The United Arab Emirates (UAE) following the trends in the United Kingdom and Canada through their skilled personnel visa programmes, and the United States Lottery Visa programme, has launched a similar project aimed at extending citizenship rights to “eligible” foreigners who contribute to the Gulf country’s development.  According to the Emirati Vice-President and Dubai ruler Sheikh Muhammed bin Rashid al Maktoum who made the announcement over the weekend, the UAE has adopted a number of amendments that will allow the granting of Emirati citizenship to “talented” professionals, investors, scientists, engineers, and doctors who contribute to the development of the Gulf country. He said the amendments will also cover artists, authors and their families.

“The new directives aim to attract talents that contribute to our development journey,” Rashid al Maktoum explained. He noted that the UAE cabinet and authorities will select “those eligible for the citizenship under clear criteria set for each category.”

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Meanwhile, the law also allows receivers of the UAE passport to keep their existing citizenship. The decision is part of the UAE’s new reforms seeking to attract foreign investors.

The United Arab Emirates has opened a citizenship programme for professionals and Investors. The UK, Canada and the US have been running similar programmes for years.

Analysts have warned that this new opportunity closer home to Africa will end up raping the continent of its highly skilled workforce many of whom are searching for greener pastures, and better remunerations, especially in the health sector. According to an economist who pleaded anonymity “I fear Nigeria may get stripped of what is left of its professionals in no time. Nigeria has come so low in its trajectory to the point where all it values is personal loyalties and skills and professionalism mean nothing. The Minister of Labour even said doctors’ emigration is a good thing because they repatriate US dollars”.

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Many other observers have equally expressed similar warnings across other fields of endeavors especially in the ICT sector where African youngsters are doing quite well. Without a level playing ground, opportunities for younger people in Africa, the continent would lose its young skilled professionals to better competitive environments like the UAE.

In November 2020, the UAE announced the approval of amendments to end punishment against alcohol consumption, cohabitation, and suicide attempts. The legal age for alcohol consumption in the UAE is 21. The amendment also includes ending the special treatment of individuals charged for “honor killings.”

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Anyone facing such charges will receive prison sentences and Emirati courts will no longer hand defendants reduced prison terms. The move has largely been interpreted as a notable victory for gender equality in the Gulf country. The amendments also include changes to the Personal Status and the Civil Transactions laws, allowing non-Emirati citizens to choose the law of their country of origin to solve their issues, including inheritance. For many observers, the spate of reforms is meant to upgrade the UAE’s global image and make the country more attractive to foreign expertise, including investors and highly skilled professionals.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry