TheCable

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has adopted a new law granting citizenship to investors, specialised talents and professionals.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, prime minister of UAE and ruler of Dubai, announced the development in a tweet on Saturday.

He identified professionals and talents to be considered for citizenship to include scientists, doctors, engineers, artists, authors and their families.

The prime minister explained that the UAE seeks to attract talents to contribute to its development vision.

Al Maktoum said the UAE cabinet, local Emiri courts and executive councils will nominate those eligible for the citizenship, adding that recipients can keep their existing citizenship.

“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,” he tweeted.

“The UAE cabinet, local Emiri courts & 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.”

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.

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) January 30, 2021

The UAE cabinet, local Emiri courts & 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.

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— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) January 30, 2021

UAE is not the first country to create laws granting citizenship to professionals from other countries.

Canada is a popular emigration choice for Nigerians. The UK has also launched a point-based immigration system to attract talents from across the world.