UAE 5-year residence visa for retired expats: Everything you need to know
Expat residents over the age of 55 can apply for a five-year residence visa in the UAE.
However, there is an eligibility criteria for residents to meet before obtaining the residence visa. It is also worth noting that the visa is renewable.
According to the official UAE government website, individuals who have reached the age of 55 and have retired can apply for a long-term visa that is valid for 5 years.Residence visa requirements for retirees
The retiree must meet certain requirements. These include:
Having worked for a minimum of 15 years, either within or outside the UAE, or being 55 years of age or older at the time of retirement.
Additionally, they need to fulfill one of the following financial criteria: owning properties worth at least AED1 million, possessing financial savings of at least AED1 million, or having a monthly income of AED20,000 (AED15,000 for Dubai).
The retiree is also required to provide their bank statements from the previous six months as proof. If the eligibility criteria are met, the visa can be renewed after the initial 5-year period, the website reads.
Dubai residents over the age of 55 can choose from the following options. These are as follows:
They can either have a minimum yearly income of AED180,000 (or AED15,000 per month)
Savings of AED1 million in a 3-year fixed deposit
Own a property valued at AED1 million, or
Have a combination of options, such as a 3-year fixed deposit and property, both totalling at least AED1 million (with the fixed deposit and property each worth AED500,000)
Recently, Dubai also scrapped the 10-day grace period for tourist visa holders. The grace period was previously granted to visitors whose tourist visas had expired.
Those who overstay their visas will be subject to a daily fine of AED50.
Dubai was the last emirate to implement the elimination of the grace period, compared to the other emirates.
However, individuals have the option to apply for a 30-day visa extension to legally stay in the country, as stated by an agent from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP). Here is a guide to extend your visit visa for 60 days.
In October 2022, the UAE Cabinet approved several changes to the visa system, one of which was extending the validity of all entry visas to 60 days from the date of issue.
The purpose of this decision was to cater to tourists and streamline the visa application process. Previously, tourists had the choice of applying for 30-, 60-, or 90-day visas.