New family visa cost in the UAE: inside vs outside the country (2026)
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The UAE family visa cost hinges on one detail most people miss — whether your dependant applies from inside or outside the country. Here is the full fee comparison.
Quick answer
For a new UAE family visa, applying from outside the country is about 1,280 cheaper per person. An adult costs 1,376 from outside versus 2,656 inside; a child costs 1,103 versus 2,383. The saving comes from a cheaper entry permit (339 vs 989) and no 630 change-of-status fee. A one-time family file fee of 203 applies if you have never sponsored before. These are government fees only.
A new family visa is built from a short list of government fees: an entry permit, a medical fitness test for adults, the Emirates ID, and visa stamping. The twist is the entry permit.
If your dependant is already inside the UAE — for example on a visit visa — they need an in-country entry permit plus a change-of-status step. If they are outside the UAE, they receive an entry permit from abroad and simply enter on it, with no status change. That single difference is why the two totals are not the same.
The fees that make up a new family visa
Same end result, two price paths — decided entirely by where the applicant is standing when the entry permit is issued.
- Entry permit (inside the UAE): 989 — plus a change-of-status fee.
- Entry permit (outside the UAE): 339 — no change of status needed.
- Change of status: 630 — inside-country applications only.
- Medical fitness (standard): 320 — adults only.
- Emirates ID: 354. Visa stamping: 410.
Inside vs outside country: the full price comparison
Here is the line-by-line comparison for one adult. The medical, Emirates ID and stamping fees are identical on both sides — only the entry permit and change-of-status lines move.
| Government fee | Inside the UAE | Outside the UAE |
|---|---|---|
| Entry permit | 989 | 339 |
| Change of status | 630 | Not required |
| Medical fitness (standard) | 320 | 320 |
| Emirates ID | 354 | 354 |
| Visa stamping | 410 | 410 |
| Total (one adult) | 2,656 | 1,376 |
A child follows the same pattern minus the medical test: 2,383 inside versus 1,103 outside. Either way, the outside route saves the same 1,280 per person.
Why applying from outside is cheaper
It comes down to two fees, and both shrink or disappear when your dependant is abroad. The entry permit issued from outside costs 339, while the in-country permit is 989. An inside application must also change the person's status from visit to residence, adding 630. Apply from outside and there is no status to change, so that fee is gone entirely.
The maths: 650 saved on the entry permit (989 to 339), plus 630 saved by skipping change of status — 1,280 per person, while the medical, Emirates ID and stamping fees stay exactly the same.
The outside route only works if your dependant is genuinely outside the UAE when the entry permit is issued. They then travel in on that permit and complete the medical and stamping inside the country.
Fees for an adult and a child
Children under 18 are exempt from the paid medical fitness test, so they always cost less than an adult on both routes.
| Applicant | From outside | From inside |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 1,376 | 2,656 |
| Child (under 18) | 1,103 | 2,383 |
| Family file opening (one-time) | 203 | 203 |
Worked example — a spouse and one child, first family file. From outside: 1,376 + 1,103 + 203 = 2,682. From inside: 2,656 + 2,383 + 203 = 5,242. Same family, same visa, 2,560 cheaper from outside.
The one-time family file opening fee
Before you can sponsor anyone, you need a family file with immigration. If this is your first time sponsoring a dependant and you do not yet have a file, a one-time fee of 203 is added to open it. Once the file exists you will not pay it again for future dependants — it is charged once per sponsor, not per person.
What the price does not include
The totals above are the official government charges for the visa itself. A few related costs depend on your situation and are billed separately, so budget for them on top.
- Sponsor eligibility: sponsors generally need a minimum salary (commonly 4,000, or 3,000 with company accommodation) and a valid tenancy contract. This is a requirement, not a fee.
- Health insurance: mandatory for each dependant and priced separately by age and provider.
- Attestation and translation: marriage and birth certificates issued abroad usually need attestation before they are accepted.
- Premium or express medical: 320 is the standard test; faster tiers cost more.
- Service fees: government fees do not include typing-centre or PRO service charges.
Which option should you choose?
If your spouse, child or parent is already abroad — or can travel out and re-enter on the new visa — the outside route is the clear saver at 1,280 per person. If they are already inside the UAE on a visit visa and cannot easily leave, the inside route avoids the cost and hassle of a trip even though the fees are higher. Weigh the price of a flight against the 1,280 saving before deciding.
- Dependant already abroad? Apply from outside and save 1,280 each.
- Children under 18 never pay the medical fee — budget 1,103 (outside) each.
- First time sponsoring? Add the one-time 203 family file fee.
- Already inside the UAE with no easy exit? The inside route is often still the practical choice.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a new family visa cost in the UAE?
An adult costs 1,376 when applying from outside the country and 2,656 from inside. A child costs 1,103 from outside and 2,383 from inside. These are government fees and exclude insurance and service charges.
Why is a family visa cheaper from outside the country?
Two fees fall away. The entry permit from outside is 339 instead of 989, and there is no 630 change-of-status fee because the person enters the UAE already on the residence route. Together that saves 1,280 per person.
How much is a new family visa for a child?
A child's government fees are 1,103 from outside the country and 2,383 from inside. Children under 18 do not take the paid medical test, so they always cost less than an adult.
What is the family file opening fee?
A one-time fee of 203 to open your family file with immigration, charged only if you have never sponsored a dependant before. It is not charged again for future family members.
Is a medical test required for children?
No. Children under 18 are exempt from the paid medical fitness test, which is why a child's family visa costs less than an adult's on both routes.
Are these the total fees I will pay?
These are official government fees only. Health insurance, attestation of marriage or birth certificates, premium medical tiers and any third-party service charge are separate and depend on your case.
What is the difference between an inside and outside entry permit?
An inside entry permit (989) lets a dependant already in the UAE change status to residence, which adds a separate 630 fee. An outside entry permit (339) is issued while the dependant is abroad, and they enter the country on it with no status change.
What salary is needed to sponsor a family visa?
Sponsors generally need a minimum monthly salary, commonly 4,000, or 3,000 with company-provided accommodation, along with a valid residence visa and tenancy contract. This is an eligibility requirement, not part of the visa fee.
Do these prices apply to family visa renewal?
No. These figures are for a new family visa. A renewal has no entry permit or change of status, so its fees are different.
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