Few know the hidden story of the Comoros passport & UAE deal , a program that gave thousands of stateless residents foreign citizenship without leaving the Emirates.
This is the untold chapter of identity, politics, and belonging in one of the world’s most exclusive nations.
🌍 Key Takeaways
- 🛂 What happened: Between 2008–2018, the UAE arranged for some stateless residents (Bidoon) and mixed-heritage families to receive Comoros passports instead of UAE nationality.
- 💰 Why it happened: The deal was part of Comoros’ “economic citizenship” program, allowing other nations to purchase passports for stateless residents.
- ⚖️ Who received them: Stateless individuals and children of Emirati fathers with non-Arab or foreign mothers were among the recipients.
- ❗ What it meant: These passports offered documentation, not true citizenship rights in either Comoros or the UAE.
- 🕊️ Current status: The program ended amid corruption scandals and human rights criticism, leaving many holders in legal limbo.
The Controversial Story Behind the Comoros Passport & UAE Deal
Imagine being born in one of the world’s richest countries, yet having no nationality, no passport, no right to travel.
That was the reality for thousands of Bidoon, stateless residents in the United Arab Emirates. To address this complex issue, the UAE struck a little-known deal with the Union of the Comoros, a small island nation off Africa’s east coast.
In this definitive explainer, we’ll uncover how and why the UAE offered Comoros passports, who was affected, and what happened to them after the program collapsed.
🧭 What Was the Comoros Passport Program?
Between 2008 and 2013, the Comorian government introduced an “economic citizenship” scheme, essentially, a way for foreigners to buy citizenship through investment.
The UAE saw an opportunity: rather than granting full Emirati nationality to its stateless population, it could purchase Comorian passports in bulk and assign them to certain residents.
This provided an administrative fix.. on paper, these individuals were no longer “stateless.” In practice, it shifted responsibility to another nation.
👥 Who Were the Recipients?
The majority were Bidoon, families who had lived in the UAE for generations but lacked citizenship.
However, reports also confirmed inclusion of children born to Emirati fathers and non-Arab or non-Emirati mothers.
Because Emirati nationality laws prioritize Arab lineage and paternal heritage, many mixed-heritage children were left in bureaucratic uncertainty.
Issuing Comorian passports allowed the UAE to classify them as “foreign nationals” without granting full citizenship rights.
💡 Why Did the UAE Choose This Approach?
- Demographic Control: Full Emirati citizenship is tightly restricted; expanding it could alter social and political balance.
- Legal Convenience: Comorian passports created a nationality “on record,” helping regularize residency status.
- Economic Exchange: Comoros received millions in revenue; the UAE gained a bureaucratic solution to a sensitive internal issue.
In essence, it was a trade of citizenship for stability, a transaction that left many caught between two nations.
⚠️ What Went Wrong
Investigations later revealed widespread corruption and misuse. Passport revenues were missing, citizenships were sold to non-UAE-linked individuals, and documentation was poorly managed.
By 2018, Comoros had officially suspended the program.
The result: thousands of people in the UAE still hold invalid or unrecognized Comorian passports, without citizenship rights in either country.
❓ FAQ: What You Need to Know
Did the UAE give Comorian passports to its citizens?
No. They were issued to stateless residents and some children of mixed heritage, not to full Emirati citizens.
Do these passports allow entry to Comoros?
Mostly no. Holders were not guaranteed residency or rights in Comoros.
Can holders become UAE citizens now?
Citizenship remains restricted. Some have been naturalized on a case-by-case basis, but most still await clear status.
Is the program still active?
No. It was discontinued after corruption and human rights investigations.
✍️ The Lasting Impact
The Comoros passport & UAE case remains a striking example of how nationality, identity, and geopolitics intertwine. It highlights a modern paradox:
In a world where some passports grant global mobility, others symbolize exclusion.
Thousands still live in uncertainty, documented yet not recognized, visible yet invisible.
Have insights or experiences related to this story? Let me know in the comments.
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