduction of the ten year ‘golden visa’, given to experts in STEM, doctors, and sporting professionals, a new incentive has been announced for talented professionals.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, took to Twitter on January 30 to announce an amendment to the law.

The new law grants UAE citizenship to that investors and expatriates of specialised talents and professionals including scientists, doctors, engineers, artists, authors and their families.


Recipients of the citizenship can even keep their own passports, offering dual nationality for the first time. The Gulf region rarely offers citizenship to foreigners so this presents a golden opportunity for qualifying professionals.

In order to obtain the dual citizenship, you must first be nominated by the government or royal court officials. Certain qualifying factors must be reached first, for example investors should own property in the UAE.

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Artists must have one or more international awards in their field, talented individuals should have patented inventions registered by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, or similar.

Scientists are required to have 10 years of experience, and be current researchers at a university or a private researcher centre. While doctors and specialists should be experts in a high priority research area.

In most cases, the individual would also need a letter of recommendation from the governing body of their particular field.