Planning a move to the Emirates? Visa fees are one of the first costs you will face — and they add up quickly when you are sponsoring family members too. Use the calculator below for a realistic, itemised estimate in dirhams.
The UAE Visa Cost Calculator breaks down the main charges most newcomers encounter: the entry permit, medical fitness test, residence visa stamping, Emirates ID and mandatory health insurance. Costs vary by emirate and visa route, so you can compare scenarios — an employment visa arranged by a Dubai employer, the cost of a family visa in the UAE when you sponsor your spouse and children, a freelance or green visa, or the ten-year Golden Visa.
Visa fees in Dubai are often quoted as a single figure, but the real total is made up of many smaller payments: typing-centre charges, medical test fees, Emirates ID fees per year of validity and insurance premiums that differ sharply by age and cover level. The calculator totals these for you and shows a clear range rather than a misleading exact number, and the results update instantly as you change the options. Planning the full budget? Estimate your monthly DEWA bills and moving volume too.
Part of your MoveWise UAE relocation budget — every dirham of your move, planned.
UAE Visa Cost Calculator
Pick your visa type and emirate — get an itemised estimate in seconds.
You may also find our guides on sponsoring your wife in Dubai, sponsoring children in the UAE and UAE Golden Visa costs useful.
Visa cost FAQs
How much does a UAE residence visa cost?
As a typical range: an employment visa costs about AED 3,000–7,000 all-in, a family visa about AED 3,500–5,000 per dependent, a freelance visa about AED 7,500–15,000, and a 10-year Golden Visa about AED 5,000–10,500 in government and processing fees. Medical tests (AED 300–700) and Emirates ID (about AED 100 per year of validity) sit on top.
Who pays for the visa — me or my employer?
By law, your employer must pay for your own employment residence visa and your health insurance. Visas and insurance for your spouse and children are normally yours to pay — except in Abu Dhabi, where employers must also insure one spouse and up to three children.
What is the medical fitness test?
Every residence visa applicant aged 18+ must pass a medical fitness test — a blood test and chest X-ray at an approved government health centre. It typically costs AED 300–700 depending on the emirate and how fast you need the result.
How much does the Emirates ID cost?
The Emirates ID costs about AED 100 per year of visa validity, plus typing and service charges — so roughly AED 200 for a 2-year visa and about AED 1,000 for a 10-year Golden Visa.
Is health insurance really mandatory?
Yes — health insurance is mandatory for residence visas in every emirate. Basic annual cover typically starts around AED 1,500–4,000 per person; comprehensive family plans cost considerably more.
Are these exact government fees?
No. The calculator uses typical ranges, checked October 2026. Actual fees vary by emirate, free zone, typing centre and how quickly you need things done. Treat the result as a budgeting guide, not a quote.