UAE retirement visa: whether a home alone qualifies depends on which authority reads the rules

The UAE government portal and Dubai's conditions tie the home route to savings of the same amount held beside it, while the federal identity authority's page lists a home on its own as enough. Before buying a home for this visa, get the issuing authority's answer in writing.

A retiree who buys a home for this visa may still need savings of the same amount, depending on which authority issues the permit. The government portal sets two routes, and you meet one: one or more homes worth at least the figure above together with savings of at least the same amount, or a fixed yearly income. Dubai's conditions say the same.

Not every official page agrees. The federal identity authority's service page lists a home, a deposit and an income as three separate routes, with a higher income figure than the portal's. Before buying, ask the authority that will issue your permit which reading it applies, and keep its answer.

Who can apply

The portal and Dubai ask for an age of 55 or more and at least 15 years of work; the federal identity authority's page accepts either one. The permit lasts five years and can be renewed on the same terms.

How each part is proved

• The home: its value, at purchase or market price, is assessed by the competent authority in the emirate. A mortgaged home counts if the amount already paid off reaches the same threshold.
• The savings: they can start abroad, but both Dubai and the federal authority require them in a UAE financial institution within 60 days of the permit, unless the money is invested in the country.
• The income: fixed, from inside or outside the UAE, shown with six months of bank statements. The portal gives a lower general figure than Dubai's; the federal authority's page gives the higher one everywhere, so plan on the higher figure.

Fees to the authority, fees to the firm

To the issuing authority:

• The permit and identity card fees. Dubai and the federal authority publish different schedules, both higher if you apply from inside the country, so no single government figure is shown above: ask for an itemised list.

To the firm:

• An agent's service fee and, on a purchase, the broker's commission, each priced apart from the home.

Before signing for a home or a visa package, ask:

1. Which authority will issue your permit, and has it confirmed whether the home needs savings beside it?
2. Has the emirate's valuing authority put the home at or above the threshold?
3. If the home is mortgaged, how much of the loan has been paid off?
4. Where will the savings be held, and will they reach a UAE institution within 60 days of the permit?
5. Which income figure applies in your emirate, and do six months of statements show it?

If a developer's offer promises this visa, or an agent has quoted for the application, say yes at the box's first question and the document is compared, line by line, with the published rules; otherwise say no and enter the savings you plan to hold. The check compares a document or a figure with the published rules, and does not look at your application or advise on it; for advice on your own case, speak to a qualified immigration lawyer.

General information, not legal advice.