Family Visa · 6 min read
Family visa renewal cost in the UAE: adult & child fees (2026)
Published 1 August 2026
Quick answer
A UAE family visa renewal costs AED 1,037 for an adult and AED 764 for a child. It is cheaper than a new visa because there is no entry permit and no change of status — you only pay the medical (adults), Emirates ID and visa stamping. There is also no family file fee at renewal. These are government fees only; renew on time to avoid overstay fines.
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 AED 1,037 and the child renewal cost is AED 764. The difference is the medical test, which children under 18 do not take.
- Medical fitness (standard): AED 320 — adults only.
- Emirates ID: AED 354 — renewed with the visa.
- Visa stamping: AED 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.
| Government fee | Adult | Child (under 18) |
|---|---|---|
| Medical fitness (standard) | 320 | Not required |
| Emirates ID | 354 | 354 |
| Visa stamping | 410 | 410 |
| Family file fee | 0 | 0 |
| Total per person | 1,037 | 764 |
Worked example — renewing a spouse and one child together: AED 1,037 + AED 764 = AED 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).
| Government fee | New visa (from outside) | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Entry permit | 339 | Not needed |
| Medical fitness (standard) | 320 | 320 |
| Emirates ID | 354 | 354 |
| Visa stamping | 410 | 410 |
| Total (one adult) | 1,376 | 1,037 |
Renewal is AED 339 cheaper than even the lowest-cost new visa, and AED 1,619 cheaper than a new visa processed inside the country (AED 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 AED 1,037 and AED 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 — AED 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 AED 764 each.
- Keep health insurance active so the renewal is not held up.
- Renew everyone together to avoid repeat trips and missed dates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does family visa renewal cost in the UAE?
A family visa renewal costs AED 1,037 for an adult and AED 764 for a child. These are government fees covering the medical (adults only), the Emirates ID and the visa stamping. They do not include health insurance or service charges.
Why is renewal cheaper than a new family visa?
Because your dependant already holds residency, renewal does not need an entry permit or a change of status. Removing those two charges is what makes renewal cheaper than a new visa.
How much is family visa renewal for a child?
A child's renewal is AED 764 — the Emirates ID (AED 354) plus visa stamping (AED 410). Children under 18 do not take the paid medical test, so they cost less than an adult.
Is a medical test required to renew a family visa?
Adults take a standard medical fitness test of AED 320 at renewal. Children under 18 are exempt, which is why their renewal costs less.
How much cheaper is renewal than a new visa?
An adult renewal is AED 1,037, versus AED 1,376 for a new visa from outside the country and AED 2,656 from inside. Renewal saves at least AED 339 and up to AED 1,619 per adult.
Do I pay the family file fee again at renewal?
No. The AED 203 family file fee is a one-time charge paid when you first open your family file. It is not charged again when you renew.
Are these government fees the total I pay?
These are the official government fees only. Health insurance, premium medical tiers, any overstay fines and third-party service charges are separate and depend on your case.
When should I renew my family visa?
Renew before the visa expires, or within the grace period the UAE allows after expiry. Once the grace period ends, daily overstay fines apply per person, so renewing on time is always cheapest.
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