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For the first time, the United Arab Emirates has announced the granting of citizenship to certain foreigners.
“Citizens, investors, special talents, scientists, doctors, engineers, artists, researchers and their families will receive citizenship under the new amended law,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the country’s vice president and leader of Dubai.
However, low-income workers are less likely to meet these strict standards, according to a BBC report.
Sheikh Mohammad said his goal is to attract people who can contribute to the development of their country.
“There are no rules for applying for citizenship, but the royal family or UAE officials will nominate who will be granted citizenship,” he said. The United Arab Emirates cabinet will then decide whether these candidates will be granted citizenship.
The announcement came amid a coronavirus epidemic and falling oil prices. Recently, several thousand foreigners left the country.
Abu Dhabi-based newspaper The National says the new system will allow foreign experts and investors to build a deeper base in the country.
The emergence of the Gulf state as a financial and tourist center is completely dependent on expatriates.
“These expats are the majority in the UAE, with more than 90 percent in the workplace,” said Sebastian Usher, editor of Arab affairs for the BBC.
Foreign workers generally receive a renewable visa, which is valid for several years and that visa is primarily associated with employment.
Low-income workers have played a key role in shaping the country’s economy, providing labor in the construction, hospitality, and travel sectors.
These workers often send a large part of their income to their families in their home country.
Many of them have been in the country for some years, but have not been given any formal opportunity for citizenship or permanent residence and are not provided any social benefits.
Where low-income workers are neglected, the United Arab Emirates offers long-term opportunities for certain categories of people, including investors, students, and professionals.
In 2019, Sheikh Mohammed introduced the Golden Card Visa system, which allowed doctors, scientists and various professionals, including students who did well in school, to stay with their families for 10 years.
More and more people had this opportunity last year.
Under the new citizenship scheme, investors must own property in the UAE, doctors must specialize in a field that is in high demand, inventors must obtain patents approved in the UAE, and creative people must apply in their respective fields, according to a list published by WAM News Agency. Must have a leading role.
It is not yet clear whether new passport holders will be deemed eligible under the UAE’s public welfare system. The country spends billions of dollars on free education, health care, home loans and grants for its approximately 1.4 million citizens.
Citizenship is generally not granted to residents of the Gulf countries. It is only given to the wives of Emirati men and the children of Emirati parents.
The children of Emirati mothers married to foreigners do not obtain citizenship, but have to apply for it, the process can take several years.
