Turkey Joins Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, And Other Middle Eastern Nations As UAE Rolls Out 5-Year Retirement Visa To Support Expats In Pursuit Of Long-Term Residency

Published on December 10, 2025

Turkey joins Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and more countries in the Middle East as the UAE introduces its 5-year retirement visa, providing foreign retirees with a stable and long-term residency option. This new initiative allows individuals aged 55 and above to continue living in the UAE without the need for employment, offering an attractive solution for those looking to retire in a tax-friendly environment. With clear financial and experience requirements, the program ensures that retirees can enjoy access to essential services, healthcare, and unrestricted travel, all while living in one of the world’s most dynamic and thriving regions.

The UAE has taken a significant step to attract foreign retirees by launching its 5-year retirement visa program. This initiative allows individuals aged 55 and above to continue residing in the country without the need for employment. With specific eligibility criteria and financial thresholds, the visa provides retirees with long-term residency while granting access to essential services. This program is seen as a strategic move to bolster the UAE’s appeal to expats and retirees, especially those looking to settle in a tax-friendly environment after their working years.

Eligibility Criteria for UAE’s 5-Year Retirement Visa: Financial Conditions and Experience Requirements

To apply for the UAE’s 5-year retirement visa, applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria. First and foremost, applicants must be at least 55 years old. However, age alone does not suffice. Applicants are required to have either 15 years of work experience in the UAE or abroad. This ensures that those applying for the visa have a demonstrated ability to support themselves financially and have a meaningful background that contributes to their residency.

The program offers three main ways for retirees to meet the financial requirements. Applicants must either:

1. Own property worth at least AED 1 million.
2. Maintain savings of AED 1 million.
3. Earn a monthly income of at least AED 20,000.

For those residing in Dubai, the minimum income requirement is reduced to AED 15,000, which makes it easier for residents of the emirate to qualify. This flexibility allows retirees from various financial backgrounds to apply for the visa, as long as they can meet one of the above conditions.

The Cost Breakdown: Understanding the Financial Commitment of the Retirement Visa

The UAE’s retirement visa program comes with various costs that applicants need to budget for. These costs cover government fees, medical examinations, and other necessary documentation.

• Visa Fee: The primary cost for the retirement visa is AED 2,256.75.
• Medical Examination: A mandatory medical examination is required for all applicants, which costs approximately AED 700.
• Emirates ID Fee: The fee for obtaining the Emirates ID, a necessary form of identification for UAE residents, is around AED 653.
• Additional Charges: Other processing charges apply, including AED 2,020 and AED 1,155 for various governmental services.

In addition to these fees, applicants are required to have health insurance, which is not included in the government-related fees. Insurance premiums depend on the applicant’s age and the insurance provider selected. On average, the total cost for the visa, excluding insurance, ranges between AED 2,300 and AED 3,800. This is a relatively affordable investment for individuals looking to live in the UAE long-term, given the benefits and tax advantages associated with the program.

Visa Benefits: A Path to Stability, Healthcare, and Unrestricted Travel

The 5-year retirement visa offers a range of benefits for approved applicants. One of the key advantages is the ability to sponsor a spouse and dependent children under the same permit. This makes it easier for retirees to bring their family members to the UAE, creating a stable and secure living arrangement.

In addition to family sponsorship, retirees are granted access to healthcare services in the UAE, ensuring that they have access to essential medical care. Healthcare in the UAE is known for its high standards, which is an attractive benefit for retirees who may require more frequent medical attention as they age.

Another significant benefit of the 5-year visa is the unrestricted ability to travel in and out of the country. This flexibility is vital for retirees who may want to visit family members in other countries or travel for leisure. The visa is valid for five years, after which it can be renewed as long as the applicant continues to meet the financial and eligibility requirements.

A Long-Term Solution for Retirees: Why the UAE’s Retirement Visa Matters

The UAE’s new retirement visa is part of a broader strategy to diversify its population and economy. The country has long been a hub for expatriates, with foreign workers from all over the world contributing to its economy. With the introduction of the retirement visa, the UAE is now catering to a different demographic—those looking to settle in the country after their professional careers have ended.

The 5-year retirement visa is particularly appealing because of the UAE’s tax policies. The country is known for having no income, property, or wealth taxes, making it an attractive destination for retirees who want to preserve their wealth. The absence of these taxes ensures that retirees can enjoy a higher quality of life without worrying about additional financial burdens.

Moreover, the UAE’s cosmopolitan lifestyle, modern infrastructure, and high standard of living are key factors that make it an ideal destination for foreign retirees. For many, the UAE offers continuity, access to services, and a stable residency status, all within a familiar environment. This is especially important for retirees who may have lived in the UAE for many years and want to continue enjoying the country’s benefits after their working years.

GCC Citizens: Special Privileges and Seamless Residency Pathways

Citizens of GCC countries—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia—receive automatic visa-free entry to the UAE for up to 30 days, with the possibility of extending their stay. This is part of the UAE’s efforts to maintain strong ties with its neighboring GCC states. GCC nationals enjoy seamless residency pathways due to existing privileges, making it easier for them to live and work in the UAE without additional paperwork or applications.

For retirees from GCC countries, the 5-year retirement visa offers an easy transition to long-term residency in the UAE. As they already have the benefit of visa-free entry, applying for the retirement visa can be a straightforward process.

Middle Eastern Nationals: Specific Requirements and Opportunities

Middle Eastern nationals from countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Palestine, and Turkey generally require a pre-arranged visa to enter the UAE, unless they are eligible for visa-on-arrival access. Specific conditions, such as holding a valid US, UK, or EU visa or residency permit, may allow for visa-on-arrival privileges. However, these nationals are not granted the same blanket visa-free access that GCC citizens enjoy.

For Middle Eastern retirees aged 55 and above, the eligibility criteria for the UAE’s retirement visa remain the same as those for other nationals. They must meet the financial thresholds, such as owning property worth AED 1 million, having savings of AED 1 million, or earning a monthly income of AED 20,000. This ensures that all retirees, regardless of their nationality, have an equal opportunity to benefit from the UAE’s retirement visa program.

Expanding Residency Options for Foreigners: A Strategic Move for the UAE

The UAE’s introduction of the retirement visa marks a significant milestone in the country’s evolving residency policies. By expanding its residency categories, the UAE is positioning itself as an attractive destination for retirees, offering them a structured option to remain in the country after their professional careers have ended. This program is aligned with the country’s efforts to diversify its population base and provide long-term solutions for foreign residents.

For retirees, the new visa offers a pathway to a stable and comfortable life in the UAE, complete with access to essential services, healthcare, and the ability to sponsor family members. With the added benefit of the UAE’s tax policies, the retirement visa is likely to attract many foreign nationals looking to enjoy a high quality of life after their working years.

Turkey joins Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and more countries in the Middle East as the UAE introduces its 5-year retirement visa, offering foreign retirees a long-term residency solution. This new visa allows retirees aged 55 and above to live in the UAE without employment, providing access to essential services and a tax-friendly environment.

The UAE’s 5-year retirement visa program offers a significant opportunity for foreign retirees to settle in one of the world’s most dynamic and thriving regions. With favorable financial conditions, a range of benefits, and the absence of income and property taxes, the UAE is positioning itself as an ideal destination for retirees from around the world. Whether coming from GCC countries or further afield, retirees now have a clear path to long-term residency, allowing them to enjoy their golden years in the UAE’s vibrant and cosmopolitan environment.