There are presently over 35 million expatriate employees in GCC nations, and a significant section of the white-collar population may like to retire and stay back in the GCC.
The UAE Government has been launching a series of groundbreaking visa schemes to attract and retain talents, and make the UAE the best place to work and live in.
Recognizing this potential, Dubai Tourism, in collaboration with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA-Dubai), has launched ‘Retire in Dubai,’ a practical framework with certain minimum financial requirements through which residents of Dubai approaching retirement age can apply for a renewable, five-year retirement visa.
In September 2020, the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced the introduction of a Retirement Visa as part of the Retire in Dubai program. The new visa offers resident expatriates and foreigners over 55 years of age the opportunity to stay in the emirate even after completion of work. The new move would contribute to attracting the retired category and support the UAE’s efforts to achieve more flexibility in terms of residency laws and visa requirements. The initiative will strongly contribute to the growth of tourism and also attract high net worth individuals to the UAE
Applicants must be at least 55 years old and must keep valid health insurance that covers the United Arab Emirates. The insurance must be obtained before submitting the visa application.
Who are eligible?
What are the advantages of obtaining a retirement visa?
Holders of the retirement visa can take advantage of the following benefits in addition to being allowed to live in the UAE and enjoy the benefits of a resident.
Sponsorship for their partner and children
Retirees can sponsor their spouse and children with no limit on how many children they can have. It is important to note that in order to sponsor your children, they must be under the age of 18 for boys and under the age of 21 for girls. They are not eligible for sponsorship if they are older than the required ages and must apply for their own visa. Sponsored children will be able to study in UAE.
Multiple entries to the United Arab Emirates
The retirement visa holder is considered a complete resident of the UAE. As a result, they are free to visit and exit the UAE whenever they choose for as long as their retirement visa is valid. In addition, unlike a typical residence visa, retirees will not be forced to stay in the UAE for a set number of days each year.
Accepted cards
