UAE Visa Cost Calculator
Estimate the total cost of getting a UAE residence visa — employment, family, Golden Visa, freelance, Green Visa, or investor. Includes entry permit, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, visa stamping, and family dependents.
UAE Visa Cost Calculator
Estimate the total government cost of a UAE visa application.
You will enter the UAE on the entry permit, then complete medical and stamping.
Spouse + children sponsored on a family visa.
Estimated total cost
AED 7,525.00
One-time cost. Renewals are charged again at expiry.
Primary applicant
Required to enter the UAE for residency.
Approximate — varies by typing centre.
What goes into the cost of a UAE visa?
A UAE residence visa is not a single payment. It is a stack of separate government fees and one-time services that together get you legal residence and an Emirates ID. Here are the typical components:
1. Entry permit
Around AED 1,175. This is your authorisation to enter the UAE for residency. Issued by the ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) or the GDRFA (Dubai's residence authority).
2. Medical fitness test
Around AED 320 (normal speed). A standard test for tuberculosis and HIV, required for everyone aged 18 and above getting a residence visa. Express (24-hour) and VIP (same-day) options cost more.
3. Emirates ID
Around AED 100 per year of validity, plus typing. So a 2-year Emirates ID is AED 270, a 10-year (Golden Visa) Emirates ID is around AED 1,070. You must collect it in person at an ICP service centre.
4. Visa stamping
Around AED 510. This is the final step where the visa sticker is attached inside your passport.
5. The visa itself
The base visa fee varies enormously by type:
- Employment visa (2-year): ~AED 5,000
- Family visa (2-year): ~AED 1,700
- Golden Visa (10-year): ~AED 2,800
- Green Visa / Remote Work (5-year): ~AED 2,800
- Freelance visa (2-year): ~AED 7,500 (includes freelance permit)
- Investor visa (2-year): ~AED 8,500
- Visit visa (1–3 months): AED 650–1,300
6. Typing centre / PRO fees
Most government applications go through a typing centre, where staff fill out the Arabic forms for you. Typing fees are AED 200–500. If you use a private PRO firm (common for self-sponsored visas), expect AED 1,000–3,000 extra.
Visa types compared
| Visa | Duration | Who pays | Approx. total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | 2 years | Employer | AED 6,000–9,000 |
| Family (per dependent) | 1–3 years | Sponsor (employee) | AED 3,500–5,000 |
| Golden Visa | 10 years | Self | AED 5,000–7,000 |
| Green Visa | 5 years | Self | AED 5,000–6,000 |
| Freelance | 2 years | Self | AED 9,000–12,000 |
| Investor | 2 or 10 years | Self | AED 10,000–15,000 |
Family visa sponsorship — salary requirements
To sponsor your spouse and children on a UAE residence visa, you need to meet a minimum monthly salary requirement:
- AED 4,000 + employer-provided accommodation, OR
- AED 5,000 in cash salary (no accommodation provided)
Some emirates and roles have higher thresholds. You must also have a tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai) for accommodation suitable for the family size.
Status change vs exit-and-return
If you are already in the UAE on a visit visa or different residence visa when applying for a new one, you have two options:
- In-country status change — pay the AED ~750 status change fee and complete the application without leaving the UAE.
- Exit and re-enter — fly to a nearby country (often Oman or Bahrain) for a few hours, then return on the new entry permit. Skips the AED 750 status change fee but adds flight cost.
For most cases the status change is faster and not much more expensive than a weekend Oman trip.
Common hidden costs to watch for
- Attestation of certificates (for employment): AED 200–500 per document.
- Translation of marriage/birth certificates (for family visas): AED 100–300 per document.
- Insurance: Health insurance is mandatory for residence visa issuance — employer-paid for employees, AED 600–2,000+ per person per year if self-sponsored.
- Deposit: Some visa types require a refundable deposit, especially for tourist-to-resident status change.
- Golden Visa endorsement fees: Application channel fees can be AED 1,000–3,000 depending on category.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a UAE employment visa cost?
A standard 2-year UAE employment visa costs roughly AED 6,000–9,000 in total, including entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, and stamping. Most employers pay for the employee's visa, but you may pay if you are sponsoring yourself (freelancer, investor) or your family.
Who pays for a UAE work visa — the employee or the employer?
Under UAE Labour Law, the employer is required to pay for the employee's residence visa, work permit, medical fitness, and Emirates ID for an employment visa. Family/dependent visas are paid by the sponsor (the employee).
What is the cost of sponsoring a family in the UAE?
Sponsoring one dependent (spouse or child) typically costs AED 3,500–5,000 for a 2-year family visa, including entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, and stamping. You need a minimum monthly salary (usually AED 4,000 + accommodation or AED 5,000+) to sponsor family.
How much does the Golden Visa cost?
The Golden Visa government fee is around AED 2,800 for the 10-year residence stamping. However, you also need qualifying eligibility — investor, specialised talent, top student, etc. — and may need additional documents (e.g., certified bank statements, professional certifications). PRO/typing centre fees add another AED 1,000–2,000.
Do I need a medical fitness test?
Yes. All UAE residence visas (excluding short visit visas) require a medical fitness test for applicants aged 18 and above. The test screens for communicable diseases such as TB and HIV. Cost: AED 320 (normal), AED 550 (express, 24 hours), AED 750 (urgent, same day).
What is the cost of an Emirates ID?
Emirates ID government fee is AED 100 per year of validity (e.g., AED 200 for 2 years, AED 1,000 for 10 years), plus a typing fee of around AED 70. So a 2-year Emirates ID typically costs AED 270 in total.
What is "status change" and when do I pay it?
If you are already inside the UAE on a visit visa or another residence visa and want to switch to a new residence visa without leaving the country, you pay a "status change" or "in-country change" fee of around AED 750. Alternatively, you can exit the UAE and re-enter on the new entry permit, which saves the fee but requires international travel.
Are typing centre and PRO fees included?
This calculator includes a standard typing fee, but PRO (Public Relations Officer) service fees vary widely — a freelance PRO may charge AED 500, while a corporate PRO firm can charge AED 2,000–5,000. If your employer handles your visa, these are usually waived.
Sources & references
- Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
- General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA — Dubai)
- UAE Government Portal — Visa & Emirates ID
Disclaimer: Government fees change periodically and may differ slightly between emirates and free zones. PRO and typing centre fees vary by provider. Always verify with ICP, GDRFA, or your sponsor before paying. See our full disclaimer.
Calculator built by Hafiz Hanif. Spotted an outdated fee? Email contact@dubaimoneymatters.com.