Home GCC UAE Thousands of children granted UAE citizenship Emirati women married to foreign fathers can apply for UAE citizenship for their children when they turn six years old by Staff Writer May 28, 2019 The UAE government will grant Emirati citizenship to more than 3,000 children, after the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship processed thousands of applications. The 3,354 children are the sons and daughters of Emirati women married to foreign fathers, who are not automatically entitled to UAE citizenship as they take the nationality of their father. Since 2011 children with Emirati mothers and foreign fathers have been entitled to apply for an Emirati passport when they turn 18 years old, but recent changes to the law means mothers can now apply for their children to have Emirati citizenship when they turn six. In a statement, the Authority said that procedures were completed following the directives of President of the UAE Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the continued monitoring by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. State news agency WAM reported that the process took place “to ensure that all necessary procedures to grant citizenship to eligible persons are completed, ensuring their inclusion in UAE social fabric”. 0 Comments