Retired expatriates can obtain five-year residence visa in UAE
- 02 Jun 2023
Emaduddin Khalil, Staff Reporter
The UAE Digital Government (UAE DGov) called on retired expatriates to apply for a 5-year residence visa in the UAE, according to the criteria required for obtaining this type of visa.
The UAE DGov stressed that a resident over the age of 55 can apply for a 5-year residence visa to live in the UAE, noting that this type of visa is renewable after meeting the same requirements.
To be eligible to obtain this type of visa, a retired expatriate must fulfill either of the below requirements: his service before retirement must be no less than 15 years inside or outside the UAE, he must be no less than 55 years old, he must own a real estate or more worth no less than Dhs1 million, he must have financial savings of Dhs1 million or must get a monthly income of Dhs20,000 (Dhs15,000 in Dubai) and must submit a bank statement for the past six months, the UAE DGov said.
Retired expatriates are required to login https://www.visitdubai.com/ar/retire-in-dubai/plan-your-retirement to learn about the programme in Dubai and how to apply for the visa, it added.
Foreigners as well as their wives and children can be eligible for a 5-year residence visa, which can be renewed as long as the retiree meets the eligibility requirements, it said.
Financial options include 1) an annual income equal to or greater than Dhs180,000 ($49,000) or Dhs15,000 ($4,100) per month, 2) savings of Dhs1 million ($275,000) in a fixed deposit for three years, 3) investment in Dhs1-million non-mortgaged real estate and 4) a combination of the first and third options for investing no less than Dhs1 million in a fixed deposit for three years.
On the other hand, the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) states that tourists holding visit visa of 30 or 60 days now can extend their visas for another 30 days without exiting the country.The authorities said that after the issuance of the visit visa, the tourist must enter the country within 60 days from the date of issuance, and the validity of the entry permit will be 30 days or 60 days, depending on the visa sought.
The tourist must leave the country or extend the entry permit before expiration to avoid being fined with Dhs100 for each day, according to ICP.
In 2022, the UAE made major reforms to visa procedures.
According to the reformed services, an individual can obtain a visit visa for 30 or 60 days.
After which the tourist will be eligible for an additional 30-day stay, which he/she must apply immediately to avoid fines.
The authorities clarified that the maximum extension period for a visit visa is 120 days.
ICP also made it possible to extend the visa for a period of 30 days through the ICP’s smart channels, but it is not allowed to apply for residency renewal if the residency validity is more than 6 months (separate residency services).