Retirement Visa

The UAE Retirement Visa is a 5-year self-sponsored residence permit that allows foreign retirees aged 55 and above to live in the United Arab Emirates without employment, sponsorship, or a local host. It targets retired expatriates who wish to remain in the UAE or foreign retirees attracted by the country's zero personal income tax environment, world-class infrastructure, and year-round warm climate.

Applicants must meet the age/experience requirement and one of the financial criteria:

Age/experience (one of):

• Reached 55 years of age, or
• Completed at least 15 years of work experience (inside or outside the UAE)

Financial (one of):

• Own real estate in the UAE valued at minimum AED 1,000,000
• Hold financial savings or deposits of at least AED 1,000,000
• Demonstrate a fixed annual income of at least AED 240,000 (AED 20,000/month) from any source
• A combination of property and savings totalling AED 1,000,000

Dubai-specific processing via GDRFA also accepts a monthly income threshold of AED 15,000 (AED 180,000/year). No educational or professional qualifications are required.

• Passport copy (valid 6+ months)
• Colored personal photograph
• Income route: 6 months of bank statements demonstrating AED 240,000+ annual income, income source letter from an official body
• Property route: e-Certificate of Title or Title Deed confirming property value of AED 1,000,000+
• Savings route: financial deposit certificate (AED 1,000,000+), transfer acknowledgment to UAE financial institution
• Medical fitness test results
• Emirates ID application
• Valid health insurance

The visa is granted for 5 years and renewable under the same conditions. Applicants must continue to meet the financial requirements at the time of renewal.

Holders may sponsor their spouse and children (school-age or student-age). Parents may be sponsored on a separate 1-year renewable visa. Each dependant must have valid UAE health insurance. Family sponsorship via the DLD route costs AED 4,968.50 + AED 318.75 file opening per person. Via the Visit Dubai portal, the fee is AED 3,714.75 per dependant.

The UAE does not levy personal income tax. Retirement visa holders residing 183+ days may qualify as UAE tax residents and can apply for a Tax Residency Certificate from the Federal Tax Authority. Corporate tax (9%) applies only if the individual conducts business activity with turnover exceeding AED 1 million per year.

Multiple application channels are available depending on the emirate and chosen financial route:

• GDRFA Dubai (income/savings route): apply via the smart services portal (smart.gdrfad.gov.ae) or in person at Amer Service Centers. Fees total approximately AED 2,280. Processing takes 48 hours via digital channels.
• Dubai Land Department (property route): apply through DLD service centres (Al Manara Center or Golden Cube). Fees total approximately AED 6,985. Processing takes 7–10 business days.
• Visit Dubai portal (all routes): apply at visitdubai.com/en/retire-in-dubai. Fee is AED 3,714.75 per applicant. Processing takes up to 15 working days.
• Other emirates: apply via ICP smart services portal (icp.gov.ae) or the UAEICP mobile app.

Applicants from abroad receive an entry permit valid for 60 days, during which they must enter the UAE and complete medical fitness testing, biometric registration, and Emirates ID issuance.

The retirement visa does not authorize employment in the UAE. Holders may not work for UAE-based employers. Engaging in freelance or consulting work requires obtaining a separate work permit or switching to an appropriate visa category.

• Financial deposits held outside the UAE must be transferred to a local financial institution within 60 days of visa issuance
• The standard 180-day continuous absence rule applies — staying outside the UAE for more than 180 days results in automatic visa nullification
• Grace period of 60 days after visa expiry or cancellation
• Overstay fees are AED 50 per day
• Fee structures vary between processing channels (GDRFA, DLD, Visit Dubai), so applicants should confirm exact fees with their chosen channel