Retired expat residents above the age of 55 can apply for the 5-year long-term visa

The 5-year long-term visa is available to retired foreign nationals who are over 55. The UAE government amended the legislation in November 2021 to let foreign nationals to remain in the nation after retiring. Over 55-year-old residents who are retired may apply for a five-year long-term visa. They may sponsor their spouses and kids as well.

In order for a resident to be granted a retirement visa, they must meet the following requirements:

- A minimum of Dh180,000 per year or Dh15,000 per month in income

- Dh1 million savings in a 3-year fixed deposit

- Dh1 million in property

- A combination of Options 1 and 2, valued at a minimum of Dh1 million in a 3-year fixed deposit and property, worth Dh500,000 each

Selecting one choice is the first step. Should you choose the savings option, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) would be your point of contact. The Dubai Land Department (DLD) is the pertinent body for applications pertaining to property.

To begin a new application for the GDRFA, visit the website, choose the 'Individuals' login option, and register. You may complete the online form by following the on-screen instructions.

In order to proceed with the application for the DLD, the applicant must physically visit the office of the real estate regulatory body.

 

Documents required:

All four options require the following documents:

1. Passport copy of applicant and dependents – spouse and children

2. Marriage certificate copy – if you are sponsoring your spouse

3. Copy of current visa of applicant and dependents – if you are a UAE resident

4. Copy of Emirates IDs of applicant and dependents – if you are a UAE resident

 

The additional documents required depend on the option you choose:

For Option 1, the income-based application, you need:

- Proof of income: The beneficiary's name and the start date must appear on this document. It can be a letter from the applicable organisation that provides the source of income (such as a pension plan), a letter from your former employer confirming that they are still paying you a monthly retirement income, or supporting documentation proving you have a stable source of income can all be used.

- 6-month bank statement: In addition to being from a bank with a Dubai address and bearing the bank's stamp, the statement must indicate a minimum deposit of Dh15,000 per month or Dh180,000 annually from your source of income.

For Option 2, the savings-based application, you need:

- Proof of retirement: To demonstrate to the authorities that you are a qualified retiree and that you have worked in the past, this is being submitted. A letter from a social assistance agency confirming your retirement or an end-of-service letter from your previous company indicating how long you worked might both be examples of this.

- Proof of savings: This is a bank letter from a UAE-based bank that has been stamped and is in Arabic. The letter, which has to be written to GDRFA, should specify that the Dh1 million in funds are in a 3-year fixed deposit at a UAE bank.

For Option 3, the property-based application, you need:

- Copy of title deed: The property must be registered in the applicant's name (not the spouse's) and the title deed must attest to its Dubai location and Dh1 million minimum worth.

- Should the property be held by a business, the applicant must own a 100% stake in the business. If ownership is split, the applicant's portion must be at least Dh1 million.

- The property must be paid in full, if it is not mortgaged, and the minimum payment required if it is, is Dh1 million. The property can't be off-plan.You can put forward multiple properties with a combined value of Dh1 million, as long as they meet all the criteria.

For Option 4, the property-and-savings-based application, you need:

- Copy of title deed: The title document must be issued by DLD and the property must be situated in Dubai. It must be at least Dh500,000 in worth. The other requirements are the same as mentioned previously.

- Proof of savings: This is an Arabic-language bank letter with stamps from a UAE-based bank that lists the balance. If the property is valued at Dh500,000, the statement should indicate savings of at least Dh500,000, making the total Dh1 million. The letter, which has to be written to GDRFA, should specify that the Dh500,000 million in savings are in a 3-year fixed deposit at a UAE-based bank.

 

Cost incurred:

In the event that the GDRFA or DLD accepts your application, each applicant will need to pay Dh3,714.75 in total. The sum pays for all visa-related costs, including entrance permits, management fees, residence stamps, Emirates ID, medical examination, and visa status adjustments.