Retiring in United Arab Emirates: the visa situation
As of our last check, United Arab Emirates offers a dedicated retirement route: the Residence visa for the retired (5-year renewable retirement visa).
The income requirement is on the high side, so check carefully that your income clears it. Applicants must be at least 55 and have worked at least 15 years, then meet one option: own property worth at least AED 1 million; hold financial savings of at least AED 1 million; or have an annual income of at least AED 180,000 (about AED 15,000, roughly USD 4,080, per month). In Dubai the income threshold is higher at AED 240,000 per year (about AED 20,000, roughly USD 5,445, per month).
The retirement visa is granted for 5 years and can be renewed if the criteria are still met; income may come from inside or outside the UAE. The property-plus-savings route requires AED 1 million in property and AED 1 million in savings.
Verified against u.ae, last checked 2026-07-03.
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Applicants must be at least 55 and have worked at least 15 years, then meet one option: own property worth at least AED 1 million; hold financial savings of at least AED 1 million; or have an annual income of at least AED 180,000 (about AED 15,000, roughly USD 4,080, per month). In Dubai the income threshold is higher at AED 240,000 per year (about AED 20,000, roughly USD 5,445, per month).
The retirement visa is granted for 5 years and can be renewed if the criteria are still met; income may come from inside or outside the UAE. The property-plus-savings route requires AED 1 million in property and AED 1 million in savings.
Before you act on this
Visa rules, income thresholds and processing practice change, sometimes with little notice. This page reflects what we could verify on the dates shown, nothing more. Always confirm the current requirements with the official immigration authority or a licensed immigration adviser before making plans, and treat the linked source as the authority, not us.
See how United Arab Emirates scores overall
The visa is one of six axes. RetireScore 77/100, ranked 12 of 40 countries on the default weights.