Understanding the UAE’s Five-Year Retirement Visa: Eligibility, Costs, and Benefits

The UAE’s 5-year retirement visa offers foreigners aged 55 and above a route to continue living in the country without employment. The programme details the financial thresholds, eligibility rules and official fees applicants must plan for, along with the benefits linked to long-term residency.

The programme gives retirees a defined process to remain in the UAE while accessing essential services and meeting legal requirements.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must be at least 55 years old and should have completed 15 years of work experience in the UAE or abroad. Along with these criteria, the programme requires applicants to meet one financial condition. They must own property worth AED 1 million, or maintain savings of AED 1 million, or earn a monthly income of AED 20,000. For Dubai residents, the minimum income requirement is AED 15,000. Meeting any one of these conditions qualifies an applicant to apply for the 5-year visa.

Cost breakdown

The visa carries set government fees. The visa fee is AED 2,256.75. A medical examination, which is mandatory, costs around AED 700. The Emirates ID fee is around AED 653. Additional government-related processing charges apply, including AED 2,020 and AED 1,155.

These form the core cost of the application. Health insurance is compulsory and is not included in these amounts. Insurance premiums vary depending on the applicant’s age and the selected provider. Excluding insurance, the total outlay on government fees generally ranges between AED 2,300 and AED 3,800.

What the visa offers

The retirement visa provides several residency-related advantages for approved applicants. They may sponsor their spouse and dependent children under the same permit. They are allowed access to healthcare services in the UAE. The visa also permits unrestricted travel in and out of the country during its validity.