Dubai retirement visa for foreigners: Eligibility requirements

Beautiful beaches and record-breaking attractions along with a quality healthcare system make the United Arab Emirates (UAE) a perfect living place for those people retiring from their jobs.

Dubai offers a five-year visa to retired foreign nationals if they are eligible and meet the requirements for it. The UAE government introduced amendments to the law, allowing expat residents to stay in the country after retirement.

Residents who have retired and are above the age of 55 can apply for a 5-year long-term visa. They can also sponsor their spouses and children.

UAE Retirement Visa Requirements and Eligibility Criteria:

• You must be at least 55 years old
• You must fulfill one of the following financial criteria

Option 1:
A sustainable income of at least AED180,000 (approx. US$49,000) a year or AED15,000 (approx. US$4,100) a month

Option 2:
AED1 million (approx. US$275,000) savings in a 3-year fixed deposit

Option 3:
AED1 million (approx. US$275,000) unmortgaged property or mortgaged property, for which the payment to date is at least AED1 million

Option 4:
A combination of Options 1 and 2, valued for at least AED1 million (approx. US$275,000) in a 3-year fixed deposit and property worth AED500,000 each.

If you are a local applicant, please ensure that all letters are translated into Arabic. If you are an international applicant, please ensure that your bank letters are attested.

Documents required for all options:

• Passport copy of applicant and dependents – spouse and children
• Marriage certificate copy – if you are sponsoring your spouse
• Copy of current visa – if you are a UAE resident for you and all dependents
• Copy of Emirates IDs of applicant and dependents – if you are a UAE resident

Where to Apply:
Your application process is determined by which Retire in Dubai pathway you qualify for, and subsequently which authorizing entity will approve your visa:
Savings applications – General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA)
Property applications – Dubai Land Department (DLD)

UAE Retirement Visa Fee:

If your application is approved by the GDRFA or DLD, a total of AED3,714.75 (approx. US$1,011) per applicant must be paid. The amount covers all the visa-related expenses, including entry permits, visa status adjustment, residency stamping, Emirates ID, medical examination, and management fees.