Among different types, short-term tourist and visit visas are generally affordable. Work, investor, and long-term visas involve higher fees due to medical tests, Emirates ID, and insurance requirements. Additional services, such as agency processing or document attestation, may further increase the total amount.
The table below shows common visa types and their estimated government fees:
| Visa Type | Duration | Entry | Approx. Government Fee (AED) |
|---|
| Golden Visa |
5–10 years |
Multiple-entry |
7,500–20,000 |
| Remote Work / Virtual Work Visa |
1 year |
Single-entry |
3,000–5,000 |
| Retirement Visa |
5 years |
Multiple-entry |
3,500–5,000 |
| Property Owner / Investor Visa |
1–3 years |
Multiple-entry |
5,000–7,500 |
| Work / Employment Visa |
2 years |
Single-entry |
1,200–2,500 |
| Student Visa |
1–3 years |
Single-entry |
500–1,500 |
| UAE Visit Visa (Family / Short Stay) |
30–90 days |
Single / Multiple-entry |
300–1,100 |
| Tourist Visa |
30–90 days |
Single-entry |
350–1,200 |
| Business Visa |
30 days |
Single-entry |
300–400 |
| Medical Treatment Visa |
90 days |
Single-entry |
500–700 |
| Transit Visa |
48–96 hours |
Single-entry |
100–150 |
| Travel Visa |
30–90 days |
Single / Multiple-entry |
300–1,200 |
Work, student, and residence visas involve Emirates ID, medical test, and insurance costs, which raise the total cost to AED 3,000–7,000 in most cases.
Note: The figures above are approximate government fees. Actual costs may vary depending on your nationality, emirate, processing method, and additional requirements like insurance, attestation, or expedited service.
For better insight, a free zone visa in Dubai lets entrepreneurs live and work legally within designated free zones.
Additional Costs of UAE Visas Beyond Government Fees
The official UAE visa fee forms the base cost, but several additional charges affect the total:
- Service or Processing Fees: Applicants often use travel agencies, visa service providers, or online portals to handle paperwork. These providers charge a convenience or service fee.
The fee typically ranges from AED 100 to AED 500, depending on the visa type and urgency.
- Health Insurance: Certain visa types, including work, student, and long-term family visas, require health insurance coverage. Costs depend on the applicant’s age, health status, and the chosen insurance plan.
For most applicants, insurance can range from AED 300 to AED 2,000 per year.
- Document Attestation and Translation: Some visas require notarized documents or attestation from UAE authorities or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Certain applications may require a Personal Power of Attorney, which adds notarization or attestation costs.
Fees for attestation or translation generally range from AED 100 to AED 1,000 per document.
- Medical Tests: Work visas, student visas, and some long-term visas require a medical fitness test. The tests include blood tests, X-rays, and general health checks.
Costs usually range from AED 200 to AED 500, depending on the medical center and the type of tests required.
- Expedited Processing Fees: If faster visa approval is needed, many service providers offer priority or express processing for an extra charge. This can reduce waiting time from several days to 24–48 hours.
Fees for expedited processing usually range from AED 200 to AED 1,000, depending on the visa type and urgency.
Fact: A traveller applied for a UAE tourist visa online, paying the base fee plus AED 300–350 in service charges. Processing typically takes 3–5 working days.
These services ensure legal compliance and smooth processing, but do not extend the visa’s validity.
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