Dubai’s government is keen to protect the status quo and doesn't want to compromise its cultural values or standard of living by allowing foreigners to become a permanent part of society. Your only route to becoming a naturalised citizen is after ten years of marriage to a national; even this, however, doesn’t guarantee citizenship, particularly for non-Muslims.
In exceptional circumstances only, a Dubai’s ruler might grant citizenship to a foreigner who has provided outstanding service to the state over a number of years. A generous employer might reward a loyal worker who has made a major contribution to the company over many years by providing him with a work and residence permit of indefinite duration. After your retirement, however, the employer would have to be a figure of considerable influence to maintain this gift and satisfy the labour authorities. In this case, you wouldn’t be a citizen, but merely be allowed to remain in the country indefinitely.
Children of foreigners born in Dubai don’t have rights of local citizenship and automatically assume the nationality of the parents. Foreign children are automatically considered nationals, however the UAE does not permit dual nationality, so the decision to renounce the second passport must be made.
It’s recommended that you fully acquaint yourself with the implications of giving birth in Dubai.
In many cases, the child isn’t affected, but any children that he has might not enjoy the same rights of nationality, citizenship, abode, etc. as his parents and grandparents.
This article is an extract from Living and Working in Gulf States & Saudi Arabia. Click here to get a copy now .