What is the UAE Retirement / Retiree Visa?

The UAE offers a Residence Visa for the Retired (often simply called “Retirement Visa”) — it’s a 5-year renewable visa for expatriates aged 55 and over who meet certain financial criteria.

It allows you to legally reside in the UAE without needing employment or sponsorship by a company.

You may sponsor family members (spouse, children) under this visa, subject to meeting conditions.

Eligibility Criteria (Basic Conditions)

To qualify for the retiree visa, you must satisfy two categories of criteria: age / prior work and financial / asset.

Age / Work Condition

You must be:

• At least 55 years old at the time of application

• Or, have worked (in UAE or abroad) for at least 15 years (this is sometimes used in addition or alternative to age, depending on the emirate)

In practice, most applicants use the 55+ age route since that is the simpler benchmark.

Financial / Asset Criteria

You must meet one (or a combination) of the following financial or asset options:

1. Steady Income / Pension
A minimum annual or monthly income (varies by emirate)
For Dubai, this is typically AED 180,000 per year (i.e. AED 15,000 per month)
In some other emirates, the requirement is higher (e.g. AED 240,000 per year)

2. Savings / Fixed Deposit
Maintain a bank deposit of at least AED 1,000,000
Usually, the deposit must remain for a defined period (e.g. 2 or 3 years)

3. Real Estate Ownership
Own real estate in the UAE valued at least AED 1,000,000 (either unmortgaged or with documented equity)
You must provide a property valuation, registration certificates, and proof of no liens or seizures

4. Combination Option
Use a mix of deposit and real estate whose combined value meets a minimum threshold
For example, AED 500,000 deposit + AED 500,000 property. Each portion must meet minimum requirements individually

Additional Nuances

• If you choose the deposit option, many emirates require that the deposit be transferred into a UAE bank within a certain timeframe (e.g. 60 days) after issuance of the visa

• The real estate must be unencumbered (or the equity portion must meet the requirement), and it must hold an official valuation and registration certificate

Documents Required

Here is a typical list of documents needed when applying (may vary slightly by emirate):

• Valid passport (often with at least 6 months validity)

• Passport-size photos

• Proof of age (birth certificate, etc.)

• Bank statements for the last 6 months (for income or deposit option)

• Certificate of source of income or pension (if applying on income basis)

• Real estate documents: title deed, valuation, registration, proof of no liens or seizure

• Bank certificate for fixed deposit (if applying via deposit route)

• Health insurance valid in the UAE

• Additional documents: current UAE visa / Emirates ID (if applicant is already a resident), marriage certificate (if sponsoring spouse), children’s birth certificates, etc.

Application Process & Duration

Steps generally are:

1. Choose which financial option you will apply under (income, deposit, property, or combination)

2. Gather and certify all needed documents (attestations, translations, etc.)

3. Submit your application to the relevant immigration/residency authority (e.g., ICP, GDRFA, or the relevant emirate authority) via their portal or service centers

4. Authorities verify documents (financial verification, property verification, etc.)

5. If approved, the visa is issued (5 years), and you receive a residence permit or visa stamp

6. Upon expiry, you can apply for renewal if you still meet the criteria

Processing time varies — often 2 to 4 weeks for document verification, depending on the emirate and complexity

Validity & Renewal

The retiree visa is typically valid for 5 years and is renewable if you continue satisfying the eligibility criteria

When renewing, you must again show that you continue to meet the financial or asset thresholds

Some sources note that in Dubai, if the conditions are maintained, the visa may be automatically renewed

Benefits & Limitations

Benefits

• Long-term residency without need to be employed — this gives retirees security and stability

• Freedom to travel in and out (multiple-entry) as a resident

• Sponsorship of dependents (spouse / children), subject to conditions

• Access to regular resident services (utilities, telecom, etc.) as any UAE resident

• Tax benefits — no personal income tax in UAE, which helps preserve pension or investment income

• Living in a stable, modern country with good infrastructure, healthcare, and safety

Limitations / Things to Consider

• Cannot work (in most cases) under the retiree visa (it's not a work visa). Many sources state that employment is not permitted under the retiree visa

• You must continue to meet the financial or asset criteria at renewal

• If your financial situation changes (e.g. you lose pension or your savings deplete), you may fail the renewal

• You may have to stay within certain timeframes or fulfill UAE residency requirements (though for this visa there is flexibility)

• The visa rules can differ slightly between emirates (Dubai vs Abu Dhabi vs others) — so local implementation matters

• Costs: there are application, visa issuance, and medical / health insurance costs
  In Dubai, for instance:

  • Reported cost for a new 5-year retirement visa is ~ AED 6,984.75

  • Renewal cost is ~ AED 6,419.75

• Health insurance must be maintained

• For the deposit route, you may need to bring the deposit into UAE banks

• If you leave UAE for extended periods, check rules on visa validity or forfeiture
  Some visas require you not to be absent for too long, but for the retiree visa, many sources say there is no strict limit

Key Emirate-Specific Notes (Dubai / Abu Dhabi)

In Dubai

• The retiree visa is offered under the “Retire in Dubai” program

• You must be 55+

• Financial options include:

  • Annual income of AED 180,000 (i.e. AED 15,000/month)

  • AED 1,000,000 deposit

  • AED 1,000,000 property

  • Or a combination of deposit and property

• Health insurance is necessary

• Application, renewal, and cancellation fees are published (e.g., ~AED 6,984.75 for new visa)

In Abu Dhabi

• The retirement residency visa (5-year) is available under Abu Dhabi’s retirement residency program

• Some sources suggest higher financial thresholds or property requirements (e.g., property worth AED 2 million)

• You still must meet health insurance and other standard residency criteria

In Other Emirates

• Similar rules apply but check for variations (income thresholds, deposit rules, etc.)

• The federal government’s site mentions “Residence visa for the retired” in its list of residence visa types

Practical Tips & Considerations

• Before applying, consider your long-term financial stability — whether your income, pension, or savings will last

• Plan the route (income, deposit, property, combination) that best matches your situation

• Ensure you have certified/attested documents if required (especially from your home country)

• Make sure health insurance is in place and accepted in the emirate you reside in

• Be aware of renewal deadlines, and maintain or improve your financial standing over time

• If already residing in UAE under another visa, check what changes or formalities are needed to convert to retiree visa

• Consult a local immigration/legal advisor in the specific emirate (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, etc.) before applying to verify the local implementation and any changes or new rules