The UAE allows dual citizenship, but only in one direction and only for a small, hand-picked group. Under a 2021 amendment to Federal Law No. 17 of 1972, foreign investors, specialists, and exceptional talents nominated by the government can take Emirati citizenship while keeping their original nationality. Everyone else — including existing Emiratis who voluntarily acquire a second passport, and foreigners who naturalize through long residence — still falls under the older rule that treats UAE citizenship as exclusive.1Lexis Middle East. UAE: Nationality Law Amendments Approved
The Narrow Yes: Citizenship by Nomination
The 2021 amendment created a pathway for a defined set of foreign nationals to receive Emirati citizenship without renouncing their existing nationality. Eligible categories include investors, doctors, scientists, inventors, engineers, creatives in culture and the arts, executives, athletes, and specialists in priority technology and engineering disciplines. Each category has its own qualifying criteria, such as recommendation letters, accredited academic qualifications, or years of practical experience.2The Official Platform of the UAE Government. Golden Visa
The process is invitation-only. Citizenship is granted through the Rulers’ and Crown Princes’ Courts, Offices of the Executive Councils, or the Cabinet, based on nominations from federal entities.3The Official Platform of the UAE Government. Emirati Nationality There is no public application form. A qualifying body identifies you as a candidate and forwards the file upward; the Cabinet decides. Investors generally need to hold property or a business investment meeting minimum capital thresholds. Athletes need endorsement from the General Sports Authority or a local sports council. Innovators and inventors need approval from the Ministry of Economy or a comparable local authority.4Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security. Issuance of a Residence Visa for Individuals with Specialized Talents
People granted citizenship through this route are explicitly permitted to retain their previous nationality.1Lexis Middle East. UAE: Nationality Law Amendments Approved That is the entire dual-citizenship exception. It does not extend to any other route into or out of UAE nationality.
The Rule for Existing Emiratis Is the Opposite
If you already hold UAE citizenship and voluntarily acquire another country’s nationality, you lose your UAE nationality. Article 15 of Federal Law No. 17 of 1972 is explicit: any person holding UAE nationality loses it if they voluntarily adopt the nationality of another country. Citizenship is also lost if you serve in a foreign military without permission and refuse to stop when ordered, or if you work on behalf of an enemy state.5Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. Federal Law No. 17 of 1972 Concerning Nationality and Passports
The 2021 amendment did not change this. So an Emirati who decides to become a citizen of, say, Canada or the United Kingdom would trigger Article 15 and lose UAE nationality, even though a Canadian or British national nominated for Emirati citizenship can keep both. The rule is asymmetric by design.
Standard 30-Year Naturalization Still Requires Renunciation
The UAE keeps a traditional naturalization route alongside the nomination pathway. The general law allows naturalization after roughly 30 years of continuous lawful residence. Arab nationals from certain neighboring states may qualify on shorter timelines, but even the most favorable cases require many years of residence, Arabic language fluency, a clean criminal record, and a lawful source of income.
Naturalization through residence still requires you to renounce your original nationality. The dual-citizenship carve-out from 2021 applies only to the nomination-based route for investors and exceptional talent. Long residence in the UAE, however impressive, does not entitle you to keep your first passport when you become Emirati.
A Golden Visa Is Not Citizenship
The UAE Golden Visa causes constant confusion on this question. It is a long-term residence permit, typically valid for 10 years, that lets you live, work, and study in the country without a national sponsor. It is not a passport and does not confer nationality. Golden Visa holders remain foreign nationals with no voting rights and no automatic route to Emirati citizenship. Holding one does not shorten the 30-year naturalization clock and does not qualify you for the nomination pathway; you would need to qualify for that program independently on the basis of your investment, profession, or talent.
Dual Citizenship for Children Born to Emiratis
UAE nationality law also produces dual citizenship in some children by operation of law. Under Article 2 of Federal Law No. 17 of 1972, a child born to a UAE father is automatically a citizen regardless of where the child is born.5Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. Federal Law No. 17 of 1972 Concerning Nationality and Passports If the other parent holds a different nationality and passes it on, the child effectively holds two nationalities from birth.
The path is different for children born to an Emirati mother and a foreign father. Citizenship applies automatically only when the father’s identity is not established or when the father is stateless. Where the father is a known foreign national, the mother can apply for citizenship on behalf of her children after a specified period of residence in the UAE, and at 18 the child can apply independently. These applications can take years, and approval is not guaranteed.
Extra Ways Naturalized Citizens Can Lose Status
People who acquired UAE citizenship through naturalization sit on shakier ground than those who were born into it. Under Article 16, naturalized citizenship can be withdrawn if the person commits or attempts actions deemed dangerous to national security, is repeatedly convicted of crimes involving dishonesty, obtained citizenship through fraud or false information, or resides outside the UAE for more than four consecutive years without justification. If naturalized citizenship is revoked, the government can also revoke the citizenship of the person’s spouse and minor children.
Anyone taking Emirati citizenship through the nomination route should read these grounds carefully. Keeping a second nationality is permitted, but the second nationality does not insulate you from the revocation rules that apply to naturalized Emiratis.
A Note for U.S. Citizens Considering an Emirati Passport
Americans who acquire Emirati nationality do not shed their U.S. tax obligations by doing so. The United States taxes based on citizenship, not residence, so a U.S.-UAE dual national must continue filing a U.S. return and reporting worldwide income every year. The foreign earned income exclusion covers up to $132,900 of foreign earned income for the 2026 tax year, with a separate housing exclusion of up to $39,870 for qualifying costs.6Internal Revenue Service. Figuring the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion Investment income and earned income above the cap remain taxable to the U.S.
Foreign account reporting is separate. If your foreign financial accounts together exceed $10,000 at any point in the year, you must file an FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) by April 15, with an automatic extension to October 15.7Internal Revenue Service. Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) FATCA reporting on Form 8938 is triggered at higher thresholds that vary by filing status and whether you live abroad.8Internal Revenue Service. Summary of FATCA Reporting for U.S Taxpayers The UAE levies no personal income tax, but that does not remove any U.S. filing requirement.