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Everything you need to know about the 5-year retirement visa in Dubai, including how do you get it, what are the requirements, and who's eligible.
2 September 2020
| Last updated on 4 October 2020
This five-year visa allows Dubai residents to retire in the emirate
If retirement is on the horizon, Dubai may be a top choice for some long-term residents and citizens from around the world. A world-class healthcare system, heaps of activities and sights to see, a sunny climate, most of the population is English-speaking, and welcoming to expats. And the city is the perfect blend of modern and traditional, efficiently run and safe.
So if you're wondering where to spend your golden years, Dubai clearly has lots to offer, and with the government launching a five-year retirement visa, retiring in this lovely city is possible.
To help you start planning for your future chapter in Dubai, we've compiled all you need to know about the government's new retirement visa, from the visa requirements to how you can apply.
Who's eligible for the Dubai five-year retirement visa?
These are the requirements for a five-year retirement visa in Dubai:
- Applicants must be at least 55 years old
- Applicants must have a valid UAE health insurance
- The UAE health insurance must be bought at least a day before your visa application
- Applicants must fulfill at least one of these four requirements: 1.) Earn a monthly income of minimum AED 20,000; 2.) Have AED 1 million in cash savings; 3.) Own AED 2 million worth of property in Dubai, or; 4.) A combination of Options 2 and 3 valued at least AED 2 million
Retired expats and their spouse can apply for the five-year retirement visa, with the possibility of online automatic renewal, if the retiree continues to meet the above requirements.
How to apply for a five-year retirement visa in Dubai
If you wish to apply for the Dubai five-year retirement visa, simply follow these steps:
- Apply for your visa on Visit Dubai's "Retire in Dubai" site
- Fill in your details in the form
- You will receive an e-mail with further details on the visa application process
On the chance that your application for a five-year retirement visa is not accepted, health insurance providers in the UAE will offer a 30-day refund period after purchase.
The retirement visa programme was developed by Dubai Tourism and the General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs, on the orders of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
The initial phase of this decision focuses on Dubai residents who have worked in the emirate for 10+ years. It aims to boost the city as a preferred retirement destination for both Dubai residents and non-residents around the world.
The initial phase of this decision focuses on Dubai residents who have worked in the emirate for 10+ years, and aims to boost the city as a preferred retirement destination for expats and international retirees.
"The programme offers long-term residents of the city who are familiar with Dubai’s value proposition an easy and hassle-free retirement option," said the Dubai Media Office.
"Dubai’s close proximity with the native countries of a large majority of residents makes it a convenient retirement destination for them," they continued.
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of Dubai Tourism, said the emirate's "retirement readiness strategy" will allow both residents and non-residents around the world to take advantage of the emirate's "open-door policy, tolerance, and outstanding quality of life."
