Golden Visa UAE Cost 2026: 10-Year Fees by Route
The UAE Golden Visa — 10 years of renewable residency with no employer sponsor — costs roughly AED 9,700–10,200 in government fees via the property route, or AED 4,600–5,000 via the salaried-professional route. The qualifying asset (AED 2M+ property, for example) is separate. Already freelancing? See the companion guide on the Golden Visa for freelancers and creators — this guide covers the property, investor and salary routes.
The short answer
| Route | Qualifying bar | Government fees (main applicant) |
|---|---|---|
| Property investor | AED 2M+ Dubai property | ~AED 9,885 (DLD all-in package) |
| Salaried professional | AED 30,000+/month salary | ~AED 4,600–5,000 |
| Bank deposit investor | AED 2M fixed deposit | ~AED 4,600–5,000 |
| Entrepreneur | Approved startup/project | ~AED 4,700–6,500 |
| Each sponsored family member | — | ~AED 5,775 per person (10 years) |
Consultancies often quote AED 15,000–25,000 “all-in” — most of that is their service fee, not government charges. The numbers above are the published authority fees.
1. Property route: the DLD all-in fee
Real-estate investors apply through Dubai Land Department channels, which publish a single itemised package. The qualifying bar is AED 2,000,000+ in DLD-registered property — ready, off-plan or mortgaged all qualify on certified value.
| Fee item | Amount (AED) |
|---|---|
| DLD Golden Visa fees | 4,020 |
| Residency permit confirmation (10 years) | 2,856.75 |
| Medical fitness test | 700 |
| Emirates ID (10 years) | 1,153 |
| Administrative fees | 1,155 |
| Total (main applicant) | ~9,884.75 |
Not included: the 4% DLD property transfer fee (paid at purchase), health insurance, or any agency service fee. Each sponsored family member adds roughly AED 5,775 for the 10-year permit, plus ~AED 319 to open the family sponsorship file.
2. Salaried professional route
Skilled employees earning AED 30,000+/month with the right qualifications can self-sponsor without any property or investment. Government costs are lower because there is no DLD component:
| Cost item | Amount (AED) |
|---|---|
| ICP/GDRFA 10-year visa fees | ~2,800 |
| Emirates ID (10 years) | 1,153 |
| Medical fitness test | 320–750 |
| Status change (if inside UAE) | 700–1,200 |
| PRO/typing centre fees | 800–2,500 |
| Realistic total | ~4,600–7,000 |
This is the cheapest Golden Visa route for eligible high earners — and the one most consultancies mark up the hardest.
3. What consultancies add (and what it is worth)
Typical agency quotes of AED 12,000–25,000 bundle: document preparation, attestation handling, medical/Emirates ID appointments, DLD or ICP filing, and follow-ups. Fair value for full hand-holding is roughly AED 3,000–8,000 above government fees depending on route complexity. Get an itemised quote and compare it against the authority fees in the tables above — anything that cannot be itemised is margin.
4. Family sponsorship and the real perks
Golden Visa holders can sponsor spouse, children, parents and domestic staff — roughly AED 5,775 per person for the 10-year permit plus medical and insurance per head. The perks that actually matter: no employer sponsor (change jobs freely), no 6-month absence cancellation (standard visas cancel after 180 days abroad), and family members keep residency even if the main holder passes away. Processing runs 7–10 working days via DLD channels once the file is complete.
5. Golden Visa vs Green Visa vs standard residence
| Feature | Golden Visa | Green Visa | Standard residence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 10 years | 5 years | 2 years |
| Sponsor needed | No | No | Employer/family |
| Absence tolerance | No 180-day rule | 180-day rule | 180-day rule |
| Property route cost | ~AED 9,885 | n/a | n/a |
If you only need 5 years of self-sponsored residency, the Green Visa for freelancers is cheaper — the Golden Visa premium buys the full decade and the absence flexibility.
Get Your Exact Number
Visa fees are one line in a relocation budget — housing, schooling and setup costs decide the real number. Plug your details into the MoveWise UAE calculator for a personalised estimate — free, no signup.
Calculate my Dubai budget — free
Read next: UAE Family Visa Cost · How Much Money to Move to Dubai · Renting vs Buying in Dubai 2026
FAQs
How much does the UAE Golden Visa cost in 2026?
Government fees run ~AED 9,885 via the property route or ~AED 4,600–5,000 via the salaried-professional route. Agency quotes of AED 15,000–25,000 include several thousand in service fees.
What is the minimum property value for the Golden Visa?
AED 2,000,000 in DLD-registered property. Ready, off-plan and mortgaged properties all qualify on certified value — no minimum upfront payment is required.
Can Golden Visa holders stay outside the UAE for more than 6 months?
Yes — unlike standard residence visas, the Golden Visa is not cancelled by absences over 180 days.
How much does it cost to add family members to a Golden Visa?
Roughly AED 5,775 per person for the 10-year permit, plus ~AED 319 file-opening fee, plus medical and health insurance per head.
How long does Golden Visa processing take?
7–10 working days through DLD channels once the complete file is submitted — this is the listed service time, not an approval guarantee.
Is the Golden Visa worth it over a standard residence visa?
If you are a high earner, investor or entrepreneur who values sponsor-independence and travel flexibility, yes. If you have stable employment, a standard 2-year visa costs a fraction — compare total 10-year costs before deciding.