UAE Retirement Visa: Eligibility Criteria and Application Process

There's a point when many founders and professionals start asking a different question about Dubai. Not "How fast can I grow here?" but "Can I stay here long-term?"

The question reflects a broader shift. Expatriates make up around 88–89% of the UAE's population, and many have built long-term careers, businesses, and property portfolios in the country. In 2023 alone, Dubai recorded over AED 634 billion in real estate transactions, signalling growing long-term commitment from residents rather than short-term stays. As the country's geriatric population is projected to increase fivefold or more by 2050, the UAE has introduced policies designed to retain experienced professionals, investors, and high-net-worth residents beyond their working years.

The UAE retirement visa has become one such pathway. Designed for stability, it allows eligible residents aged 55 and above to remain in the country for five years, renewable, without needing an employer sponsor.

If you're planning long-term life in Dubai, whether through property, savings, or investment income, this guide explains the eligibility criteria, financial requirements, and application process for the UAE retirement visa based on official UAE frameworks.

Note: Meydan Free Zone does not issue or sponsor retirement visas.

What is the UAE Retirement Visa?

The UAE retirement visa is a renewable five-year residence permit for expatriates aged 55 and above who meet specific financial criteria. It allows long-term residents to remain in Dubai after their primary working years, without needing an employer or company to sponsor their stay.

The visa reflects a shift in how the UAE approaches long-term residents. Many applicants are not fully stepping away from economic activity. Instead, they are transitioning out of full-time employment while continuing to manage investments, rental income, savings, or business interests.

What makes the retirement visa different from standard residency is independence. Your residency is based on financial stability rather than employment. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements at renewal, your stay remains secure.

With a retirement visa, residents can:

• Live in Dubai under a renewable 5-year residency
• Sponsor a spouse and eligible dependants
• Maintain bank accounts and access local services
• Manage property, investments, or business interests

This is residency, not citizenship. But for many long-term expatriates who have built their lives and assets in the UAE, it offers something important: the ability to stay without relying on a job to do so.

UAE Retirement Visa Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the retirement visa, applicants must have either worked for not less than 15 years inside or outside the UAE or be 55 years or older and meet at least one of the approved financial pathways. The underlying principle is simple: the UAE wants to see long-term financial stability that allows you to live independently without relying on employment.

1. Property Ownership

You can qualify by owning property in the UAE with a minimum value of AED 1 million.

There are a few practical conditions to keep in mind:

• The property must be completed and ready, not off-plan or under construction.
• Joint ownership is accepted, provided your share meets the minimum value requirement.
• Mortgaged properties may still qualify, but authorities will assess the equity portion you actually own.
• Valuation may be verified through official property records.

This pathway is common among long-term residents who have already shifted part of their savings into real estate for rental income or long-term residence.

2. Savings Requirement

Applicants can also qualify by maintaining AED 1 million in savings within a UAE bank.

In most cases:

• The funds must be placed in a fixed deposit for a specified period (typically two to three years).
• The bank must issue an official confirmation letter stating the deposit value and lock-in period.
• Authorities may review account history to ensure the funds are genuinely maintained and not temporarily transferred for the application.

This route is often preferred by retirees who want liquidity without tying capital into property.

3. Monthly Income Requirement

Another pathway is demonstrating a stable monthly income of at least AED 20,000.

Acceptable income sources include:

• Pension payments
• Rental income from property
• Dividends or investment returns
• Overseas retirement or annuity income

What matters here is consistency and traceability. Authorities typically require bank statements and supporting documents to confirm the income is ongoing and comes from a legitimate source.

4. Combined Option (Savings and Income)

In some cases, applicants may qualify through a combination of savings and recurring income. This option is assessed individually, particularly for applicants whose financial position is strong but structured across multiple sources.

