Dubai – Mubasher: In view of the sky-high housing prices in Britain, Dubai could make a favorable, easy-on-pocket destination for most British retirees that have had their working life there, thanks to the new visa regulations recently passed by the government.

The new five-year visa rule for the expat retirees has been widely hailed by experts that deem the move as an opportunity for the expat workers to continue having the same lifestyle they used to enjoy during their work life in the Middle Eastern country and to further spur other to retire in Dubai.

Amid the housing crisis in the European country, and by virtue of the UAE’s new visa extension, the British expats in the GCC nation would then be able to purchase a housing unite and remain in Dubai besides their families,  experts added.

“It may not entice British nationals choosing Dubai as a retirement destination over places such as Spain given the visa is only for five years. A lot of Brits look to retire to warmer countries based around their families, or close to their families,” Chris Slater-Jones, financial advisor told Arabian Business on Monday.

The UAE has the largest British community in the Middle East, with an estimated population of 24,000 British inhabiting the Gulf country.

The new visa rule is expected to roll out next year.