UAE Visa Cost Calculator

Estimate the total cost of UAE visas — investor, employment, freelance, Golden, Green, and dependents. Includes medical, Emirates ID, and insurance.

By Alex Thorp, who has set up 40+ UAE businesses · Updated May 2026

Your Visa Plan

Visa Type Spouse?

Number of Children Visas Express processing (extra ~AED 1,000 per visa, ~3 days vs 2-3 weeks)

Estimated Total Cost

AED 5,500–9,000

~$1,500–2,500 USD

Breakdown

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UAE Visa Types at a Glance

Visa Type	Validity	Sponsor	Cost (Approx.)
Employment Visa	2 years	Employer	AED 3,000–6,000
Investor / Partner	2–3 years	Own company	AED 5,500–9,000
Freelance	2 years	Free zone permit	AED 7,500–15,000
Golden Visa	10 years	Self	AED 6,000–10,000
Green Visa	5 years	Self	AED 4,000–7,000
Dependent	Match sponsor	Family member	AED 1,500–3,500

UAE Visa FAQ

How long is a UAE residence visa valid?

Standard residence visas are valid for 2 years. Investor and partner visas are valid for 2-3 years depending on jurisdiction. Green visas are valid for 5 years. Golden visas are valid for 10 years. Dependent visas match the sponsor's validity.

Who pays for an employment visa?

By UAE labour law, the employer must pay all visa costs for the employee, including medical, Emirates ID, and insurance. Some employers attempt to deduct these from salary, which is illegal — though it still happens. Dependents (spouse, children) are typically the employee's responsibility.

What is the UAE Golden Visa?

The UAE Golden Visa is a 10-year renewable residence permit available to investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, scientists, students, and certain professionals. It allows the holder to sponsor family without restrictions and stay outside the UAE without losing residency.

How long does UAE visa processing take?

Standard processing for an investor or employment visa takes 2–3 weeks from application to Emirates ID issuance. With express processing (extra ~AED 1,000), it can drop to 3–5 working days. Steps: entry permit (3–5 days) → status change/medical (1–2 days) → visa stamping (5–7 days) → Emirates ID (5–10 days). Family dependants follow the same timeline once your visa is issued.

Can I work in the UAE on a visit visa?

No. Working on a 30/60/90-day visit visa is illegal and can result in fines, deportation, and an entry ban. Even unpaid work or remote work for a foreign employer is technically prohibited if you're physically working from the UAE. The legal alternative is a Green Visa (5-year skilled worker), Freelance Permit (free zone), or Remote Work Visa (1 year, requires AED 13,000+ monthly income).

What happens if my UAE visa expires?

You have a 30-day grace period after visa expiry to renew, exit, or change status. After 30 days, overstay fines are AED 50/day, plus you cannot legally work or open bank accounts. Don't let it lapse — Emirates ID renewal is straightforward if done in advance, but rectifying an expired visa requires legal status correction (medical, exit/re-entry, or sometimes deportation). Set a calendar reminder for 60 days before expiry.

Worked example: Founder + family of 4

Ahmed is setting up a new free zone company and bringing his wife and two school-aged children. He wants to budget for visas before negotiating his free zone package.

Investor visa: AED 7,000 (mid-range estimate)
Spouse visa: AED 3,000
2 child visas: AED 2,000 × 2 = AED 4,000
Subtotal (no express processing): AED 14,000 (~$3,800 USD)

Don't forget the additional costs that aren't visa fees but are required for the family to actually live in the UAE:

Free zone company licence + setup: AED 12,000–25,000 (varies by zone)
Mandatory medical insurance: AED 1,500–3,500 per family member per year (4 × ~AED 2,500 = AED 10,000/year)
Emirates ID delivery and biometrics: AED 100–300 per person
Optional: PRO firm to handle the paperwork: AED 1,500–3,000 per visa

All-in budget for the first year: roughly AED 35,000–55,000 (~$9,500–15,000 USD) for company setup + 4 visas + insurance. Many founders underbudget this and get caught off guard by the medical insurance line item especially.

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Visas are part of the bigger setup picture

The LaunchDub.ai guide ties visas, free zone selection, banking, and ongoing compliance into one playbook — so you don't end up with a residency that blocks what you actually wanted to do.

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Disclaimer: Visa costs vary by free zone, emirate, and PRO provider. These are typical ranges as of 2026 and exclude consultant or PRO service fees, which can add AED 500–3,000 per visa. For binding quotes, contact a UAE PRO firm or your free zone authority.