Born in Dubai, But Never Emirati
Imagine growing up in a country, calling it home your entire life, only to realize you'll never truly belong in the eyes of the law — that’s the reality for millions of expats in Dubai. Despite being born and raised in the city, speaking fluent Arabic, and attending local schools, foreign nationals are not granted Emirati citizenship. The UAE follows a strict nationality policy based on lineage, not birthplace — citizenship is reserved almost exclusively for those born to Emirati fathers. Even third-generation expat families are still considered temporary residents.
However, the tides are slowly shifting: in recent years, the UAE introduced the Golden Visa and long-term residency schemes for select individuals such as investors, scientists, and artists, offering up to 10 years of renewable stay. Still, these privileges don’t include full citizenship rights, like voting or owning certain types of land. In essence, while Dubai may welcome you with skyscrapers and opportunity, it keeps the Emirati identity closely guarded — a golden cage with an open door, but no key.