As a woman, you can get Emirati citizenship as a dependent of your husband, if your husband is an Emirati citizen. Women in the UAE are considered dependents either of their husbands or their fathers, regardless of whether they work or live independently. Women cannot pass on their Emirati citizenship. If you are a man and marry an Emirati woman, you will never be able to get Emirati citizenship as a result of being married to her, no matter how long the marriage lasts.
When you get married, go to the General Directorate of Residence and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA). Bring your marriage certificate and identification. Tell them that you want to become a national, and they will give you forms to complete. If you are a man and marry an Emirati woman, any children your wife gives birth to will not be Emirati citizens. They will have to wait until they are 18 to apply for citizenship, and in the meantime you will have to pay for education and healthcare for the child that Emirati citizens get for free. [4] X Research source
Keep in mind this rule only applies to women who marry men who are Emirati citizens. A man who marries an Emirati woman will not be eligible for citizenship by virtue of the marriage.
Contact the embassy or consulate of your country of origin to find out what you need to do to officially revoke your citizenship.
You will have to pay a fee for the request to be processed. You must be present with your husband when he submits the form and documents.
All Arabs living in the UAE in 1972 who had been living there since 1925 were automatically considered Emirati citizens. Children of Emirati citizens are also automatically considered citizens. You also may be granted Emirati citizenship if you are an Arab man from Oman, Qatar, or Bahrain and live in the UAE for 3 years. You must be employed with a clean criminal background and good character.
Your father can file a document for you attesting to his citizenship. If all of his documents are in order, you will be added to his Family Book.
Visit an office of the General Directorate of Residence and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) and let them know that your mother is an Emirati citizen and you want to apply for Emirati citizenship. They will give you forms to complete. [10] X Research source If your father is not an Emirati citizen, you are not automatically considered a citizen yourself. However, you have the right to apply for citizenship after you turn 18. [11] X Research source
Once your entry permit is issued, it will be valid for two months. Once you get to the UAE, apply for your residency visa as soon as possible, as it must be issued within 30 days of your arrival.
While living in the UAE under a residency visa, you can open a bank account and rent an apartment or other residence. You are not allowed to own property. If you break the law, or if your sponsor withdraws their sponsorship, you may be asked to leave the country. As long as you obey the law and exhibit good character, you generally shouldn’t have any problems renewing your residency visa every 2 years.
During the 30 years (or longer) that you live in the UAE, do not violate the law or get in any trouble. You will not be eligible for citizenship if you have any criminal record. You also must be continuously employed, typically by an Emirati employer.
When you apply for citizenship, the GDRFA will request references who will attest to your honor and morality. These references may be given in writing or as in-person testimony.
