Dubai: If you are about to reach the age of retirement but would like to continue working in the UAE, there are special provisions in the UAE Labour Law that you should know about. While according to the UAE labour law, a worker who is recruited cannot be less than 18 and not more 60 years old, the law also provides provisions in cases where minors or seniors may need to be recruited, following special approvals from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). Here is all you need to know.
Retirement age in the UAE
The retirement age for expatriate residents in the UAE is 60, according to the UAE government’s official website. Expatriates who are older than 60 are allowed to work up to the age of 65 after obtaining an approval from MOHRE.
In the case of hiring workers above the age of 60, Article 3 of Ministerial Resolution No. (52) for 1989 states the situation in which work permits can be issued. The article states: “The maximum age limitation, however, may be waived if the employee to the recruited shall have an extensive and rare experience in the field of his specialisation provided for the job he has been recruited for employment in the UAE, shall be of economic importance such wavier shall be sanctioned by the Minister.”
Work permit fees and application for individuals above 65 years
According to MOHRE, the process for application for the work permit for a resident above the age of 60 or even 65 is similar to the normal process. You can read our detailed guide on how to apply for a work permit in the UAE, here.
Normal work permit costs can vary from Dh500 to Dh3,200, depending on the company category, employee’s skill designation (skilled or unskilled) and the type of contract (limited or unlimited).
However, the fees for issuing an initial approval for a work permit for those who are 65 and above is Dh5,000 every two years, according to MOHRE.
After the work permit is issued, the sponsoring company arranges to complete the formalities of medical testing, obtaining the Emirates ID Card, Labour Card and stamping the residency permit on the employee’s passport within 60 days.
Retirement visa
You can also opt for a retirement visa, if you meet certain criteria set by the UAE’s authorities for the issuing of this visa. In September 2018, the UAE Cabinet approved a law to provide retired residents over the age of 55 a long-term visa for a period of five years. The visa may also be renewed if the eligibility criteria are met.
For a retiree to be eligible for a five-year renewable retirement visa, he or she must fulfill one of the following criteria:
• invest in a property worth AED 2 million
• have financial savings of no less than AED 1 million
• have an active income of no less than AED 20,000 per month.
Dubai also announced a Retirement Visa for residents and visitors who are interested in living in the UAE after the age of 55. You can read all about the requirements in our detailed guide here.
