How Much Does a UAE Visa Cost in 2026: Tourist, Resident, Golden, and Family Visa

How Much Does a UAE Visa Cost: Key Points

Before calculating dirhams, you need to understand one thing: the UAE does not have a single "visa" with one price. The word "visa" means completely different documents - from a sticker in a passport for two weeks of vacation to a ten-year residence permit. And they cost significantly differently. Therefore, the correct question is not "how much does a UAE visa cost," but "what type of visa do I exactly need and what is included in its price."

If simplified, the picture for 2026 looks like this. A tourist visa to Dubai is the cheapest option, approximately 350-900 AED depending on the duration and service fee. A resident visa (residence permit) is already a package of procedures: medical test, Emirates ID, and visa stamp, totaling approximately 3,500-7,000 AED per person. Golden Visa is a ten-year status, state fees for which amount to approximately 4,600-10,250 AED. Each family member is processed separately, and a separate package of fees is paid for each.

Keep in mind separately some good news for Russian citizens: a UAE visa is not needed for tourism at all. Visa-free entry for 90 days is in effect - detailed information below. All amounts in the article are given approximately: fees depend on the emirate, visa duration, insurance availability, and the service center through which you apply. We maintain a full basic picture of visa types in the overview of UAE visa types UAE Visa Types.

Tourist Visa Price in Dubai: 30 and 60 Days

A tourist visa is where acquaintance with the Emirates begins for those who are not eligible for visa-free entry. But an important caveat: Russian citizens do not need it for vacation, so this section is relevant for those traveling longer than the visa-free period, on different grounds, or with a passport from a country without a visa-free agreement.

Basic state fees for 2026 look as follows: single-entry tourist visa for 30 days - approximately 252 AED plus 5% VAT, for 60 days - approximately 352 AED plus VAT. This is the "bare" state fee. In practice, when applying through an airline, visa center, or agency, service payments, insurance, and processing fees are added, so the final Dubai visa costs approximately 350 to 550 AED for 30 days and 580 to 900 AED for 60 days.

The price is influenced by duration, frequency (single-entry or multiple-entry), processing speed, and whether traveler health insurance is included. A detailed breakdown of deadlines, extensions, and rules is available in the article on tourist visa to the UAE Tourist Visa to UAE.

UAE Visa for Russians: How Much Does It Cost and Is It Needed

The most common question is "how much does a UAE visa cost for Russians." The answer for tourism: nothing. Since 2023, a visa-free entry agreement has been in effect between Russia and the UAE. A Russian citizen with a regular foreign passport can stay in the Emirates for up to 90 days cumulatively within any 180-day period - for tourism, visiting friends and family, and short business trips. No visa, no fee, entry stamp is placed at the border.

This fundamentally changes the calculation. If you are flying to Dubai for vacation, on business for a couple of weeks, or to show the city to family - you do not need to pay for a visa. A valid foreign passport with a validity period of at least six months and a return ticket are sufficient.

When a Russian citizen will need to obtain and pay for a visa:

• Stay longer than 90 days. If plans exceed the visa-free limit, either a tourist visa for a longer period or a resident visa is required.
• Living and working in the UAE. To work, establish a company, enroll children in a local school, or rent housing long-term, a resident visa and Emirates ID are required—visa-free status is insufficient for this purpose.
• Travel more frequently than the 90/180-day limit permits. If you travel between countries and use up your entire visa-free allowance, residency removes this restriction.

In other words, for leisure travel, a visa is free and unnecessary for Russians, but for relocation, the cost of a resident visa must be calculated. For detailed information on all entry requirements, see the guide on UAE visa for Russians..

Cost of UAE resident visa: what it comprises.

A resident visa is no longer a travel sticker, but a residence permit. It is obtained through an employer, real estate purchase, or a personal company, and grants the right to live in the country, open bank accounts, and sponsor family members. Therefore, the cost of a UAE resident visa is not a single fee but a series of mandatory procedures.

Three pillars upon which any residency stands:

• Medical test (medical fitness). Mandatory blood test and chest X-ray at an accredited center. Approximately 320-750 AED per person, depending on the emirate and processing speed.
• Emirates ID. Plastic resident ID card, used for identification in all government services. Cost is tied to visa duration: approximately 270 AED for 2 years to roughly 1,153 AED for a 10-year Golden Visa card.
• Visa stamp/issuance (residency permit). Actual assignment of resident status. This includes the entry permit if the person is entering from abroad and administrative fees.

Combining these three components plus service and insurance, a standard two-year residency is estimated at approximately 3,500-7,000 AED per person. An investor visa for real estate typically approaches the upper limit due to Land Department (DLD) fees. A basic breakdown of grounds and procedures is provided in the review of UAE resident visa..

