UAE Golden Visa Fee in 2026: Official Government Costs, Dependants, and Renewal

Securing a long-term residence permit in the UAE requires clear upfront budgeting. As of October 2026, the official government fee for a primary applicant stands at 9,978. This covers Dubai Land Department (DLD) or administrative processing, entry permits, status modification, residency issuance, the 10-year Emirates ID, and the official medical fitness examination.

Many prospective residents find fragmented quotes online that omit local medical exams, card issuance fees, or dependant typing charges. Understanding these statutory line items protects your budget from unexpected expenses. You can review our detailed UAE Golden Visa cost price breakdown by category or use our live Golden Visa cost breakdown to plan your total expenses based on your family profile.

Official UAE Golden Visa Fee Breakdown (2026)

Government charges for the 10-year residency follow a standardized statutory schedule across the Emirates. Dubai applications run through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), while other emirates process through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).

Primary Applicant Government Charges

The standard government fee of 9,978 applies to the primary applicant across main qualification streams, including property investors, senior business executives, and specialized talent. Final approval rests entirely with the UAE immigration authorities. This statutory figure covers specific official stages:

• Initial Approval and Nomination: Administrative review validating your qualifying real estate, employment contract, or professional credentials.
• Change of Status and Entry Permit: Legal transfer from a previous tourist status, employment visa, or green residency into the long-term golden visa registry.
• Medical Fitness Screening: Blood tests for communicable diseases and preventive chest X-rays conducted at approved health centres.
• Ten-Year Emirates ID: High-security physical identification card issued by ICP, valid for the full 10-year residency duration.
• Residency Visa Issuance: Digital stamping and registration within the official federal immigration database.

Dependant Fees for Adults and Children Under 18

After your primary residency file is approved, you can proceed with family and dependant visa sponsorship for your spouse, children, and parents. Dependant government fees are lower because primary background clearances are already completed on the sponsor file.

For an adult dependant aged 18 or older, such as a spouse or adult child, the official government fee is 4,215. This includes residency issuance, the 10-year Emirates ID card, and mandatory medical fitness screening. For minor children under 18, the official government fee is 3,895. Because children under 18 do not take medical fitness tests in Dubai, their charge covers document handling, visa issuance, and the Emirates ID card.

Sponsoring parents under your 10-year visa incurs a statutory government fee of 4,215 per parent. Their residency validity is aligned directly with your 10-year file, subject to continuous health insurance coverage.

Applicant Type	Official Government Fee (AED)	Mandatory Inclusions	Residency Validity
Primary Applicant	9,978	Admin & DLD clearance, Entry Permit, Medical, Emirates ID, Visa Stamping	10 Years
Adult Dependant (18+)	4,215	Entry Permit, Medical Fitness, 10-Year Emirates ID, Visa Stamping	10 Years
Child Dependant (<18)	3,895	Entry Permit, 10-Year Emirates ID, Visa Stamping (No Medical)	10 Years
Parent Dependant	4,215	Entry Permit, Medical Fitness, 10-Year Emirates ID, Visa Stamping	10 Years
10-Year Renewal (Primary)	9,034	Re-verification, Medical Fitness, Replacement Emirates ID, Renewal Stamping	10 Years
Visa Cancellation	590	File closure, electronic clearance, ICP card deactivation	N/A

UAE Golden Visa Eligibility Criteria Across Main Routes

Paying the government fees comes at the end of the process. Your application must first satisfy statutory eligibility requirements set by UAE authorities. As of October 2026, real estate investment and executive employment remain the two primary routes.

Real Estate Investors and Ownership Criteria

Property owners can apply for the 10-year UAE Golden Visa through real estate purchases in designated freehold areas. General regulations set by land departments and immigration bodies include:

• Qualifying Purchase Value: The property or combined portfolio must satisfy the statutory investment criteria established by the relevant land authority on the official Title Deed.
• Mortgaged Real Estate: Mortgaged properties can qualify if bank documentation confirms the required property equity threshold is satisfied.
• Off-Plan Developments: Off-plan properties qualify when the overall contract value satisfies statutory investment criteria and the project is active in the developer escrow system.
• Joint Ownership: Spouses can combine shares to reach the qualifying threshold by providing an attested marriage certificate.

