Question 1

What is the retirement visa?

Accepted Answer

The Dubai retirement visa is a 5 year, renewable visa to live in the UAE. Eligible applicants must be retired, above 55 years old and meet certain financial criteria.

A retiree is defined as someone who has worked in the past, and has a letter of retirement/end of service letter from their previous employer to prove this. For example, a housewife would not qualify as a retiree – however, they may be a dependent of the primary applicant, who is a retiree.

Question 2

Will I have multiple entry to the UAE?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as a holder of the retirement visa, you'll be regarded as a resident of the UAE and therefore are able to leave and enter the country at your convenience as long as your visa is active. There is no requirement to stay in the UAE for a minimum number of days per year either.

Question 3

How long is the application process?

Accepted Answer

Once you've been notified that your application is complete, the application process may take up to 15 working days.

Question 4

Can I live with my family once I have been granted the visa?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you may live with your family in their home, if it is large enough to accommodate you as per the guidelines established by the Dubai Land Department.

Question 5

Can my friends, children or colleague submit the application on my behalf?

Accepted Answer

At present, third-party submissions will not be accepted. You may submit your application only for yourself and your spouse/children.

Question 6

I am not yet 55 years old. Can I apply in advance?

Accepted Answer

Due to the relatively short visa processing time, we encourage you to apply only once you are 55 years of age.

Question 7

What is the cost of the retirement visa?

Accepted Answer

There is an upfront, non-refundable visa application handling fee of US$25 per applicant and dependent that must be paid to our official partner, Al Rais Travel Agencies LLC, who will check the submission for accuracy and completeness.

Afterwards, if the application is approved by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigner Affairs (GDRFA) or Dubai Land Department (DLD), a total amount of AED3,714.75 (approx. US$1,011) per applicant and dependent must be paid. Combining three processes in one for the retirement visa issuance, this cost covers the entry permit, visa status adjustment and residency stamping, as well the Emirates ID, medical examination and management fees.

Note that this does not include any costs associated with health insurance, which is mandatory.

Question 8

How old do I need to be to apply for the visa?

Accepted Answer

You must be at least 55 years old to apply for the retirement visa.

Question 9

What are the requirements I must fulfil to apply for the visa?

Accepted Answer

You can find all the details on our visa information page. Click here to view.

Question 10

What are the financial requirements?

Accepted Answer

The applicant has to fulfill one of the following criteria:

Option 1: AED20,000 (approx. US$5,500) Monthly Income OR
Option 2: AED1 million (approx. US$275,000) savings OR
Option 3: AED2 million (approx. US$550,000) property OR
Option 4: A combination of Options 2 and 3 valued at least AED2 million (approx. US$550,000)

Question 11

Do I have to fulfil all three options of income, savings and property?

Accepted Answer

Fulfilling just one of the financial criteria will suffice. However, you can also mix the options of savings and property to reach a joint value of AED2 million.

Question 12

For Option 1 (AED 20,000 monthly income), what qualifies as eligible income streams, and what supporting documentation is required?

Accepted Answer

At this stage, the GDRFA is only considering income from pension schemes or social services.

There are two documents required:

1. Proof of income letter: A letter which includes the name of the beneficiary and date of pension commencement from:

a. The relevant entity which details the monthly income to be equal to or greater than AED20,000 monthly or AED240,000 annually.

or

b. Your previous employer stating that you receive no less than AED20,000 monthly retirement income from your former place of work.

2. Bank statement: Minimum deposit of AED20,000 from the pension scheme/social service in your account on a monthly basis for the last 6 months (stamped by the bank). If you are unable to satisfy this explicit requirement, submit your documentation and we will consider your case.

Question 13

For Option 2 (AED 1m savings), what are the terms and conditions, and what supporting documentation is required?

Accepted Answer

For applicants who apply via the savings route (AED 1 million), it is required that the AED1 million be secured as a 3-year fixed deposit in a UAE-based bank. Applicants must obtain a stamped letter to that regard from the bank, addressed to GDRFA in Arabic (both Arabic and English on the same letter is acceptable).

Question 14

For Option 3 (AED 2m property), what are the terms and conditions, and what supporting documentation is required?

