Typical end-to-end per applicant
Depending on visa category
Once your own residency is issued
| Visa type | Indicative cost (AED) | Validity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investor / partner visa | 4,000 – 6,500 | 2–3 years | Includes medical, Emirates ID and stamping |
| Employment visa | 4,500 – 7,000 | 2 years | Adds work permit and labour contract fees |
| Family / spouse visa | 4,500 – 7,000 | 2–3 years | Per dependent; attestation costs extra |
| Freelance permit and visa | 7,500 – 20,000 | 1–3 years | Permit plus visa, varies widely by issuing authority |
| Golden Visa | 6,500 + government fees | 10 years | Assessment, nomination and submission |
| Establishment & immigration cards | 2,000 – 3,000 | Per company | One-off, then renewed with the licence |
| Health insurance | 900 – 3,500 per year | Annual | Mandatory for every sponsored resident |
Indicative 2026 ranges. Express processing, outside-country applications and certain nationalities attract different fees.
Two to four weeks per applicant once the company’s immigration file is open. The sequence is entry permit, then status change inside the country or entry on the permit, then medical fitness test, then Emirates ID biometrics, then visa stamping. The applicant must be physically in the UAE for the medical and biometrics — those two steps cannot be done remotely.
Standard residence visas issued through a company are typically two years, with three years common in some free zones for investors. Golden Visas run for ten years, and the Green Visa for five. Visas lapse if the holder stays outside the UAE for more than six consecutive months.
Yes, once your own residence visa is issued and you hold an Emirates ID. Sponsoring a spouse and children requires a minimum salary — commonly AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation — plus attested marriage and birth certificates and suitable housing. Sponsoring parents is possible but attracts higher income thresholds and a deposit. See family and dependent visas.
A residence visa is automatically cancelled after six consecutive months outside the UAE, with limited exceptions. If you travel heavily, tell us at the outset — a Golden Visa, which is not subject to the same rule in the same way, may be the better structure for you.
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