Investors with real estate holdings below this threshold can consider the 2-year Property Investor Visa, which has no minimum value requirement for sole owners.

Skilled Professionals and High-Income Executives

Salaried executives and specialists represent another common Golden Visa group. This track provides direct residency independent of company sponsorship. Requirements are verified against official employment records:

• Monthly Salary Level: A qualifying monthly salary supported by an active UAE employment contract and bank statements confirming regular payroll deposits.
• Professional Role: The job role must fall under MOHRE Occupational Level 1 (Directors and Managers) or Level 2 (Professionals in science, engineering, healthcare, education, or business).
• Academic Credentials: A bachelor degree or higher, attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and supported by UAE equivalency.

Renewal Realities: Is the UAE Golden Visa Automatically Renewed?

The 10-year residency does not renew automatically. Because it is a renewable residency permit rather than permanent citizenship, authorities require proof that qualifying conditions remain satisfied before issuing a new 10-year cycle.

Renewal Fee Structure and Continuing Requirements

When the 10-year validity expires, the primary applicant must file a renewal. As of October 2026, the official government fee for a 10-year Golden Visa renewal is 9,034. This fee covers qualification re-verification, medical fitness testing, new Emirates ID production, and updated visa stamping.

During renewal, immigration systems review your ongoing eligibility:

• Property Investors: Must present an updated Title Deed proving continued ownership of qualifying real estate.
• Corporate Executives: Must present a current salary certificate and employment contract meeting the prevailing salary threshold.
• Health Clearances: The primary applicant and all adult dependants must pass fresh medical fitness examinations.

Golden Visa Cancellation Charges

If you choose to relocate, switch to a corporate employment visa, or leave the country permanently, you must complete an official cancellation. The statutory government fee for Golden Visa cancellation (applicable to 5-year and 10-year visas) is 590. This step deactivates the file within immigration systems and cancels the associated Emirates ID record.

Checking Your UAE Golden Visa Application Status

Once you lodge your file and pay the required uae golden visa fee, tracking your status ensures any government document queries are handled quickly.

ICP and Amer Tracking Portals

Tracking depends on where your application was submitted:

• Dubai Files: Checked online through the GDRFA portal or Dubai Now service using your Application and Transaction numbers. Amer centres can also access live file updates.
• Abu Dhabi and Northern Emirates Files: Tracked on the federal ICP Smart Services portal using your Request Number or Emirates ID application reference.

Applicants can also check your visa status directly to confirm document requirements prior to formal lodging.

Processing Timelines and Professional Support Packages

Standard processing through standard channels takes approximately 3 to 7 business days once biometric collection and medical testing are complete. For applicants needing dedicated assistance or priority turnaround, management packages are available:

• Normal Package (3–7 Days): 1,500 service charge for standard end-to-end coordination.
• URGENT Package (2–3 Days): 3,000 service charge, including pick-up and drop-off coordination.
• 24-Hour VIP Fast Track: 5,000 service charge, including pick-up and drop-off coordination alongside priority routing.

Payment Rules and Currency Conversions

All UAE government fees are fixed and billed in UAE Dirhams (AED). Applicants remitting funds from international bank accounts in currencies like INR, PKR, or GBP should check live bank rates and factor in foreign remittance spreads.

Government immigration gateways process payments via local cards or official e-clearing systems. Having local currency funds ready prevents transaction delays when submitting your final file at Amer or ICP portals.

Frequently asked questions

What is the official UAE Golden Visa government fee for a primary applicant?

As of October 2026, the official government fee is 9,978 for a primary applicant. This covers nomination processing, entry permit, status modification, medical fitness screening, visa stamping, and the 10-year Emirates ID.

How much does it cost to sponsor family members under a Golden Visa?

Sponsoring an adult dependant (18+) or a parent incurs an official government fee of 4,215, which includes medical fitness and the 10-year Emirates ID. Sponsoring a child under 18 costs 3,895 because minor dependants do not require medical tests.

Does the UAE Golden Visa renew automatically after 10 years?

No. The visa requires a formal renewal application at the end of the 10-year term. The renewal government fee is 9,034, and applicants must demonstrate continued qualification through updated property titles or salary documentation.

What is the government fee to cancel a Golden Visa?

The official government cancellation fee is 590. This covers file closure, electronic de-registration from immigration systems, and card deactivation.