Retirement visa — 55+ with AED 1M assets / property / pension

Build a UAE Retirement Visa strategy for [CLIENT_NAME], age [AGE], qualifying via [QUALIFYING_TRACK] with [ASSET_VALUE_AED]. Spouse age: N/A.

§1 — UAE RETIRE VISA OVERVIEW (80-100 words)
Introduced 2018, expanded 2022 under Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022. Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs + Port Security (ICP) administers. Key features:
  • 5-year residence permit
  • Renewable indefinitely on continued eligibility
  • Self-sponsored; no employer or local sponsor required
  • Family sponsorship of spouse + children (children must meet age/status thresholds same as Golden Visa)
  • Minimum age 55
  • Multiple-entry; no minimum stay requirement
  • Designed for non-UAE-national retirees seeking long-term UAE residency

§2 — THREE QUALIFYING TRACKS (130-160 words)
Cabinet Resolution + ICP implementing rules permit ONE of:

(a) PROPERTY TRACK — AED 1,000,000 minimum property value
  • Free + clear OR mortgaged with AED 1M+ equity
  • Residential property only (not commercial / off-plan with <50% paid)
  • Title deed (Tabu) registration
  • Land Department valuation

(b) SAVINGS TRACK — AED 1,000,000 in fixed deposit
  • UAE-licensed bank fixed deposit
  • Minimum 3-year lock-in
  • Cannot be jointly held (sole-named)
  • Bank certificate confirming amount + lock-in
  • [VERIFY] some emirates accept AED 500,000 in certain savings products

(c) PENSION TRACK — AED 20,000/month income
  • Verified pension OR investment income from regulated sources
  • Pension provider letter
  • Bank statements showing 6+ months consistent inflows
  • For Indian retirees: government / PSU / EPF pension OR rental income from Indian property + bank documentation OR investment income from regulated mutual funds

§3 — DOCUMENT PACKAGE (90-110 words)
Common documents:
  • Passport bio page (validity 6+ months)
  • Photo (white background, 4.3×5.5cm)
  • Age proof (passport / birth certificate)
  • Marriage certificate (if spouse joining) — ATTESTED chain (India: state → MEA → UAE Embassy → UAE MOFA)
  • Police certificate from country of residence
  • Health insurance valid in UAE for 1+ year
  • Medical fitness test (post-arrival)
  • Qualifying-track-specific:
    - Property: Tabu title + Land Department valuation
    - Savings: Bank fixed deposit certificate + lock-in confirmation
    - Pension: Pension provider letter + bank statements
  • Application via ICP / Amer / TamM
  • Fees: AED 2,500-3,500 (entry permit + status change + Emirates ID + medical + insurance setup)

§4 — INDIAN-COHORT RETIREES (90-110 words)
Particularly attractive for Indian retirees with:
  • UAE-based adult children (sponsorship parent under children's Golden Visa is alternative)
  • Rental income from Indian property meeting AED 20k/month threshold (~INR 4.5L+)
  • Investment income from regulated Indian mutual funds + PMS portfolios
  • Government / PSU / EPF pension supplemented by other income to reach AED 20k/month
  • Family-based emotional ties to UAE (children + grandchildren residents)
Decisions:
  • Property track: requires AED 1M+ liquidity transfer under FEMA-LRS (USD 250k/year × multi-year)
  • Pension track: requires reliable verifiable Indian income converted to AED equivalent
  • Health insurance: senior insurance costs AED 8,000-25,000/year depending on coverage

§5 — TAX + RESIDENCY IMPLICATIONS (80-100 words)
UAE: no personal income tax. Retirement income tax-free in UAE.
India: residency status under Indian Income-Tax Act §6:
  • If 182+ days in India in tax year → resident, globally taxable
  • If <182 days but 60+ days + 365+ days in prior 4 years → resident under second test
  • Genuine UAE residents spending <120 days in India → Non-Resident Indian (NRI); only India-source income taxable
DTAA between India + UAE: avoid double taxation on Indian-source income. NRO/NRE bank accounts for repatriation. Carry FEMA-LRS compliance for outward remittance.

§6 — RENEWAL + EXIT (40-60 words)
Renewal at 5 years subject to maintaining qualifying track (property still owned, savings still locked, pension still active). Health insurance must continue. Exit: voluntary cancellation; 6-month grace period. Loss of residency may impact Emirates ID, bank account, property registration — plan transitions carefully.

End with: "DRAFT RETIREMENT VISA STRATEGY — for review by UAE-licensed PRO + cross-border tax adviser. [QUALIFYING_TRACK] documentation must be airtight; ICP verifies bank certificates + property valuations independently. For Indian retirees with multiple income streams, the pension track is often simplest — bundle EPF + rental + investment income to AED 20k/month equivalent."