Resident visa budget: table "visa - fee - what is included".

To avoid drowning in numbers, we compile the budget for a typical two-year resident visa in one table. This is a guideline: actual amounts depend on the emirate, service center, and whether you are entering from abroad or changing status within the country.

It is evident that the visa stamp and insurance carry the most weight. If you transition from one status to another within the UAE, the entry permit is not required, and the budget decreases. All amounts are approximate and may vary by emirate in 2026—it is always better to obtain a precise breakdown for your specific situation in advance.

How much does the UAE Golden Visa cost in 2026.

Golden Visa is the flagship status of the Emirates: a 10-year residence permit, renewable, which the holder obtains for themselves (self-sponsored) and under which they sponsor their family. The most popular route is real estate investment from 2,000,000 AED (approximately 545,000 dollars). Important 2026 update: the previous requirement for an initial payment of 1 million has been removed—now a Land Department-confirmed property value of 2 million AED is sufficient, regardless of whether it is mortgaged or not.

How much does the Golden Visa itself cost in fees? Government payments in 2026 are estimated at approximately 4,600-10,250 AED. The upper limit applies to real estate investors because DLD fees are added. A typical investor budget includes: medical test at approximately 700 AED, 10-year Emirates ID at approximately 1,153 AED, resident permit confirmation at approximately 2,856 AED, plus processing fees and Land Department service charges.

Important points not to overlook when calculating budget:

• The investment itself is separate. 2 million AED for real estate is an investment, not a "visa fee". Fees are paid on top and are relatively modest against the cost of the purchase.
• DLD fee at purchase. In a real estate transaction, the Land Department charges 4% of the property value plus administrative fees—this is a one-time buyer payment.
• Family—separate packages. Each family member is processed with their own medical test, Emirates ID, and stamp.

Detailed breakdown of Golden Visa routes and conditions - in our guide to UAE visa types.

Golden Visa routes: beyond real estate alone

Many believe Golden Visa is exclusively about purchasing an apartment for 2 million. This is not the case: there are several routes, and entry costs vary. Visa fees themselves are roughly comparable, but the "entry price" (the investment or qualification itself) differs significantly.

Main pathways to ten-year status:

• Real estate from 2,000,000 AED. Ready-made or under-construction property, including mortgaged properties from approved banks. The threshold is calculated based on value confirmed by DLD.
• Investors and entrepreneurs. Business owners, economy contributors, startup founders - subject to separate criteria and involvement of relevant authorities.
• Unique talents and specialists. Scientists, doctors, engineers, athletes, cultural figures, and outstanding students - this route requires no major investment; status is granted for qualifications and achievements.

For those for whom ten-year status is excessive, Green Visa exists - 5 years for qualified specialists, freelancers and self-employed partners without employer sponsor, and pensioner visa for 5 years for people 55+ (with savings or real estate from 1 million AED or income from 180k AED annually). They are cheaper than Golden but offer shorter duration. It is crucial to understand: Golden Visa is residency, not citizenship. UAE citizenship is not sold for investment; it cannot be purchased and is granted only by governmental decree for exceptional individuals.

How much does a UAE visa cost for a family

When not one person but a family relocates, the budget is calculated by a simple rule: each family member is a separate fee package. There is no universal "family discount": for a spouse, for each child, if necessary for parents - separate medical test, separate Emirates ID, separate visa stamp.

2026 estimates per dependent family member - approximately 3,500-5,000 AED for a two-year visa, sometimes up to 6,000-7,000 AED including insurance and "inside or outside country" status. Comprised of:

• Entry permit - approximately 500-600 AED, if family member enters from abroad.
• Medical test - approximately 320-750 AED per person (for small children often simplified or not required - clarified by age).
• Emirates ID - by visa duration, approximately 270-370 AED for 2 years.
• Visa stamp and administrative fees - the main part of the package.

For the Golden Visa holder there is a pleasant feature: they sponsor their family for the same ten-year period. Spouse obtains status regardless of profession, sons can be sponsored until age 25, unmarried daughters - without age limitation. Each is still processed as a separate fee package, but the duration for all matches the principal - 10 years. Family budget calculation is conveniently done for everyone at once: this shows the complete picture without surprises.

Table: Golden Visa for a family of four

We will show by example how fees add up for Golden Visa for a family of four - principal applicant, spouse and two children. These are state and service fees for status processing only, excluding the investment in real estate itself (2 million AED) and DLD fee upon purchase.

Figures are approximate: final amount depends on emirate, chosen service center, insurance plans and whether people are processed inside the country or entering from abroad. What you must remember from this table: visa fees are tens of thousands of dirhams for a family, whereas the real estate investment itself is measured in millions. That is, the cost of Golden Visa processing for a family - significant, but not the determining budget item compared to asset purchase.

