UAE Retirement Visa

The UAE's 5-year retirement visa allows foreign retirees aged 55 and over to establish long-term residence in any emirate. Introduced in 2020, the program targets financially independent retirees who meet one of three qualifying criteria. The visa is renewable indefinitely, provided the holder continues to satisfy the financial requirements at each renewal.

Applicants must demonstrate financial self-sufficiency through at least one of the following pathways:

• Savings or deposits of at least AED 1.0M held in a UAE bank account
• Monthly income of at least AED 20K from pensions, investments, or other passive sources (AED 15K for Dubai residents)
• Ownership of UAE property valued at AED 1.0M or more, either unmortgaged or with sufficient documented equity

A combination of savings and property is also accepted, provided the combined value meets the AED 1.0M threshold. In addition to age and financial criteria, applicants must have at least 15 years of cumulative work experience, either inside or outside the UAE.

The UAE levies no personal income tax, meaning pension payments, retirement fund withdrawals, investment returns, and rental income remain entirely untaxed. There is no wealth tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax.

This makes the UAE one of the most tax-efficient retirement destinations globally, particularly for retirees receiving pensions or drawdowns from overseas retirement accounts.

Retirement visa holders can sponsor their spouse and dependent children under 18 (or older if enrolled in full-time education). Valid health insurance covering the applicant and all dependents is mandatory. Application fees range from approximately AED 3K to AED 7K depending on the emirate, covering visa issuance, Emirates ID, and the required medical fitness examination.

The retirement visa does not permit employment. However, UAE labour law does not impose a mandatory retirement age, and individuals over 60 can obtain separate work permits with approval from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

There is no minimum physical presence requirement to maintain the visa, and no pathway to UAE citizenship through this program. Naturalization is granted only by sovereign decree after 30 years of continuous residence.