United Arab Emirates
UAE Golden Visa: government fee breakdown
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
The UAE Golden Visa typically costs around AED 5,000–5,500 (≈$1,400) in government fees for a 10-year grant for a single applicant applying inside the UAE.
These are the fees paid to the United Arab Emirates government. You pay these directly as part of your application. Fees for dependants, priority services, or higher salary bands may change the total.
How much does the UAE Golden Visa cost in United Arab Emirates?
The UAE Golden Visa typically costs around AED 5,000–5,500 (≈$1,400) in government fees for a 10-year grant for a single applicant applying inside the UAE.
Verified against GDRFA Dubai — Golden Visa service on 1 June 2026.
Headline total
AED 5,343
Single applicant, inside UAE, with change of status
Currency
AED (UAE dirham)
Last checked
1 June 2026
Itemised fees
| Fee component | Amount | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
Golden Visa application fee (inside UAE) GDRFA Dubai total service cost for the 10-year Golden Visa applied inside the UAE (AED 2,790). ICP/Abu Dhabi does not publish a single headline figure and may differ; the issuance fee rises by AED 100 annually where residency exceeds two years. | AED 2,790 | Yes |
Medical fitness test Indicative — tiered by emirate and service speed (≈AED 320 standard in Dubai; express tiers higher). Not a single published figure. | AED 350 | Yes |
Emirates ID issuance (10 years) Indicative 10-year total. ICP charges AED 100 per year of residence plus an AED 100 smart-service fee, before typing/Amer charges — verify the current ICP schedule for your case. | AED 1,153 | Yes |
Change of status (if applying inside UAE on a different visa) | AED 650 | Optional |
Typesetting / Amer centre processing Third-party Amer-centre service fee; varies by emirate. | AED 400 | Optional |
Worked example
Single applicant, inside UAE, with change of status — AED 5,343
- AED 2,790 Golden Visa application
- AED 350 medical (indicative)
- AED 1,153 Emirates ID (indicative)
- AED 650 change of status
- AED 400 Amer-centre service
How to read these fees
The AED 5,343 headline covers single applicant, inside UAE, with change of status. Of the 5 components listed above, 3 are mandatory and 2 are optional add-ons (such as priority processing) you can choose to skip. The single biggest mandatory line is Golden Visa application fee (inside UAE) at AED 2,790.
Bringing family changes the total — see the dependant section below. Treat the figure as a planning estimate rather than a quote: confirm each line on the official source linked below on the day you pay, because these fees are revised regularly.
Dependant fees
Sponsored dependants on a Golden Visa principal pay their own medical (AED 350), Emirates ID (AED 1,153 for 10 years), and around AED 1,500 in dependent-visa fees.
Why fees change
ICP (Abu Dhabi) and GDRFA (Dubai) fee schedules differ; the figures here follow the GDRFA Dubai service page (AED 2,790 total). The 10-year term has been stable since 2022. The medical and Emirates-ID lines are indicative and tier-dependent — verify your emirate's current schedule before budgeting.
Primary source
GDRFA Dubai — Golden Visa service
https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/8ea80dad-f43e-11eb-0320-0050569629e8
Frequently asked questions
How much does the UAE Golden Visa cost in government fees?
The UAE Golden Visa typically costs around AED 5,000–5,500 (≈$1,400) in government fees for a 10-year grant for a single applicant applying inside the UAE. The worked example assumes single applicant, inside uae, with change of status, totalling AED 5,343. Fees for dependants, priority service, or higher-tier salary bands change the total — see the itemised table above.
Are these fees refundable if my application is refused?
Most application fees are non-refundable once the government begins processing. Some jurisdictions refund specific components (e.g. Canada's Right of Permanent Residence Fee refunds if refused; UK IHS refunds if the visa is refused). Check the linked primary source for the route you are applying to.
How often do these fees change?
ICP (Abu Dhabi) and GDRFA (Dubai) fee schedules differ; the figures here follow the GDRFA Dubai service page (AED 2,790 total). The 10-year term has been stable since 2022. The medical and Emirates-ID lines are indicative and tier-dependent — verify your emirate's current schedule before budgeting.
Do dependants pay the same fees as the primary applicant?
Sponsored dependants on a Golden Visa principal pay their own medical (AED 350), Emirates ID (AED 1,153 for 10 years), and around AED 1,500 in dependent-visa fees.
Next steps
Full visa guide
Eligibility, application steps, and FAQs for the UAE Golden Visa.
Processing time
How long the UAE Golden Visa takes from application to decision.
Compare: UAE Green Visa fees
5-year self-sponsored residence for skilled employees, freelancers, and investors.
Compare: UAE Employment (Standard Residence) visa fees
Standard employer-sponsored residence for workers recruited by UAE companies.
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.