Family visa renewal cost in the UAE: adult & child fees (2026)

The UAE family visa renewal cost is much lower than most sponsors expect, and the reason is simple: your dependant already holds residency. Renewal does not need a new entry permit, and there is nothing to change from visit to residence status.

You are essentially refreshing an existing visa, so you only pay for the medical test, the Emirates ID and the visa stamp. Everything below is for renewing an existing family visa — first-time sponsorship costs more and is covered in our new family visa cost guide.

How much does family visa renewal cost in the UAE?

A family visa renewal is the shortest fee list of any UAE residence process. The adult renewal cost is 1,037 and the child renewal cost is 764. The difference is the medical test, which children under 18 do not take.

• Medical fitness (standard): 320 — adults only.
• Emirates ID: 354 — renewed with the visa.
• Visa stamping: 410.
• Entry permit and change of status: not charged at renewal.

Renewal fees for an adult and a child

The full per-person breakdown. Children under 18 are exempt from the paid medical test, so they always renew cheaper than an adult.

Worked example — renewing a spouse and one child together: 1,037 + 764 = 1,801 in government fees. No entry permit, no change of status, and no family file fee, because all of that was settled when the visas were first issued.

Renewal vs a new family visa: why it is cheaper

A new family visa has to bring someone into the residence system — that means an entry permit and, for anyone already inside the UAE, a change of status. Renewal skips both, because your dependant is already a resident. The table compares one adult renewing against the cheapest new-visa route (applying from outside the country).

Renewal is 339 cheaper than even the lowest-cost new visa, and 1,619 cheaper than a new visa processed inside the country (2,656), which also carries the entry permit and change-of-status fees.

When to renew and how to avoid fines

Renewal cost only stays low if you do it on time. A family visa should be renewed before it expires, or within the grace period the UAE allows after expiry. Once that grace period ends, daily overstay fines start to add up on each dependant.

• Start early — begin the renewal in the weeks before the expiry date.
• Keep health insurance valid; a current policy is needed to renew.
• Renew the whole family together to keep every expiry date aligned.
• Do not rely on the grace period — treat the expiry date as the deadline.

Overstay fines are charged per day, per person after the grace period ends. Renewing on time keeps your cost to the 1,037 and 764 figures above.

What the renewal price does not include

The amounts above cover the renewal itself. A few related costs sit outside the government fees and depend on your situation, so budget for them separately.

• Health insurance — a valid policy must be in place to renew, priced by age and provider.
• Sponsor eligibility — the minimum salary and a valid tenancy contract still apply at renewal.
• Premium or express medical — 320 is the standard test; faster tiers cost more.
• Overstay fines — any fines from a late renewal are added on top.
• Service fees — government fees exclude typing-centre or PRO charges.

How to keep your renewal cost down

Because the renewal fees are fixed, the only way the cost grows is through late renewals and avoidable extras. A few simple habits keep you at the lowest possible total.

• Renew before expiry so no overstay fine is added.
• Children under 18 have no medical fee — budget 764 each.
• Keep health insurance active so the renewal is not held up.
• Renew everyone together to avoid repeat trips and missed dates.