How much is a residence visa in Dubai and the UAE in 2026? A standard 2-year residence visa costs about AED 2,300 to 3,000 in total when processed inside the UAE at normal speed with basic health insurance. That covers the change of status (AED 520–750), medical test (AED 270), Emirates ID (about AED 370), the GDRFA residency fee (about AED 500–600), insurance and typing. Fast-track medicals and better insurance take it to AED 3,500–5,000. A family visa costs about AED 2,300–3,200 per dependant, and the 10-year Golden Visa about AED 4,500–5,500.
If you are on an employment visa, your employer must pay all of this under UAE labour law. The figures below matter if you are sponsoring family, self-sponsoring, running a company or checking whether a quote you have been given is fair.
Dubai residence visa fees 2026: line-by-line breakdown
| Fee | 2-year employment / residence visa (AED) | Family visa, per dependant (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Change of status (only if already inside the UAE) | 520 – 750 | 520 – 750 |
| Medical fitness test (standard) | 270 | 270 (18 and over) |
| Emirates ID (2 years) | about 370 | about 370 – 390 |
| GDRFA residency issuance / stamping | about 500 – 600 | about 510 – 560 |
| Health insurance (basic compliant plan) | about 550 – 725 | about 550 – 725+ |
| Typing and service fees | 100 – 300 | 100 – 300 |
| Total, standard processing | about 2,300 – 3,000 | about 2,300 – 3,200 |
| Total with express medical and mid-range insurance | about 3,500 – 5,000 | higher, depends on plan |
Fast-track medical options cost about AED 700 (results in around six hours) or about AED 1,020 (around two hours) instead of AED 270. The entry permit and work permit are separate, earlier costs paid by the employer or sponsor. Breakdown based on fee schedules published by Dubai typing and PRO service providers in 2026; confirm the government portion on the GDRFA or ICP app before paying.
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UAE visa types and fees: cost by type and duration
| Visa | Indicative all-in cost (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2-year residence / employment visa | 2,300 – 5,000 | Lower end with standard medical and basic insurance; employer pays for employment visas |
| 3-year residence visa | 3,700 – 7,700 | Where offered — not every route has a 3-year option |
| Family / dependant visa | 2,300 – 3,200 per person | Standard processing, basic insurance; sponsor must meet the salary threshold |
| Remote work visa (1 year) | 1,535 – 2,725 | Reported first-year cost after the March 2026 fee cut; needs income from a job outside the UAE |
| Green Visa (5-year) | 3,000 – 5,000 | Government fee; medical, Emirates ID and insurance on top |
| Golden Visa (10-year) | 4,500 – 5,500 | Residency step only; property route reaches about 9,500–10,000 with Dubai Land Department charges |
| Renewal (any type) | similar to first issue | No entry permit or status change needed when renewing inside the UAE |
| Visit visa (30, 60 or 90 days) | extension: 600 per 30 days | Not a residence visa. Each in-country extension is AED 500 plus an AED 100 application fee — see visit visa rules |
Is the cost different in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah?
Not by much. Residence visas are a federal matter, so the government fees are close in every emirate, and a standard 2-year visa lands in broadly the same AED 2,300 to 3,000 range wherever you live. What changes is who issues it and what sits around it:
- Who issues it: GDRFA handles Dubai visas. The other six emirates, including Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, go through the federal ICP.
- Health insurance is the biggest difference. In Abu Dhabi the employer must insure the employee and eligible dependants. In Dubai the employer covers the employee and the sponsor pays for family. In Sharjah and the Northern Emirates insurance became compulsory in 2025, with a basic package launched at about AED 320 a year. See healthcare and insurance.
- Medical test: the price depends on the centre and how fast you want the result, not on the emirate.
- Free zones: zones in Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Ajman and elsewhere usually sell the visa inside a licence package. Ask for the visa as a separate line before comparing it with a Dubai mainland quote.
Is there a permanent residence visa for Dubai?
No. The UAE does not issue permanent residency, and no agent can sell you one. Every residence visa has an expiry date and is renewed. The longest is the 10-year Golden Visa, which is renewable for as long as you still qualify and costs about AED 4,500 to 5,500 for the residency step. The 5-year Green Visa is the next longest. See which visa you qualify for.
Golden Visa cost breakdown
- 10-year visa issuance: about AED 2,850
- Medical fitness: about AED 700–750
- Emirates ID (10 years): about AED 1,150–1,190
- Typing and service: AED 100–300, plus health insurance
The property-route threshold for the Golden Visa has reportedly risen to AED 2 million — see our Golden Visa property guide.
Why every quote looks different
A visa cost is never one fee. Some sites quote the government fee alone, others add medical, Emirates ID, insurance and agent charges. A quote that looks cheap is often missing pieces you will pay later. Ask any typing centre for the government fees and its own service charge as separate lines. A new AED 100 ICP smart services fee was also added in 2026.
Employment visa: usually not your cost
Under UAE labour law your employer must pay for your work permit, medical test, Emirates ID and residence visa. If a job offer asks you to pay, or deducts it from salary, report it to MOHRE on 600590000. See what your employer must do.
What changed in 2026
- AED 100 ICP smart services fee added to residence visa applications and renewals.
- Dependant sponsorship salary reportedly raised to AED 4,000 a month — details.
- Employment visas of up to 3 years reportedly available in some cases — details.
- Visitors now need health insurance for the whole stay — details.
- Overstay fines are a flat AED 50 a day in every emirate — visit visa rules.
Cheapest way to get a UAE residence visa
Without an employer or family sponsor, the remote work (Virtual Working Programme) visa is the lowest-cost self-sponsored route. After a fee cut in March 2026 its reported first-year cost is about AED 1,535–2,725 including medical, Emirates ID and insurance. It needs proof of income from a job outside the UAE. Freelance permits are the other common route — compare them in Freelance vs Green Visa.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a 2-year residence visa in Dubai?
About AED 2,300 to 3,000 in total with standard processing inside the UAE and basic health insurance, or AED 3,500 to 5,000 with fast-track medical and better insurance.
How much is a residence visa in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah?
Broadly the same as in Dubai, about AED 2,300 to 3,000 for a standard 2-year visa, because the government fees are set federally. The differences come from health insurance, the medical centre and typing fees.
How much does a family visa cost in Dubai?
About AED 2,300 to 3,200 per dependant with standard processing and basic insurance. The sponsor must also meet the minimum salary requirement.
Who pays for an employment visa in the UAE?
The employer. UAE labour law makes the employer responsible for work permit and residence visa costs. Being asked to pay can be reported to MOHRE.
How much is the medical test for a Dubai visa?
AED 270 for standard processing. Fast-track options cost about AED 700 (around six hours) or about AED 1,020 (around two hours).
How much does the Golden Visa cost?
About AED 4,500 to 5,500 for the residency step, including issuance, medical, a 10-year Emirates ID and typing. The property route reaches about AED 9,500 to 10,000 with Dubai Land Department charges.
Is there a permanent visa for Dubai and how much does it cost?
There is no permanent residence visa in the UAE. The longest option is the 10-year Golden Visa, which is renewable and costs about AED 4,500 to 5,500 for the residency step.
What is the cheapest residence visa in the UAE?
For someone without an employer or family sponsor, the remote work visa is the cheapest, with a reported first-year cost of about AED 1,535 to 2,725. It requires income from a job outside the UAE.
First published 29 August 2026. Fees last checked 27 September 2026; the sections on other emirates and permanent residency were added on 5 October 2026. Fees are indicative and change periodically. Confirm the exact government fee for your case at icp.gov.ae or gdrfad.gov.ae before paying.