DUBAI: In what could be a historic move, UAE on Saturday announced citizenship to select expatriates as part of major changes to its citizenship law.

According to information received, UAE will give citizenship to foreign investors, doctors, scientists, artists and talented people and their families. The decision taken upon the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

“We adopted law amendments that allow granting the UAE citizenship to investors, specialized talents & professionals including scientists, doctors, engineers, artists, authors and their families. The new directives aim to attract talents that contribute to our development journey,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote on his official twitter account.