The United Arab Republic is all set to offer citizenship to a select group of foreigners. The rare move is to stimulate economic growth amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Oil-rich Gulf states have been forced to consider giving citizenship to foreigners. As they seek to attract investment and diversify from oil.
“We adopted law amendments that allow granting the UAE citizenship to investors, specialized talents & professionals including scientists, doctors, engineers, artists, authors and their families. The new directives aim to attract talents that contribute to our development journey,” Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum said in a tweet.
He further added that the hereditary rulers in the country’s seven emirates and at the federal level would nominate those for citizenship. That granted citizenship also would be able to keep their initial citizenship. The citizenship can be withdrawn upon breach of the conditions.
The conditions that must be met to secure the citizenship are:
1.Investors are required to own a property in the UAE.
2. They are also required to obtain one or more patents that are approved by the UAE Ministry of Economy or any other reputable international body, in addition to a recommendation letter from the Economy Ministry
3. Doctors and specialists must be specialised in a unique scientific discipline or any other scientific principles that are highly required in the UAE.
4. Scientists are required to be an active researcher in a university or research centre or in the private sector, with a practical experience of not less than 10 years in the same field.
5. Individuals with creative talents such as intellectuals and artists should be pioneers in the culture and art fields and winners of one or more international award. A recommendation letter from related government entities is mandatory as well.
Courtesy Bloomberg.