Family and Citizenship in the Gulf: The future of citizenship for non-national men who marry to national women

Abstract

Cross-national marriages states bring forth various benefits, including increased cross-cultural interaction, prevention of genetic disorders, and reduced marriage costs compared to endogamous unions. While, as per statistics, the number of these marriages is increasing in all the GCC states, there is a significant gap in the literature concerning the implications and the prospects of the current citizenship policies on the families. Within the context of citizenship acquisition, this research investigates the policies and practices of the GCC states concerning the citizenship eligibility of the spouses and children of national women who marry non-national men. The study conducts a comparative analysis of the legal and policy frameworks in the GCC countries, and it discusses their constitutional provisions, immigration laws, and citizenship policies. Additionally, the study examines the underlying social, cultural, and economic factors that influence the formulation of these policies while also investigating their consequences on the families affected by them. The research also draws on case studies of families affected by these policies to explore their lived experiences. The findings of the study reveal significant differences in the legal and policy frameworks across the GCC countries, with some countries granting citizenship to the children and spouses of national women who marry non-nationals while others do not. The study also highlights the impact of these policies on gender equality and family rights, including issues related to citizenship, property rights, and access to social services. The paper concludes that the prospects of citizenship for families of national women who marry non-national men vary greatly across the GCC countries. Accordingly, it emphasizes the need for a more gender-sensitive approach to citizenship policies in the region. It also recommends reforms to ensure current citizenship policies acknowledge their implications on gender equality and family rights.