The authorities in the United Arab Emirates are offering foreign investors and other gifted professionals opportunity to become citizens of the oil-rich nation, with the aim of boosting its economy amidst the pandemic.

According to a tweet on the official page of the Dubai ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, expatriates nominated by UAE cabinet and and other governing bodies would be eligible for the country’s passport.

”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,” he said.

”The UAE cabinet, local Emiri courts & executive councils will nominate those eligible for the citizenship under clear criteria set for each category.

“The law allows receivers of the UAE passport to keep their existing citizenship,” he said. 

The UAE government recently made its laws more flexible for foreigners, loosening alcohol restriction and allowing unmarried couples to cohabitate. These measures have attracted more foreigners to the Gulf and boosted their tourism industry. 

Meanwhile, U.A.E. has been strict with its laws and only gives citizenship to the wives and children of Dubai men prior to Saturday’s announcement by the Dubai leader on Twitter.