UAE resident taxes: what matters for your budget.

When calculating visa costs, it makes sense to immediately consider the tax picture - after all, it is the zero taxes that make UAE residency attractive despite processing fees. And here, the Emirates remain one of the world's most favorable jurisdictions.

• Personal income tax - 0%. Salary, dividends, rental income, and other personal income of a resident are not subject to personal income tax. This is the key argument in favor of relocating.
• No capital gains tax or inheritance tax. For individuals.
• Corporate tax - 9%. On company profit exceeding 375 000 AED (introduced in June 2023). In free zones, a rate of 0% applies to "qualifying income."
• VAT - 5%. Standard consumption tax, included in the prices of goods and services, including visa fees.

There is one nuance for large business: from 2025 onward, a global minimum tax of Pillar Two (15%) applies to multinational groups with turnover exceeding 750 million euros. This does not affect private residents or small/medium-sized businesses. To fully benefit from UAE tax residency, more than just a visa is required - you need a genuine connection: housing, center of interest, and days present. This is a tax planning matter that should be worked out in advance along with the visa cost itself.

Common mistakes when calculating UAE visa costs.

Over years of handling relocations to the Emirates, we see the same miscalculations that turn an "inexpensive visa" into an unpleasant surprise. Let us break them down so you can set a realistic budget from the start.

• Only counting government fees. Basic 252 AED for a tourist or "bare" residency stamp is not the final price. Service, insurance, document translation, and expedited processing add significantly.
• Forgetting about each family member. A visa is issued per person: four people means four fee packages, not one with a discount.
• Confusing investment with visa fees. 2 million AED for real estate under Golden Visa is an asset investment, while visa fees themselves are separate thousands of dirhams on top.
• Ignoring renewal. A two-year residency is cheaper upfront but requires a new fee cycle in 2 years; Golden Visa costs more initially but covers 10 years.
• Missing deadlines. Expired visas or Emirates ID incur daily fines that easily wipe out any savings.

Main conclusion: UAE visa costs should be calculated as a complete package for the entire family and full duration, not as a single fee. This gives a budget and predictable processing.

How to verify current fees and avoid overpaying: expert perspective.

The main difficulty with UAE visa prices is that they are dynamic. Fees are reviewed, differ by emirate, and depend on whether you enter from abroad or change status within the country. Therefore, any estimate, including ours, should be viewed as a reference, and final figures should be verified before submission.

• Cross-check with the official portal. Current government fees for visas and Emirates ID are published on the UAE state portal—see the visa fees section. u.ae.
• Request itemization. Demand a breakdown by line item: medical test, ID, stamp, insurance, service. This shows exactly what you are paying for and where you are overpaying.
• Calculate for the entire family and full duration. Compare not the price of one visa, but the total budget for all family members including renewals.
• Budget for ancillary expenses. Document translation, insurance, expedited processing—these are part of the real cost, not "optional."

And finally: cheaper is not always better. Saving on service and making mistakes in documents or missing deadlines can cost more in fines and reprocessing than you saved initially.

Hidden and ancillary expenses that are forgotten

When calculating how much a UAE visa costs, often only basic fees are taken, then people are surprised by the final amount. For a budget, keep ancillary expenses in mind - not formally the "visa price" but arising almost always.

• Medical insurance. Required for residency visa. Basic plan costs from ~700 AED, expanded plans considerably more, and this is an annual item.
• Translation and document certification. Diplomas, certificates, references often require certified translation into Arabic - paid separately.
• Service center fee (typing/tas-heel). Application preparation and submission through accredited centers - from dozens to hundreds of dirhams per action.
• Urgency. Express processing accelerates the process but increases the bill - from 50-200 AED and higher for each expedited stage.
• Extension and reissuance. A 2-year residency will require a new collection cycle upon renewal; the Golden Visa is more economical in this regard due to its 10-year validity period.

It is important to remember separately about late payment penalties: if a visa or Emirates ID is expired, a daily fine accrues. Therefore, a renewal calendar is as much part of the budget as the fees themselves. The earlier you prepare an estimate with all associated expenses, the fewer surprises at the finish line.

Total cost of a UAE visa: summary overview.

Let us consolidate all visa types into one summary table to provide a reference point for budget planning. Remember: all amounts are approximate and depend on the emirate, validity period, insurance, and service provider.

The conclusion is straightforward: tourist entry is inexpensive or free for Russians; a resident visa is a package of procedures costing several thousand dirhams per person; and the Golden Visa adds a substantial investment on top but provides a maximum 10-year term and the right to sponsor family members. Which option is most cost-effective for you depends on your goals: vacation, relocation, business, or long-term family life.