The United Arab Emirates (UAE) passport, also known as the “Jawaz As-Safar Al-ʾImārātī,” is a travel document issued by the government of the United Arab Emirates to its citizens. It serves as proof of Emirati citizenship and facilitates international travel. Here’s a breakdown of its key features and benefits:
Appearance of United Arab Emirates passport
Burgundy red color with the UAE Coat of Arms on the cover.
Contains personal information like your name, date of birth, and photo.
Includes a machine-readable zone and a chip storing biometric data (fingerprint and facial image).
Functions:
Proof of citizenship: Essential for exercising your rights and responsibilities as a UAE citizen, including voting in elections and holding public office.
Travel document: Allows for visa-free travel to many countries around the world. As of February 2024, the UAE passport ranks 3rd globally in terms of travel freedom, granting access to 185 countries and territories without a prior visa. This makes it a powerful tool for business, leisure, and educational opportunities abroad.
Identification document: Can be used for identification within the UAE for various purposes like opening a bank account, renting an apartment, or accessing healthcare services.
Benefits of holding a UAE passport:
Freedom of movement: Visa-free access to many countries simplifies travel and opens up opportunities for work, study, or leisure.
Strong reputation: The UAE passport is recognized worldwide as a reliable and secure document, potentially offering advantages in certain situations.
Access to consular services: UAE embassies and consulates abroad can provide assistance to passport holders in case of emergencies or potrzebuality while traveling.
Additional information:
UAE passports are valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors.
You can renew your passport at any UAE embassy or consulate abroad or within the UAE at your canton of residence.
Losing your passport requires immediate reporting to the authorities.
Overall, a UAE passport is a valuable document offering its holders freedom of movement, identification capabilities, and access to consular services. It’s a symbol of Emirati citizenship and carries a strong reputation internationally.
How do I get an Emirati passport?
Unfortunately, acquiring an Emirati passport as a foreigner is not straightforward due to the strict regulations on citizenship in the United Arab Emirates. Here’s what you need to know:
General pathways to Emirati citizenship:
Descent: You must be born to an Emirati father (unless your parents are married and your mother is a non-citizen from an Arab country).
Naturalization: This is an exceptional process with specific criteria, such as exceptional merit in fields like science, art, or investment, typically requiring long-term residency and significant contributions to the UAE.
Marriage: You can marry an Emirati citizen and complete a lengthy residency period (around 7-10 years) to be eligible for naturalization.
Current restrictions for foreigners:
The UAE does not offer “economic citizenship” programs by direct investment or donation.
Naturalization through exceptional merit is reserved for individuals with truly outstanding achievements and significant impact on the country.
Marrying an Emirati citizen does not automatically grant citizenship, and the process involves strict eligibility checks and lengthy residency requirements.
Alternatives for foreigners:
Long-term residency visas: Options like the Golden visa and Green visa offer long-term residency benefits and advantages for business, investment, and lifestyle.
Dual citizenship: If your home country allows it, consider exploring dual citizenship options to enjoy travel freedom and benefits from both nationalities.
How long does it take to get UAE citizenship?
The time it takes to get UAE citizenship varies significantly depending on the chosen pathway, as there are currently limited options available for foreigners. Here’s a breakdown of the timeframes for each route:
1. Descent: If you qualify through descent from an Emirati father, you automatically acquire citizenship at birth.
2. Naturalization: This is the longest and most challenging path for foreigners. The time frame can range significantly depending on the specific criteria you meet and the processing time by authorities. Here’s a general breakdown:
Exceptional Merit: This route involves demonstrating exceptional contributions to the UAE in fields like science, art, or investment. There’s no set timeframe, and approvals are based on individual merit and impact.
Marriage: This requires a minimum 7-10 year residency period after marrying an Emirati citizen, followed by application and approval for naturalization. The processing time for the application itself can vary.
3. Other pathways:
Golden Visa and Green Visa: These long-term residency programs don’t lead directly to citizenship but offer significant benefits for business, investment, and lifestyle.
Dual Citizenship: If permitted by your home country, exploring dual citizenship can offer travel freedom and benefits from both nationalities.
Important to remember:
Acquiring Emirati citizenship through naturalization is an exceptional process with strict criteria and limited approvals.
The UAE doesn’t offer “economic citizenship” programs through direct investment or donation.
Even with marriage to an Emirati citizen, the path to naturalization involves a lengthy residency period and no guarantee of approval.
Recommendations:
Consider alternative residency options like the Golden Visa or Green Visa if citizenship isn’t your primary goal.
Research specific requirements and consult with immigration lawyers specializing in UAE law for personalized guidance based on your situation.
Stay updated on potential changes to citizenship regulations, as the UAE government reviews its policies periodically.
How much to invest in Dubai to get citizenship?
Contrary to popular belief, there is no direct investment pathway to obtain UAE citizenship, including in Dubai. While there are investment options available, they offer long-term residency visas, not automatic citizenship.
Here’s what you need to know:
Current options for investment and residency in Dubai:
Golden Visa: Offers a 10-year residency permit through various investment options, including:
AED 2 million (approx. $545,000) in real estate investment (must be held for at least 5 years).
AED 10 million (approx. $2.7 million) investment in public funds or companies.
Starting a company with a minimum capital of AED 500,000 (approx. $136,000) and maintaining payroll for at least 3 employees for 3 years.
Green Visa: Offers a 5-year residency permit renewable for periods of 5 years through:
Freelancing or self-employment with an annual income exceeding AED 360,000 (approx. $98,000).
Employment with a salary exceeding AED 5,000 (approx. $1,360) per month.
