In a country best known for attracting high-net-worth investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, and tech innovators, the UAE’s residency landscape has steadily grown to include one often-overlooked group: retirees. Through a dedicated 5-year renewable retirement visa, the UAE offers financially stable expatriates aged 55 and above a pathway to long-term residency, without the need for employment or active business activity. While most of the country’s residency categories continue to focus on sectors like investment, talent, and workforce development, including Golden Visas for specialists, the Blue Visa for sustainability experts, and expanded permits for digital creators and healthcare professionals, this program stands apart in its simplicity and purpose. It’s a quiet but strategic effort to welcome global citizens looking not just to build, but to settle, offering them a tax-friendly, secure environment for retirement. Here’s a complete breakdown of the retirement visa: who can apply, what’s required, the costs involved, and how Dubai’s variant adds even more flexibility to the national framework.
What is the UAE Retirement Visa and who can apply?
The UAE’s retirement visa program provides a 5-year renewable residency option for foreign retirees who wish to settle in the country after their working years. The policy is applicable across all emirates, with Dubai offering an additional customized version of the program. It was officially introduced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) in December 2024, as part of a broader federal update to residency and ID regulations aimed at creating more flexible long-term visa pathways.
Eligibility criteria (Federal regulations)
Applicants must meet all of the following base criteria:
- Minimum age: 55 years or older
- Work experience: Minimum of 15 years of cumulative work experience, whether inside or outside the UAE
In addition, applicants must fulfill at least one of the following financial conditions:
- Own property in the UAE valued at AED 1 million or more — $270,000 or more
- Have savings of at least AED 1 million — $270,000
- Receive a minimum monthly income of AED 20,000 — $5,400
Special Case (Dubai Only): Dubai residents are eligible with a lower income threshold of AED 15,000 ($4,050) per month.Applicants are also required to submit a bank statement from the past six months to confirm financial eligibility.
Visa validity and renewal
- The retirement visa is issued for a five-year period
- Renewable upon continued fulfillment of the eligibility conditions
- Offers a pathway for long-term stability in the UAE post-retirement
Application process – step-by-step through ICP
The ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security) manages the retirement visa application process through its digital platforms, namely the official ICP website and the UAEICP smart application. The process involves four primary steps through the UAEICP smart application or official website:
- Log in via UAE Pass or username/password – Secure digital identity login
- Select Services – Choose “UAE ID and Residency Services”
- Review and Update Data – Verify all auto-retrieved personal and financial information and make necessary updates
- Payment and Delivery – Pay applicable fees and receive the Emirates ID via approved delivery services
Special Retirement Visa Program by Dubai
In addition to federal guidelines, Dubai offers its own retirement visa initiative, tailored to attract global retirees, their spouses, and dependents. It comes with a choice of four financial qualification options, any one of which would make the applicant eligible:
- Minimum annual income of AED 180,000 (or monthly income of AED 15,000) — $48,600 annually or $4,050 monthly
- Fixed deposit savings of AED 1 million maintained for at least 3 years — $270,000
- Ownership of unmortgaged property worth AED 1 million in Dubai — $270,000
- A combined financial portfolio (savings + property) totaling at least AED 1 million — $270,000
This flexibility allows applicants to tailor their approach based on income, assets, or a mix of both. Foreign applicants can apply through the GDRFAD website under the section titled ‘Issuing a residence permit for the retired foreigner’.
Required documents for each applicant category
To complete the application for the UAE Retirement Visa, applicants must provide documents specific to the financial route they are applying under. The documentation ensures the applicant meets eligibility criteria and supports the processing of the visa.For foreign retired real estate owners
- Applicants applying through real estate ownership must submit:
- Copy of passport
- Proof of property ownership or property evaluation certificate issued by the Land and Property Department
For foreign pensioners who own a depositApplicants applying through a financial deposit must submit:
- Personal photo
- Copy of passport
- Certificate of financial deposit
- Acknowledgment letter confirming the transfer of the deposit into the UAE
For Foreign Pensioners With Annual IncomeApplicants applying through regular income must submit:
- Personal photo
- Copy of passport
- Bank account statement for the last six (6) months
- Letter from an official body indicating the source of income
Note: All documents must be valid and clearly support the financial eligibility route chosen by the applicant. Failure to provide complete documentation may result in delays or rejection.
Fees, costs, and other considerations
While referred to by some as a “free” visa in media reports, the UAE retirement visa does involve multiple fees for processing, medical testing, and administrative services.
- Medical Examination: AED 700 ($189)
- Emirates ID: AED 653 ($176.31)
- Visa Fees: AED 2,256.75 ($609.32)
- Dubai
Land Department (DLD) Fees: AED 2,020 ($545.40) - Administrative DLD Fees: AED 1,155 ($311.85)
- Health Insurance: Variable, depending on applicant’s age and provider
Total Estimated Range: AED 2,300 to AED 3,800 ($621 to $1,026) (excluding insurance) These figures highlight that, while the visa is employment-independent, it is not fee-exempt, and applicants should budget accordingly.
Benefits and strategic context
The retirement visa is more than just a residency document, it’s a cornerstone of the UAE’s broader strategy for global competitiveness and population diversification.
Key benefits for retirees:
- No income, property, or wealth tax
- Sponsorship eligibility for spouse and dependent children
- Access to top-tier healthcare across the UAE
- Multiple entry/exit flexibility without residency disruptions
- Long-term lifestyle security through renewable 5-year terms
Strategic vision
The program aligns with the UAE’s Vision 2031, aimed at diversifying national income sources, increasing global talent retention, and transforming the Emirates into a full-spectrum destination — not just for careers but also for retirement, investment, and quality of life.
Broader visa reforms in 2025
The retirement visa is part of the UAE’s broader 2025 residency reforms aimed at attracting long-term residents across diverse sectors. Recent additions include the Blue Visa for environmental experts, expanded Golden Visas for teachers, nurses, digital content creators, and luxury yacht owners, and an enhanced Golden Visa for e-sports and gaming professionals. The rollout also features AI-driven processing for faster approvals, reflecting the UAE’s push for a more inclusive and efficient residency framework.
