Investors, innovators, artists to get UAE citizenship: Sheikh Mohammed

Dubai - 'The UAE has adopted citizenship law amendments'

The UAE has adopted law amendments that will allow granting Emirati citizenship to investors, specialised talents and professionals. The professionals include doctors, scientists, engineers, artists, authors, and their families.

Reflecting focus on its diversity and tolerance, the UAE has adopted law amendments that will allow granting Emirati citizenship to investors, specialised talents and professionals. The professionals include doctors, scientists, engineers, artists, authors, and their families.

Under the directive of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Cabinet chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved the amendments of the Executive Regulation of the Federal Law concerning Nationality and Passports.

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The step aims to appreciate the talents and competencies present in the UAE and attract more bright minds to the Emirati community in a way that will contributes to the development and prosperity of the country.

“The new directives aim to attract talents that contribute to our development journey,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announced on his Twitter feed. In a series of posts, the Dubai Ruler explained that the UAE Ccabinet, local Emiri courts and executive councils will nominate those eligible for the citizenship under clear criteria set for each category.

“The law allows receivers of the UAE passport to keep their existing citizenship,” tweeted Sheikh Mohammed. The government is yet to set out how nominees would be identified.

Residents and expatriates hailed the amendments by stressing that besides promoting the nation’s economic growth and development, this is a clear indication that the UAE is a country of dreams.

Federal National Council (FNC) member Sara Mohammed Falaknaz said the amendments granting Emirati citizenship to investors, professionals and others talents clearly affirms that the UAE is a country of dreams and ambitions. “This is a great milestone. It will give hope to people in various fields to create a better future for them and their families, and to realise their aspirations,” she said.

A second FNC member, Dhirar Belhoul Al Falasi, saidadded: “These legal amendments indicate the vision of the wise leadership of the UAE and their decisions are based on national interests and development. The country is setting finest examples in political awareness.”

UAE national Futtain Al Hammadi, who works as a career adviser in Abu Dhabi, said: “It is really great for the future of our country to have people from different ethnic backgrounds as citizens.”

Diplomats, long-term residents and expatriate businessmen said the new laws are designed to catapult the UAE into the future.

Francisco Hernandez, Ambassador of Costa Rica in the UAE, said the decision of granting of citizenship to non-Emiratis is brilliant. “I support it wholeheartedly. It would give even a stronger sense of belonging to those individuals with capital, talent and willingness to join in rowing the boat of the UAE to the future.

Dr Azad Moopen, founder chairman and managing director of Aster DM Healthcare, said: “It is heart-warming and exciting to hear the announcement to allow select categories of people in the UAE to hold dual citizenship.”

“While it will help many people who have played a significant role in the development of the country through years of dedicated efforts, it will also help to attract new talents in various specialised fields to this oasis of peace and prosperity. This will further propel the UAE to be one among the most progressive countries in the world. I applaud the remarkable initiative adopted by the vcisionary Rulers of the UAE,” he added.

“We are thrilled to learn the news on the announcement of citizenship for investors, doctors, scientists and skilled professionals,” says Kamal Vachani, group director, of Al Maya Group.