Important notes:
These visas do not automatically lead to citizenship. After fulfilling the residency requirements, individuals may be eligible to apply for naturalization, but this is an exceptional process with strict criteria and limited approvals.
Investment amounts are subject to change and specific conditions may apply to each option.
Alternatives to consider:
Dual citizenship: If your home country permits it, explore dual citizenship options for broader travel freedom and benefits.
Other residency programs: Consider alternative residency programs in other countries offering investment pathways to citizenship, but carefully research regulations and requirements.
How much does it cost to get a Dubai passport?
It’s important to understand that you cannot directly buy a Dubai passport, nor is there any guaranteed path to acquiring one through investment or other means. Here’s why:
Limited Citizenship Paths: The UAE, including Dubai, has very strict and limited pathways to citizenship for foreigners. Currently, there are only three ways to become a citizen:
Descent: Being born to an Emirati father (unless your parents are married and your mother is from an Arab country).
Naturalization: This is an exceptional process reserved for individuals with outstanding achievements and significant contributions to the UAE, often in fields like science, art, or investment. This process doesn’t have a set price tag but involves meeting strict criteria and lengthy residency requirements.
Marriage: Marrying an Emirati citizen and completing a minimum 7-10 year residency period allows you to apply for naturalization, but approval is not guaranteed.
No “Buy Citizenship” Option: Unlike some other countries, the UAE does not offer “economic citizenship” programs where you can directly purchase citizenship through investment.
Residency Visas are Different: There are long-term residency programs like the Golden visa and Green visa that offer benefits for business, investment, and lifestyle. However, these are not citizenship and do not automatically grant you a Dubai passport.
Therefore, there’s no specific “cost” for a Dubai passport, as acquiring one isn’t directly achievable through financial means.
Alternative options to consider:
Long-term residency visas: Explore options like the Golden visa or Green visa if long-term residency and associated benefits are your primary goals.
Dual citizenship: If your home country allows it, consider exploring dual citizenship options for travel freedom and additional benefits.
Other countries: Research residency programs in other countries that might have investment pathways to citizenship, but carefully assess regulations and requirements.
Obtain United Arab Emirates passport, these are official documents given to citizen of UAE to travel in and out of the Emirate,
10-Year UAE Residence Visa for Investors
If you’d like to make an application as an investor, you’re ready to make a public investment of at least AED10 million.
Investment Methods
A minimum deposit of AED10 million in a local investment fund
Forming a business with a minimum capital of AED10 million in the UAE
Making a partnership with an existing or a new company with a share value of a minimum of AED10 million
Making an investment of a minimum of AED10 million in all methods mentioned above; the condition is that the investment in sectors other than real estate is not less than 60 percent of the total investment.
Requirements
You’re required to prove that you have sufficient funds and aren’t getting a loan to make the investment
You commit to keep keep the investment for a minimum of three years
You have financial competence of up to AED10 million
Your visa can be extended to include your business partners. The condition is that if each partner contributes AED10 million.
Family Members and Colleagues
UAE long-term visa can include your spouse and children. You can also extend your visa to one executive director and one advisor. International investors are also eligible to apply for a multiple-entry permit for a six-month period.
2. 10-Year UAE Residence Visa for Special Talents
Specialists and researchers in the disciplines of science and knowledge, such as doctors, scientists, and inventors, as well as creative individuals in the fields of culture and art, are eligible. The spouse and children are also eligible. A legitimate job contract in a specialized field of priority in the UAE is required for all categories.
Requirements
United Arab Emirates passport If you’re a scientist, you’re required to be accredited by the Emirates Scientists Council. Accreditation from the holders of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence is accepted too
If you’re a creative person in culture and art, you’re required to be accredited by the Ministry of Culture and Youth
If you’re an investor, you’re required to get a patent of value that adds to the country’s economy. Also, note that patents are to be approved by the Ministry of Economy.
If you’re an exceptional talent, you need to submit patents or your scientific research that has been published in a world-class journal
If you’re an executive, you must own an internationally recognized company, or you must hold a high academic achievement
If you’re a doctor or a specialist, you need to meet at least two conditions we’ve listed below:
→Hold a Ph.D. degree from the world’s top 500 universities
→Have an award or certificates of appreciation
→Have contributed to major scientific research
→Have published articles or books
→Be a member of an organization in your field
→Have 10-year professional experience
→Be specialized in areas of priority to the UAE
Eligibility for a 5-year UAE Residence Visa
A 5-year UAE visa is available for investors, entrepreneurs, and outstanding students. We’ve explained them separately in the below sections.
1. 5-Year UAE Residence Visa for Investors
If you’d like to make an application as an investor, you’re ready to make a property investment. The gross value of the property is required to be a minimum of AED5 million.
Requirements
You’re required to keep the property for at least three years
You’re not allowed to take a loan to make the investment
2. 5-Year UAE Residence Visa for Entrepreneurs
If you’re an entrepreneur with an existing project with a capital of AED500,000 or have been approved by an accredited business incubator in the UAE, you might be eligible. You can extend your visa to your spouse, children, partner, and three executives.
Under this category, you’re going to be granted a multi-entry visa for six months, which is renewable for another six months.
3. 5-Year UAE Residence Visa for Students
If you’re an outstanding student, you can be eligible for this scheme.
Requirements
The requirement is that you’ve got a minimum grade of 95 percent in public and private secondary schools. University students, within UAE and from outside, can be eligible too if they have a distinction GPA of at least 3.75 upon graduation.
You can extend your visa to your family.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.
Be the first to review “United Arab Emirates passport”Cancel Reply
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.