The Ultimate Guide to Applying for a Retirement Visa in Dubai

When people reach their retirement age, they usually prefer to travel around the world. And nothing like Dubai, as it is one of the best cities to have a fun and relaxing time. However, there is another side to the city that not a lot of people know about. There are some neighbourhoods in this city that offer a beach facing, calm and serene living environment.

This makes it perfect for people who are seeking to settle down and retire in the same city. But the catch is that you would require a retirement visa to travel to Dubai. This is basically a renewable, long-term visa that is offered to retired expats and their families. In this blog, we will talk about the Dubai retirement visa requirements, process, eligibility, and other factors. Keep reading to know more!

What is a Dubai Retirement Visa?

While the Dubai retirement visa program was originally targeted at the pre-existing citizens of the city, it was later expanded to include other citizens from all over the world. This was done under the guidelines that people from all over the world come to the city for their retirement as they appreciate the sunshine and various amenities the city has to offer. The aim of this visa is not only to focus on the high living standards but also to fuel the economic development of the city.

This visa is granted to people who are above the age of 55 and are considering spending their retirement years in the city. Retirees are given a 5-year renewable visa if they meet certain financial and other eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria for Dubai Retirement Visa

Dubai is one of the most popular destinations for young professionals to work and settle. However, a large number of expats usually shift back to their home countries once they have reached their retirement age. That being said, the visa is only granted to people who meet certain eligibility criteria. Given below are some of the criteria that applicants are required to meet:

• The applicant has to be at least 55 years of age.
• The applicant should have a valid local UAE health insurance policy.

Given below are some of the financial eligibility criteria that the applicants are required to meet in order to get a Dubai retirement visa:

• The applicant should be drawing a monthly salary of at least AED 20,000.
• The applicant should have a savings bank account balance of at least AED 1 million in a Dubai bank.
• The applicant should own a property in Dubai/Abu Dhabi/ wider UAE worth at least AED 2 million.

The visa can be renewed after 5 years if the applicant meets the aforementioned eligibility criteria. The visa that is granted to the applicant is also applicable to their spouse and children. However, girls should be less than 21 years of age, and boys should not be older than 18 years. This is because once the children reach this age, they are no longer considered dependent. They will be required to apply for their own student visa. 

Each sponsored family member of the applicant should have valid health insurance that is applicable in the UAE. It is also important to note that any person who is residing in Dubai on a retirement visa is not allowed to set up any business venture. Further, if the retiree wants to avail of a loan in Dubai, the decision would be completely at the discretion of the financial institution.

Documents Required for Dubai Retirement Visa

Given below are some of the basic documents that have to be submitted by all applicants:

• Copy of passport of the applicants and all the dependents in the family.
• Copy of the marriage certificate, if the applicant is also sponsoring their spouse.
• Copy of the current visa on which the applicant is residing in the city.
• Copy of the applicant’s Emirates ID along with the IDs of the dependents.

Applying for a Dubai Retirement Visa Based on Income

Given below are some of the documents that an applicant will have to submit in order to apply for a retiree visa on the basis of income:

Retirement Letter Proof

This letter acts as proof that the applicant is a qualified retiree. This letter can be submitted in either of the below-mentioned types:

• A commencement of service letter from the last employer. The letter must state that the person is a retiree, along with the number of years of service.
• A commencement letter from social services to the applicant stating that they have retired.

Income Proof Documents

A copy of the applicant’s income proof is also required for submitting the visa application. This is basically a document stating that the applicant receives a minimum of AED 20,000 as a monthly salary. The document should state the retiree’s name and the date of retirement.

The applicant can obtain this letter from their previous employer. If the applicant is receiving their pension from any other entity, they will have to contact them for the income proof documents.

Bank Statement

The applicant is required to submit bank statements of the last 6 months. The bank statement should be divided into 6 different statements, each individually attested by the bank. Keep in mind that any income earned from pension schemes and social services are considered for the application. The applicant should have a savings account in a Dubai-based bank only.

Applying for a Dubai Retirement Visa Based on Savings

Any person wishing to make a visa application based on their savings account will be required to submit a copy of a stamped bank letter stating that the person has been an account holder for more than 3 years. Further, the letter should also state that the applicant has maintained a minimum amount of AED 1 million in their account. Please note that the letter should be in Arabic and needs to be addressed to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

Applying for a Dubai Retirement Visa Based on Property

Any retiree wishing to make a visa application on the basis of property ownership will need to submit a copy of the property’s title deed. The title deed should state that the property value is equal to or more than AED 2 million. In case the property is owned by a business entity, then the applicant should be the sole owner of that business.

Further, there should not be any mortgages associated with the property. In case the applicant has multiple properties with a combined value of AED 2 million, their application will be processed if they are able to meet the above criteria.

Dubai Retirement Visa Application Process

Once you have got all the required documents in order, you will need to email the same along with the application form to retireindubai@dubaitourism.ae. Given below is the timeline for the visa application process:

Deposit the Processing Fees

The applicant will be required to deposit an application processing amount of $92. The amount is non-refundable, regardless of the approval status of the application; this amount is meant for the processing of the application.

Review of Application

After the relevant authorities have received the application processing fee, they will start the application review process. 

Visa Application Status

While the application is being processed, the retiree will get regular status updates regarding the application from the DLD or GDFRA, depending on the basis of the visa application.

Deposit the Retirement Visa and Emirates ID Fees

Once the application has been processed and approved by the authorities, the retiree will have to pay the fees for the Emirates identity card and the retirement visa. The applicant will have to make a payment of AED 2,214.75 per applicant/dependent.

Health Insurance Guidelines for Dubai Retirement Visa

Given below are some of the health insurance related guidelines for applying for a Dubai retirement visa:

• You can start your visa application without having health insurance upfront.
• Once the application is approved, you will be asked to appear for a medical examination.
• Post the medical examination, you will be required to choose a medical insurance plan that is best suited to your needs.
• Even though it is not necessary to buy an insurance policy from local vendors, it is advised that you contact local vendors for a better customer relationship.
• If your current insurance is applicable in the UAE, it can be used for your Dubai retirement visa application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)