United Arab Emirates (AE)
The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates — Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah — that has transformed from a pearl-diving and fishing economy into one of the world's most modern and cosmopolitan nations within a single generation.
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Region: Middle East
Language: Arabic
Currency: AED (د.إ)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 78)
Emergency: 999
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Citizenship & Permanent Residency
Long-term settlement options in United Arab Emirates.
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Permanent Residency
Name
UAE Golden Visa (10-Year Residence)
Eligibility
Investors (property AED 2M+, business capital AED 2M+), outstanding talents (scientists, doctors, creative professionals, athletes), entrepreneurs (startup with AED 500K+ funding or approved by accredited incubator), outstanding students (top academic results), humanitarian pioneers, and frontline heroes. Also available to family members of qualifying holders.
Duration
10 years, self-sponsored (no employer required), renewable
Requirements
- ✓Evidence of investment (property title deed, bank letter confirming investment)
- ✓Valid passport
- ✓Clean criminal record
- ✓Medical fitness certificate
- ✓Emirates ID application
- ✓For talented individuals: endorsement from relevant federal authority (MCSC, MOH, MOCCAE, etc.)
- ✓For entrepreneurs: approval letter from a UAE accredited business incubator or innovation centre
The Golden Visa is not equivalent to permanent residency in Western terms — it does not lead to citizenship. It requires periodic renewal every 10 years. Holders may stay outside the UAE for extended periods without visa cancellation (unlike standard residence visas which cancel after 6 months abroad). February 2026 update: the minimum upfront payment requirement for property-route applicants was removed — mortgage-financed properties from approved UAE banks now qualify, as do off-plan properties from approved developers (50%+ paid). Multiple properties may be combined to reach the AED 2M threshold. Golden Visa holders can sponsor immediate family members.
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Citizenship
Name
UAE Citizenship (Naturalization)
Eligibility
UAE citizenship is extremely restricted. Naturalization is granted by Presidential Decree only, in exceptional cases. There is no open application process for expatriates. Traditional statutory routes: citizens of Oman, Qatar, or Bahrain after 3 years of continuous residence; other Arab nationals after 7 years; non-Arab nationals after 30 years. The 2021 exceptional merit programme additionally allows select foreigners — investors, doctors, scientists, creative professionals, athletes, and their families — to be nominated for citizenship at the UAE government's discretion.
Duration
Lifetime (once granted)
Requirements
- ✓No open application process — citizenship is discretionary, granted by Presidential Decree or government nomination
- ✓Traditional statutory route — Arab nationals (non-GCC): 7 years of continuous legal residence; non-Arab nationals: 30 years
- ✓GCC nationals (Oman, Qatar, Bahrain): 3 years of continuous legal residence
- ✓Spouse of UAE national: 7+ years of marriage, no criminal record, fluency in Arabic
- ✓Exceptional merit programme: nomination by UAE authorities; categories include investors, doctors, scientists, engineers, artists, athletes
UAE citizenship by exceptional merit (2021 programme) does not require a specific residency period — eligible individuals can be nominated at any time. Only foreigners who receive UAE citizenship through the exceptional merit programme are permitted to retain dual citizenship. All other naturalization routes require renunciation of prior nationality. As of 2026, there is no direct citizenship-by-investment programme — property or financial investment alone does not qualify. Most expatriates, even after decades of residence, will never qualify for UAE citizenship. Planning long-term life around the possibility of UAE citizenship is not advisable.
Other Routes to Residency & Citizenship
UAE Green Visa (5-Year Self-Sponsored)
Eligibility
Skilled employees with a university degree earning AED 15,000+/month, or freelancers with AED 360,000+/year income, or investors with AED 500,000+ business investment.
Duration / Outcome
5 years, self-sponsored, renewable
Requirements
- ✓Employment contract or business licence
- ✓University degree (bachelor's or higher)
- ✓Minimum salary AED 15,000/month (employed) or AED 360,000/year revenue (freelancer)
- ✓Valid passport, Emirates ID, medical fitness
The Green Visa was introduced in 2022 as a mid-tier option between standard employment visa (2 years, employer-sponsored) and Golden Visa (10 years). Green Visa holders have a 6-month grace period after leaving employment to find new sponsorship or maintain self-sponsorship.
Retired Resident Visa
Eligibility
Expatriates aged 55+ who have completed at least 15 years of UAE employment (public or private sector), or who own UAE property worth AED 2M+, or who have AED 1M+ in UAE bank savings.
Duration / Outcome
5 years, renewable
Requirements
- ✓Age 55 or above
- ✓One of: property AED 2M+ / AED 1M+ savings / 15 years UAE employment
- ✓Health insurance
- ✓Valid passport
Allows retired expatriates to continue living in the UAE without employment. Cannot work under this visa without a separate work permit. Good option for those wishing to retire in the UAE.
🌍 Dual Citizenship
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Dual citizenship is not allowed — UAE citizens are generally not permitted to hold dual citizenship, with one exception: foreigners who receive UAE citizenship through the exceptional merit programme (2021) may retain their original citizenship. For all traditional naturalization routes, prior nationality must be renounced. The UAE does not revoke residency or Golden/Green Visa status if a foreign resident holds multiple citizenships — the restriction applies only to UAE nationals. Expatriates who acquire or already hold dual citizenship from other countries are not affected by UAE rules. Note: some countries (e.g., India, Japan, Singapore) require renouncing all other citizenships upon acquiring theirs — check your home country rules carefully.
Citizenship & Permanent Residency
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