Documents Required for a UAE Retirement Visa

While exact requirements may vary depending on the application channel and personal situation, most applicants should prepare the following:

• Passport copy (valid for at least six months)
• Current UAE residence visa and Emirates ID (if already a resident)
• Bank statements or fixed deposit confirmation
• Property title deed, if applying under the property category
• Proof of income (pension certificates, rental agreements, investment statements)
• Valid UAE health insurance, which is mandatory for residency approval

After entry approval, applicants must complete the standard UAE residency formalities, including a medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics. These checks are part of the federal residency system and apply to all long-term residence visas.

Step-by-Step Application Process for a Retirement Visa in the UAE

The retirement visa process follows the standard UAE residency structure. Here’s how the process typically works.

Step 1: Choose Your Visa Route

The pathway depends on how you qualify:

• Savings/income route → processed through GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs)
• Property route → processed through Dubai Land Department (DLD)

This matters because:

• Property applicants go through property verification first
• Financial applicants go through residency authority review

This decision determines the entire processing channel

Step 2: Submit Your Application

For GDRFA (Savings/income route):

• Create an account on the GDRFA smart services portal
• Apply under the individual services section
• Upload financial documents and complete the online submission

For the property route (DLD):

• Submit property documents and application through the DLD system
• Visit a DLD service centre if required for verification

The key difference: property cases involve asset validation, not just document review.

Step 3: Initial Approval

Once submitted, authorities assess your eligibility by reviewing:

• Property value or fixed deposit confirmation
• Income stability and source
• Compliance with residency requirements

If the financial position is clear and well documented, this stage is usually straightforward.

Step 4: Pay the Visa Fees

After approval, applicants pay approximately AED 3,714.75 per person.

This bundled fee covers:

• Entry permit
• Status adjustment (if already in the UAE)
• Medical fitness test
• Emirates ID issuance
• Residency stamping
• Administrative processing

The amount may vary slightly depending on individual circumstances, but this is the standard all-inclusive processing cost.

How Long Does the UAE Retirement Visa Process Take?

Processing time depends on the application route and the completeness of your documents.

Initial eligibility review under the Retire in Dubai programme may be completed within 48 hours. However, the overall timeline is longer because additional steps are required.

In most cases:

• Property-based applications may take longer due to verification through the Dubai Land Department
• Medical testing and Emirates ID issuance typically take 5–10 working days
• Final visa issuance and status adjustment add additional processing time

In practice, the full process typically takes 2–4 weeks, depending on the application pathway and document readiness.

Can You Work or Run a Business on a Retirement Visa?

The UAE retirement visa is not employment-based and does not allow you to take up a salaried job with an employer.

However, visa holders can:

• Manage personal investments or property
• Receive rental or investment income
• Act as a shareholder or investor in a business

Residency must remain supported by the qualifying financial criteria rather than employment.

Note: Meydan Free Zone does not issue or sponsor retirement visas. The UAE retirement visa is granted directly by government authorities based on personal financial eligibility.

Understanding the Difference Between the Retirement Visa and the Golden Visa

For many long-term residents and investors, the choice isn’t just about staying in the UAE; it’s about choosing the right residency structure based on age, financial position, and long-term plans. Both the retirement visa and the Golden Visa offer extended residency without employer sponsorship, but they are designed for different life stages and financial profiles.

Both visas offer long-term residency without employer sponsorship, but they serve different profiles.

For individuals over 55 with stable savings or property, the retirement visa is often the more straightforward option. Those with larger investments or qualifying professional profiles may consider the Golden Visa.

Final Thoughts

For many long-term expatriates, retirement in the UAE isn’t about slowing down; it’s about staying connected to a place where their financial, professional, and personal lives are already established.

The UAE retirement visa offers a practical pathway for residents aged 55 and above who want continuity without relying on employer sponsorship. With clear eligibility options based on property ownership, savings, or stable income, the framework is built around financial independence and long-term security.

For those who have built assets, investments, and roots in Dubai, the retirement visa provides a structured, renewable way to remain part of the country’s lifestyle, financial ecosystem, and long-term future.