Family Visa · 7 min read

New family visa cost in the UAE: inside vs outside the country (2026)

Published 28 July 2026

Quick answer

For a new UAE family visa, applying from outside the country is about AED 1,280 cheaper per person. An adult costs AED 1,376 from outside versus AED 2,656 inside; a child costs AED 1,103 versus AED 2,383. The saving comes from a cheaper entry permit (AED 339 vs AED 989) and no AED 630 change-of-status fee. A one-time family file fee of AED 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): AED 989 — plus a change-of-status fee.
Entry permit (outside the UAE): AED 339 — no change of status needed.
Change of status: AED 630 — inside-country applications only.
Medical fitness (standard): AED 320 — adults only.
Emirates ID: AED 354. Visa stamping: AED 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: AED 2,383 inside versus AED 1,103 outside. Either way, the outside route saves the same AED 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 AED 339, while the in-country permit is AED 989. An inside application must also change the person's status from visit to residence, adding AED 630. Apply from outside and there is no status to change, so that fee is gone entirely.

The maths: AED 650 saved on the entry permit (AED 989 to AED 339), plus AED 630 saved by skipping change of status — AED 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 = AED 2,682. From inside: 2,656 + 2,383 + 203 = AED 5,242. Same family, same visa, AED 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 AED 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 AED 4,000, or AED 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: AED 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 AED 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 AED 1,280 saving before deciding.

Dependant already abroad? Apply from outside and save AED 1,280 each.
Children under 18 never pay the medical fee — budget AED 1,103 (outside) each.
First time sponsoring? Add the one-time AED 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 AED 1,376 when applying from outside the country and AED 2,656 from inside. A child costs AED 1,103 from outside and AED 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 AED 339 instead of AED 989, and there is no AED 630 change-of-status fee because the person enters the UAE already on the residence route. Together that saves AED 1,280 per person.

How much is a new family visa for a child?

A child's government fees are AED 1,103 from outside the country and AED 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 AED 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 (AED 989) lets a dependant already in the UAE change status to residence, which adds a separate AED 630 fee. An outside entry permit (AED 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 AED 4,000, or AED 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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