Accepted Answer

For applicants that apply via the property route, please note that the property must:

Have a minimum value of AED2 million as per the title deed
Have a minimum share value of AED2 million by the applicant (and spouse collectively), in case there are multiple owners
Be in the name of the applicant (not the applicant's spouse); if owned by a company, the company must be 100% owned by the applicant
Be fully paid
Not be mortgaged
Not be off-plan
Located in Dubai

Multiple properties with a combined value of AED2 million may be used, as long as they meet the above criteria. Please provide a copy of the title deed(s).

If your property is registered by DIFC, please note that the visa procedure is slightly different; you will have to contact them to manage the application on your behalf. The DIFC route offers two payment options, both of which cover the costs of a medical test, Emirates ID, visa stamping, VAT and letter from DIFC to GDRFA:

the normal retirement visa package for AED6,454 (approx. US$ 1,757)
- the express retirement visa package for AED7,703 (approx. US$2,097)

Question 15

For Option 4 (combination of AED2m property and AED 1m savings), what are the terms and conditions and what supporting documentation is required?

Accepted Answer

The property value as per the title deed must be at least AED1 million and less than AED2 million. The differential (AED2 million minus the value as per the title deed) must be secured in a 3-year fixed deposit account in a UAE-based bank. Applicants must submit the title deed and a stamped letter from the bank, addressed to the Dubai Land Department, stating that the amount is in a 3-year fixed deposit.

Question 16

Do all sorts of properties qualify – residential, commercial, empty plot, etc.?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all sorts of properties will be accepted.

Question 17

Is the AED2 million property criteria applicable for an off-plan property or are only ready properties considered?

Accepted Answer

Off-plan properties will not be accepted under the financial eligibility criteria.

Question 18

Will you accept a property title deed for a leasehold property or are only freehold properties allowed?

Accepted Answer

Both leasehold and freehold properties are acceptable.

Question 19

Will you consider properties in other emirates (e.g. Abu Dhabi)?

Accepted Answer

We can only consider properties that are located in Dubai.

Question 20

Can my property be mortgaged?

Accepted Answer

The property must be fully paid, with no outstanding mortgage.

Question 21

I would like to qualify using the AED2 million eligibility criteria. Should the property be in my name or can it be in the name of a family member?

Accepted Answer

The property can only be in your name or in the name of your spouse in order to realise the full value of the property.

Question 22

I would like to qualify using the AED 2 million eligibility criteria but I co-own the property with someone else. Can you elaborate on how you will assess my situation?

Accepted Answer

If the property is co-owned by multiple parties, then your share of the ownership of the property, as per the title deed, must be at least AED 2 million – except in the case that the property is co-owned only by the applicant and his/her spouse, in which case, the full property value may be assumed. The co-owner may be anyone (i.e. does not need to be a relative).

Question 23

Can I have multiple properties that add up to the required AED2 million?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we will consider the sum of your property value, as per the title deeds.

Question 24

Can I apply for the retirement visa if I currently reside in another emirate or country, but own AED2 million property in Dubai?

Accepted Answer

Applicants may be based anywhere in the world. However, please note that once your documentation is approved, you (and anyone you may be sponsoring) must visit Dubai to complete the application process before you are issued the retirement visa.

Question 25

Can I qualify on the grounds that my son / daughter, who has AED  million in his/her bank account, adds me as a joint account holder?

Accepted Answer

No. The bank account with your savings must solely belong to you or your spouse.

Question 26

What is an end of service letter?

Accepted Answer

The end of service letter is required for all applicants who are applying on the basis of salary (AED20,000 monthly) or savings (AED1 million) financial criteria, to prove that they are qualified retirees who have worked in the past.

Local applicants: An end of service letter from their last employer, which should validate that they are a retiree and specify the number of years of service.

International applicants: A letter from their social services or an equivalent entity detailing that the applicant is retired, and attested by the UAE embassy in the state in which the letter has been issued. This then has to be translated via a legal firm into Arabic and attested by the law firm. The letter will require to be attested one last time via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in the UAE before submitting the application.

Question 27

If my property has appreciated since purchase, can you consider the current market value (via a property valuator) instead of the title deed?

