With the UAE eager to diversify its resident base, federal authorities have been actively promoting the five-year renewable retirement visa—an option that lets financially secure expatriates aged 55 and above settle long-term without needing a local employer or business licence. Updated guidance released this morning clarifies the costs and documentary hurdles, answering questions that have dogged HR and global-mobility teams since the visa’s soft launch.
To qualify, applicants must satisfy at least one financial test: property ownership worth AED 1 million (≈ USD 270,000); savings of the same amount; or a monthly income of AED 20,000 (USD 5,400). Dubai operates a slightly lower AED 15,000 income threshold. Core fees—application, Emirates ID, medical screening and visa stamping—typically total AED 4,000–5,500 for the principal applicant, with marginal costs for spouses and dependants. Authorities emphasise that comprehensive health insurance is mandatory and must cover the full five-year period.
![Cost Guide: UAE’s 5-Year Retirement Visa Gains Traction Among Expatriates]()
The process is fully digital through the ICP Smart Services portal, though first-time applicants still need to visit a biometric centre to register fingerprints. End-to-end processing now averages 15 working days, down from more than a month in early 2025, thanks to the government’s “Zero Bureaucracy” drive. Renewal is largely automated as long as financial criteria remain met.
For employers, the visa offers a graceful off-ramp for senior executives contemplating retirement without sacrificing their link to the UAE ecosystem. Real-estate developers are already marketing “retire-and-lease-back” packages that bundle property purchases with visa sponsorship, while hospitals are pushing premium health plans tailored to older residents.
Mobility advisers point out that retirees retain the right to own 100 % of mainland companies and can convert to the 10-year Golden Visa if they make larger investments later. They also warn that, unlike employment residence visas, the retirement visa lapses if the holder stays outside the UAE for more than six months at a stretch, so travel patterns should be planned carefully.
To qualify, applicants must satisfy at least one financial test: property ownership worth AED 1 million (≈ USD 270,000); savings of the same amount; or a monthly income of AED 20,000 (USD 5,400). Dubai operates a slightly lower AED 15,000 income threshold. Core fees—application, Emirates ID, medical screening and visa stamping—typically total AED 4,000–5,500 for the principal applicant, with marginal costs for spouses and dependants. Authorities emphasise that comprehensive health insurance is mandatory and must cover the full five-year period.
The process is fully digital through the ICP Smart Services portal, though first-time applicants still need to visit a biometric centre to register fingerprints. End-to-end processing now averages 15 working days, down from more than a month in early 2025, thanks to the government’s “Zero Bureaucracy” drive. Renewal is largely automated as long as financial criteria remain met.
For employers, the visa offers a graceful off-ramp for senior executives contemplating retirement without sacrificing their link to the UAE ecosystem. Real-estate developers are already marketing “retire-and-lease-back” packages that bundle property purchases with visa sponsorship, while hospitals are pushing premium health plans tailored to older residents.
Mobility advisers point out that retirees retain the right to own 100 % of mainland companies and can convert to the 10-year Golden Visa if they make larger investments later. They also warn that, unlike employment residence visas, the retirement visa lapses if the holder stays outside the UAE for more than six months at a stretch, so travel patterns should be planned carefully.
