UAE Survival Guide

Visas & Residency

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UAE Visa Costs & Types: What You Actually Need to Know

Every visa “cost” you’ll find online is really a range — it depends on your emirate, whether you use an agent, and what’s bundled in (medical test, Emirates ID, insurance). What matters more than the exact AED figure is knowing which visa fits your situation and what you’re eligible for.

Employment visa (employer-sponsored)

Typically AED 3,000–7,000 all-in, and usually covered by your employer, not you. Valid for 2 years, renewable. This is the standard route for most salaried residents.

Golden Visa (10-year, self-sponsored)

No employer needed. You typically qualify through one of these routes:

  • Skilled professional: salary of AED 15,000+/month plus a bachelor’s degree (or specialised diploma) in an eligible field.
  • Freelancer/self-employed: valid freelance permit plus annual income of AED 360,000+.
  • Investor: property investment of roughly AED 2 million+, or documented business investment.

Government fees are commonly reported in the AED 2,800–6,000 range, though figures vary a lot by source and what’s included — always confirm the exact current fee on the ICP or GDRFA portal for your case rather than relying on a third-party estimate.

Green Visa (5-year, self-sponsored)

A lower bar than the Golden Visa: same AED 360,000+ income threshold for freelancers, but you don’t need to demonstrate specialist expertise in a specific field. A good middle option if you want independence from an employer without meeting the stricter Golden Visa criteria.

Family/dependent visa

To sponsor a spouse, children, or (separately) parents, you generally need a minimum salary of around AED 4,000/month (or AED 3,000 plus employer-provided accommodation). Cost is typically AED 2,200–5,500 per dependent, covering visa processing and mandatory health insurance.

Freelance visa (via free zone)

Combines a free-zone freelance permit with a residence visa. Total first-year cost (permit + visa + medical + Emirates ID) commonly runs AED 10,000–25,000 depending on the free zone — this varies more than any other visa type, so compare free zones directly before committing.

Costs everyone forgets to budget for

  • Mandatory health insurance (self-sponsored visa holders must arrange their own — basic plans from around AED 600/year)
  • Medical fitness test (required for all residence visas)
  • Document attestation for degrees/certificates from outside the UAE — can take 2–6 weeks, start early
  • Overstay fines if you let a visa lapse — commonly cited around AED 50–125/day depending on visa type, so don’t delay renewal

Last verified July 2026. Visa fees are reported inconsistently across sources depending on what’s bundled in and which agent/free zone is involved — treat the figures above as planning ranges, not quotes, and confirm the exact current fee for your specific case on the official ICP (icp.gov.ae) or GDRFA portal before applying.

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