Accepted Answer

If the current value of the property exceeds the value as per the title deed, please contact the Dubai Land Department Cube Centre. Such applications will handled on a case-by-case basis.

Question 28

If I qualify on the grounds of having savings of AED1 million, can I still access these funds?

Accepted Answer

No. The AED1 million must be secured in a 3-year fixed deposit account.

Question 29

What asset types (e.g. stock portfolio, national bonds, fixed deposits) can be considered as part of the AED1 million?

Accepted Answer

Your savings must be cash. Alternate forms of investment will not count towards the financial eligibility criteria.

Question 30

In case my supporting documents are in another language (e.g. bank statement or salary certificate), what do I need to do?

Accepted Answer

Please ensure that all documents are translated and attested for a faster processing. However, if you are unable to complete this process, submit the translated document with the original and, upon your arrival in Dubai, these documents are to be translated and authorised locally.

Question 31

Do I require health insurance in order to apply for the visa? When must I purchase a plan?

Accepted Answer

You can commence your application without having medical insurance coverage in hand. Upon approval of your documentation, you will be invited to conduct a medical test. Thereafter, you are required to purchase a medical insurance plan that suits you in order to complete the application requirements.

Question 32

When applying for the visa, do I only have to purchase (and provide documentation for) healthcare insurance for the first year?

Accepted Answer

Yes, although the retirement visa is valid for 5 years, once your visa has been approved you only need to provide evidence that you have purchased health insurance for one year from the time of your approval. Please note that, as per UAE law, it is mandatory for residents to have valid health insurance, so you will need to renew your health insurance prior to expiry.

Question 33

Do I have to purchase health insurance from one of the partners listed on the website? Can I just opt for basic health insurance?

Accepted Answer

You may purchase any insurance from any provider, as long as they have coverage in the UAE. You are free to opt for the basic plan if you prefer, but we advise that you select a plan that has adequate coverage and benefits.

Question 34

Do local health insurance providers cover COVID-19 expenses?

Accepted Answer

Dependent on the type of health insurance you purchase, some costs related to treatments are included, while tests may not. Please consult your health insurance provider for more information.

Question 35

I have an international insurance from my home country covering the UAE, can this be used to apply?

Accepted Answer

One of the requirements of the Dubai Health Authority is that the health insurance is purchased from a provider that is based in Dubai. In using an international insurance company, the insurance must be purchased from a branch/office that is based in Dubai. This will streamline the overall process for payment, and reimbursement for treatments may be faster in comparison to international health insurance.

If you insist on using your existing health insurance that was purchased abroad (which has coverage in Dubai), please provide a letter from them stating that the package is in line with the requirements of the Dubai Health Authority. Please click here to explore the different options provided specially for this programme. You may purchase any insurance from any provider, as long as they have coverage in the UAE. You are free to opt for the basic plan if you prefer, but we advise that you select a plan that has adequate coverage and benefits.

Question 36

Will the health insurance I purchase locally cover me overseas?

Accepted Answer

Our partners have a wide range of health insurance packages catering to different needs and covering different geographies. International coverage is dependent on the type of health insurance scheme you purchase.

Question 37

With the retirement visa, who am I allowed to sponsor? Is there a limit to the number of people that I can sponsor?

Accepted Answer

The retiree may sponsor his/her spouse and children, with no limit to the number of children under sponsorship. The retiree may not sponsor his/her parents or other family members. Any sponsored member of the family must have valid health insurance with coverage in the UAE.

Question 38

Can I sponsor my children with the visa?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you are able to sponsor your children on the visa. There is no restriction to the number of children you can sponsor or their age/marital status.

Question 39

Can children on my visa also study in Dubai?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you are able to sponsor your children with the visa. Boys need to be under the age of 18, while girls can be sponsored until the age of 21. If they are older, they do not qualify as dependents and will therefore need to apply for their own student visa.

Question 40

Are dependents (spouse and children) required to obtain medical insurance to receive their visa?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Any sponsored member of the family must have valid health insurance with UAE coverage.

Question 41

Can I sponsor domestic help?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you may sponsor domestic help (e.g. maids, drivers, etc.). Sponsorship of domestic help is subject to compliance with Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) regulations and is independent from the retirement visa.

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