UAE Visa Cost Calculator 2026 — Tourist, Employment, Golden & Green Visa Fees

UAE Visa System Overview

The United Arab Emirates visa system is managed by three primary government entities: the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP), which handles visa policy at the federal level; the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), which manages emirate-specific visa processing (most notably in Dubai); and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), which handles employment-related permits and labor cards.

The UAE offers 15+ distinct visa types in 2026, ranging from short-term tourist visas (30 days) to long-term Golden Visas (10 years). The cost structure typically includes several components:

• Application/processing fee — paid to ICP or GDRFA
• Medical examination — mandatory fitness test (blood test + chest X-ray)
• Emirates ID — biometric identity card (required for all residents)
• Visa stamping — passport endorsement
• Typing/service center fees — document processing at authorized centers
• Health insurance — mandatory for all residents

Understanding these cost components helps you plan your salary budget and avoid surprise expenses when relocating to the UAE.

Tourist Visa — Complete Guide

Tourist visas are the most commonly issued UAE visas, with millions processed annually. They come in two main types — single entry and multiple entry — across three durations:

Extensions

Tourist visas can be extended for 30 days at a time from inside the UAE. The cost per extension is approximately AED 1,100 (AED 600 base + AED 500 in-country fee + VAT). Most tourist visas allow up to two extensions, giving a maximum total stay of 120–180 days. Apply before your current visa expires — overstay fines start immediately.

Employment Visa — Full Breakdown

The UAE employment visa is issued for 2–3 years and is always sponsor by the employer. The total cost ranges from AED 3,000 to AED 7,000, with the most significant variable being the company's MoHRE classification:

Senior Worker Surcharge

Foreign workers aged 65 and above incur an additional one-time surcharge of AED 5,000 on top of standard visa fees. This applies to both new visas and renewals.

Golden Visa — Everything You Need to Know

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency program offering 5 or 10-year renewable residency. It's self-sponsored (no employer needed) and offers unique benefits including 0% income tax, family sponsorship, and no requirement for a local sponsor.

Golden Visa Categories & Costs

For property investors, the property value is the eligibility criterion, not an additional cost. If you're considering property investment, use our Mortgage Calculator to estimate monthly payments on a qualifying property worth AED 2M+.

Family Sponsorship on Golden Visa

Golden Visa holders can sponsor their spouse, children (of any age — unlike regular visas), and household staff. Each dependent costs approximately AED 5,870–8,270 including visa application, medical test, Emirates ID, and health insurance.

Green Visa — Self-Sponsored Residency

The UAE Green Visa is a 5-year self-sponsored residency introduced to attract freelancers, skilled employees, and business investors who don't qualify for the Golden Visa but still want independence from employer sponsorship.

Key benefits: 6-month grace period after expiry (vs. 30 days for regular visas), ability to sponsor spouse, children up to 25, unmarried daughters of any age, and parents. No employer sponsorship needed — you can change jobs freely.

Family Visa & Sponsorship

UAE residents can sponsor immediate family members for dependent/family residence visas. The cost is approximately AED 4,000–7,000 per dependent, and you must meet minimum salary thresholds:

Use our Salary Calculator to check if your net monthly salary meets these thresholds. Sons can be sponsored up to age 25; unmarried daughters and children with special needs have no age limit.

Student & Job Seeker Visas

Student Visa

The UAE student visa costs approximately AED 3,370 and is valid for 1 year, renewable annually. It's sponsored by the educational institution and allows part-time work (up to 20 hours/week during term, full-time during breaks) with university permission and a work permit from the Labor Department.

Job Seeker Visa

Introduced for professionals and graduates from top universities, the job seeker visa costs AED 700 (60 days) to AED 1,800 (120 days). It cannot be renewed but can be converted to an employment visa if you secure a job. Eligibility: bachelor's degree from a top 500 globally-ranked university or recognized professional qualifications.

Remote Work & Retirement Visas

Remote Work Visa (Digital Nomad)

The remote work visa allows foreign professionals working for international companies to live in the UAE for 1 year (renewable). Total cost: approximately AED 5,390. You must earn at least USD 5,000 per month (AED 18,360) and provide employment proof. You benefit from 0% personal income tax while enjoying UAE residency.

Retirement Visa

For retirees aged 55 and above, the retirement visa offers 5-year residency costing approximately AED 7,420. Eligibility requires one of: property valued at AED 1,000,000+, bank savings of AED 1,000,000+, or monthly income of AED 15,000+. Family members can be sponsored.

New 2025 Visa Categories

Effective August 10, 2025, the UAE introduced four new visa categories to attract global talent and promote specific sectors:

The AI Professional Visa is particularly notable — it reflects the UAE's strategic focus on becoming a global AI hub, complementing the country's existing investments in artificial intelligence and technology infrastructure.

Overstay Fines & Grace Periods

Overstaying your UAE visa incurs a fine of AED 50 per day, plus an exit service fee of AED 100–350. The fines accumulate quickly:

How to Apply

UAE visa applications can be submitted through several channels depending on the visa type:

Cost-Saving Tips

1. Use official channels — Apply directly through ICP or GDRFA to avoid agency markups of AED 200–500.
2. Check visa-on-arrival eligibility — 98+ nationalities get free 30-day entry; don't pay for a tourist visa unnecessarily.
3. Golden vs Green — If you meet both criteria, compare total costs; the Green Visa may be cheaper for freelancers.
4. Time your extensions — Renew or exit before your visa expires to avoid AED 50/day overstay fines.
5. Negotiate employment packages — Ensure your employer covers all visa costs (it's the law) and ask about family sponsorship support.
6. Compare free zones — Employment visa costs vary by free zone; some offer packages as low as AED 2,500.
7. Group family applications — Processing multiple dependents together can save typing and service center fees.
8. Use the right salary benchmark — Know if your salary qualifies for family sponsorship before incurring costs.
9. Consider remote work visa — If you work for an overseas company, it costs ~AED 5,400/year with 0% income tax.
10. Convert visa fees to your currency — Plan your budget accurately before arriving in the UAE.