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Pathway

Citizenship through an Emirati Mother

United Arab Emirates Citizenship
Pathway overview

At a glance

If your mother was Emirati when you were born and your father was a foreign citizen, you may be able to apply for UAE citizenship from age six. Your mother must remain Emirati through the application. The government reviews the case, and approval is not guaranteed.

Family connection
An Emirati mother who was married to your father, a foreign citizen
Minimum age
6
Mother’s citizenship
She must have remained an Emirati citizen since your birth

Summary

Children of an Emirati mother and her foreign-citizen husband can seek UAE citizenship through this application. It asks the government to grant citizenship; it does not confirm that citizenship arose automatically at birth.

The application requires proof of the parents' status and relationship, the child's age, and the other residence and citizenship conditions. A successful case still needs government approval, the required federal decree, and completion of citizenship records.

Applying through an Emirati mother
  1. Gather your family records Show that your mother was Emirati when you were born and remains Emirati. Include the marriage and birth records.
  2. Check the full requirements Ask ICP how the age requirement and other citizenship rules apply to your situation.
  3. Apply and wait for a decision Citizenship may be granted Follow the official application process. The government must approve the citizenship grant.

Being old enough to apply does not automatically make you a citizen. The government must review and approve the application.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

The starting requirements

Article 10 Bis of the Nationality and Passports Law allows the government to grant citizenship if:

Older guidance referred to age 18. The amended law sets the earliest point at six years after birth. Reaching that age does not automatically make you a citizen.

Other requirements to check

Article 12 Bis lists general requirements for citizenship applications. These include living legally and continuously in the UAE, Arabic ability, lawful income, an educational qualification, good conduct, security approval, an oath of allegiance, and giving up other citizenship.

Ask the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) how the detailed rules apply to the child's age and situation. Meeting the family and age requirements above does not settle the whole application.

Documents to prepare

ICP may ask for:

Foreign records may need official authentication and certified Arabic translation. Confirm the list with ICP before paying to prepare documents.

What This Route Allows

This route lets a qualifying child be considered for UAE citizenship. The government must approve the application, issue the required federal decree, and complete the citizenship records.

After those steps, the new citizen can complete the relevant family-record, Emirates ID, and passport procedures.

What This Route Is Not

An Emirati mother does not automatically make every child a UAE citizen. This route requires an application and a government decision.

A different rule may apply if the child's father was not legally established, was unknown, or had no citizenship. See the separate citizenship through a parent guide.

Being born or raised in the UAE is not enough on its own. The 2022 rule giving resident children of Emirati women the same treatment as citizens in education and health also does not make them citizens.

Next Steps

  1. Collect proof that the mother was Emirati when the child was born and remains Emirati.
  2. Get the child's full birth record, the parents' marriage record, and proof of the father's foreign citizenship.
  3. Check the child's age and gather proof of legal, continuous residence in the UAE.
  4. Ask ICP for the current application process and document list. Ask how the residence, language, education, income, conduct, security, oath, and other-citizenship requirements apply to the child's age and situation.
  5. Check the family records for important differences and confirm which foreign documents need authentication and Arabic translation.
  6. Submit through the service or office ICP specifies. Keep copies and the application number, and answer requests for more evidence.
  7. Wait for the federal citizenship grant and completed records. An initial approval is not completed citizenship.

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Other routes in United Arab Emirates.

Sources