Retirement Visa
UAE residency for retirees aged 55+ with proven income, savings or property. 5-year validity, self-sponsored, full residency rights including family sponsorship.
What Is the Retirement Visa?
The UAE Retirement Visa (or "Retire in Dubai" visa) was launched in 2018 to attract retirees from around the world. It provides 5-year UAE residency for individuals aged 55 and above who meet one of three financial criteria: AED 20,000+/month income, AED 1M+ in savings, OR AED 1M+ in UAE property. The visa is renewable, self-sponsored, and includes the right to bring spouse on the same visa.
Retirement Visa suits foreign retirees seeking a tax-free, sunny base in a stable jurisdiction. Compared to applying for a property-based investor visa, the Retirement Visa is cheaper and validates 5 years instead of 2-3. Compared to the Golden Visa, it has a lower investment threshold (AED 1M property vs AED 2M) but shorter validity (5 vs 10 years).
Who Can Apply
- Aged 55 or above at application
- One of three financial qualifications:
- 1) AED 20,000+/month verified pension or income
- 2) AED 1,000,000+ in financial savings (bank statement)
- 3) AED 1,000,000+ in UAE property (title deed)
- Valid health insurance covering UAE
- Clean medical fitness test
Cost Breakdown
Government fees + Insight service fee. No hidden costs.
Estimates only. Final quote depends on dependents, urgency and current government fees. We confirm in writing within 24 hours.
Step-by-step Application
-
01
Eligibility verification
We confirm age, qualifying track (income / savings / property), and gather supporting documents in correct format.
-
02
Financial proof preparation
Pension certificate / bank statement / title deed must be UAE-recognised. For foreign documents — legalised + Arabic translation.
-
03
Application + entry permit
Application submitted via ICA Retiree track. Entry permit issued in 7-10 days.
-
04
Medical, biometrics, Emirates ID
Standard medical fitness + biometrics in the UAE. Emirates ID issued as 5-year card.
-
05
Family member visa (optional)
Spouse can be added on the same Retirement Visa application. Family visa adds AED 4,000-6,000 to cost.
What You Need to Provide
- Passport copy (6+ months validity)
- Passport-size photo with white background
- Entry permit / current UAE visa copy
- Emirates ID (if existing UAE resident)
- Medical fitness test result
- Application form signed by sponsor / self
- Passport + age proof (must be 55+)
- Pension certificate or income statement (AED 20K+/month) — track 1
- Bank statement AED 1M+ (last 6 months) — track 2
- UAE title deed AED 1M+ property — track 3
- Health insurance certificate
Retirement Visa vs Other UAE Visas
Retirement Visa — Frequently Asked Questions
You must be 55 years or older at the time of application. The visa remains valid past 65 (renewable). There is no upper age limit.
Yes — spouse can be sponsored on the same Retirement Visa application, matching your 5-year validity. Children of any age can be sponsored if they remain dependent (e.g. minors or unmarried daughters).
The AED 1M property track is the most common for international retirees — buying a Dubai/Abu Dhabi apartment in that range is achievable and the property is yours regardless. The savings track requires showing AED 1M+ liquid for 6+ months. Pension track is simpler if your pension exceeds AED 20K/month.
The visa is for retirees, but there's no explicit prohibition on consulting / freelance work. Active employment requires a separate work permit. Many retirees invest passively or consult informally without issues.
Retirement Visa requires age 55+ and one of 3 financial qualifications (cheaper threshold: AED 1M). Golden Visa has no age requirement but needs AED 2M+ for the investor track (or qualifying talent/credentials). Retirement is 5 years, Golden is 10 years.
Bank account is separate from visa status — banks have their own rules (some require monthly minimum balance, some auto-close after 12 months of dormancy). Visa-wise, leaving for 6+ months cancels the Retirement Visa. Coordinate stays accordingly.
Apply for Retirement Visa
