Dubai Visa Costs
Complete breakdown of what every UAE visa actually costs. No hidden fees, no surprises - just real numbers based on 2024 rates.
Quick Cost Overview
Employment visas are free to employees (employers pay ~AED 5,000). Self-sponsored options range from AED 1,100 (Virtual Working) to AED 50,000+ (Investor). Golden Visa costs ~AED 5,000 in fees but requires AED 2M+ investment.
Cost Comparison at a Glance
Side-by-side comparison of all visa types
| Visa Type | Initial Cost | Annual Cost | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Visa | AED 4,000-7,000 | AED 0 (employer renewal) | Employer |
| Golden Visa | AED 4,500-6,000 | AED 0 (10-year validity) | Applicant |
| Freelance Visa | AED 15,000-50,000 | AED 15,000-50,000 | Applicant |
| Investor Visa | AED 20,000-100,000+ | AED 10,000-30,000 | Applicant |
| Virtual Working | AED 1,100-1,500 | AED 1,100-1,500 | Applicant |
| Dependent Visa | AED 3,000-5,000 | AED 2,000-8,000 (insurance) | Sponsor |
| Tourist Visa | Free-AED 1,200 | N/A | Applicant |
Employment Visa
Employer pays: AED 4,000-7,000
Employer pays all costs. These are typical amounts employers budget.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Permit | AED 500-1,000 | Inside or outside country |
| Medical Fitness Test | AED 320 | DHA-approved center |
| Emirates ID | AED 270-370 | 2-3 year validity |
| Visa Stamping | AED 300-500 | Standard or express |
| Work Permit | AED 300-500 | MOHRE fees |
| Labour Card | AED 200-300 | Employee registration |
| Typing Services | AED 200-400 | If using typing center |
Your cost: AED 0 - Employers are legally required to pay all visa costs. If an employer asks you to pay, that's a red flag.
Golden Visa (10 Year)
Visa fees: AED 4,500-6,000 + Investment
Visa fees plus the qualifying investment/asset.
Visa Processing Fees
| Application Fee | AED 2,800 |
| Emirates ID (10 years) | AED 1,100 |
| Medical Fitness Test | AED 320 |
| Insurance Deposit | AED 200-500 |
| Typing/Service Fees | AED 200-400 |
Investment Requirements
Property Investment
AED 2,000,000
Must be fully paid, single or multiple properties
Public Investment Fund
AED 2,000,000
Approved funds only
Business Owner
AED 2,000,000
Company capital + 3 years in business
Salary-Based (Professionals)
AED 30,000/month
Plus bachelor's degree
Freelance Visa
Total: AED 15,000-50,000/year
Annual license fee plus visa costs. Varies significantly by free zone.
Free Zone Package Comparison
| Free Zone | Total Cost/Year | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| IFZA | AED 15,000-20,000 | License, visa, ID, flexi-desk |
| Meydan | AED 12,000-18,000 | License, visa, ID |
| RAKEZ | AED 10,000-15,000 | License, visa, ID (budget option) |
| DMCC | AED 25,000-35,000 | License, visa, ID, premium location |
| Dubai Media City | AED 20,000-30,000 | License, visa, ID (media professionals) |
Other Visa Types
Virtual Working Visa
AED 1,100-1,500
Remote workers earning $5,000+/month from outside UAE.
Application Fee
AED 611
Entry Permit
AED 100
Medical Test
AED 320
Emirates ID
AED 100
Health Insurance
AED 2,000-8,000/year
Dependent Visa
AED 3,000-5,000 per person
Cost per family member sponsored by a resident.
Entry Permit
AED 200-350
Medical Test
AED 320
Emirates ID
AED 100-370
Visa Stamping
AED 300-500
Typing Services
AED 100-200
Health Insurance
AED 2,000-8,000/year
Tourist Visa
Free - AED 1,200
Many nationalities are visa-free. Others need pre-arranged visas.
Visa-Free Entry
Free
30-Day Tourist Visa
AED 300-500
60-Day Tourist Visa
AED 600-900
90-Day Tourist Visa
AED 900-1,200
5-Year Multi-Entry
AED 650-1,000
Investor/Business Visa
AED 20,000-100,000+
Company setup costs plus visa. Investment in business capital required.
Trade License
AED 10,000-30,000
Company Registration
AED 3,000-10,000
Visa Fee
AED 3,000-5,000
Emirates ID
AED 270-370
Medical Test
AED 320
Hidden Costs to Budget For
Expenses beyond the official visa fees
Document Attestation
AED 500-3,000 per document
Foreign documents need attestation from your country's foreign ministry and UAE embassy, then MOFA in UAE.
Translation Services
AED 100-300 per page
Documents not in English or Arabic need certified legal translation.
PRO/Typing Services
AED 100-500 per application
Using a typing center or PRO for government submissions. Not mandatory but saves time.
Bank Account Opening
AED 0-1,000
Some banks charge account opening fees or require minimum balance.
Security Deposit
AED 3,000-5,000
Some employers require this for employment visa (refundable on exit).
Express Processing
50-100% extra
Rush processing is available but costs significantly more.
Money-Saving Tips
- 1
If employed, negotiate for the company to cover all visa and relocation costs in your offer
- 2
Compare free zone packages - budget zones like RAKEZ are 40-50% cheaper than premium zones
- 3
Get documents attested in your home country before arriving - it's much cheaper
- 4
Use GDRFA apps and websites directly instead of typing centers when possible
- 5
Bundle medical test, Emirates ID, and visa stamping appointments to save trips
- 6
For Golden Visa, check if your property/salary already qualifies before paying advisors
- 7
Group dependent visa applications together to save on typing and service fees
Frequently Asked Questions
An employment visa is effectively free to the employee - employers cover all costs. If self-sponsored, the Virtual Working Visa (~AED 1,100) is cheapest if you earn $5,000+/month remotely. Budget freelance visas through RAKEZ or similar zones start around AED 10,000-15,000/year.
Government fees (application, Emirates ID, medical) are fixed. However, typing center fees, PRO services, and free zone packages are negotiable. Always get quotes from multiple providers. Some free zones offer discounts for multi-year commitments or during promotional periods.
Free zones have different pricing strategies. Premium zones (DMCC, DIFC) charge more but offer prestigious addresses and better banking options. Budget zones (RAKEZ, Ajman) are cheaper but may have limited bank choices. The "activity" you choose also affects pricing - consulting is cheaper than trading, for example.
Budget for: document attestation (AED 500-3,000), translation if needed (AED 100-300/page), health insurance (AED 2,000-8,000/year), security deposit for housing (5% of annual rent), and potentially a car (AED 2,000-5,000/month). First month in Dubai typically costs AED 20,000-40,000 all-in.
Government fees are typically paid upfront. However, some free zones offer payment plans for their packages (e.g., 50% down, 50% in 30 days). Corporate service providers and PRO companies sometimes offer financing. Ask about payment terms when comparing providers.
Your visa will expire and you'll enter overstay status, incurring fines of AED 100-200 per day. You have a grace period to either renew, find new sponsorship, or exit. If you can't afford renewal, it's better to cancel and exit properly than to overstay.
There's no personal income tax in UAE, so deductibility isn't relevant locally. However, if you're from a country that taxes worldwide income (like the US), some visa and relocation costs may be deductible - consult a tax professional familiar with your home country's rules.
Ready to Choose Your Visa Path?
Now that you know the costs, explore detailed guides for each visa type to understand the full process and requirements.