UAE Visa Cost
Calculator 2026

Our calculator uses official 2026 UAE government rates and is updated regularly. Accuracy is 100% for government fees and standard service charges. However, visa agency fees may vary slightly depending on provider. We provide estimates based on average market rates from ICP Dubai, ICP Abu Dhabi, and major visa agencies. Always verify final costs with your chosen visa service provider before payment. Our calculator includes all major cost components: government visa fees (varies by type), typing and service charges (AED 50-150), medical test fees (AED 300-500 for work visas), Emirates ID costs (AED 300-1,000 for residence), biometric fees, and VAT at 5%. The calculator is trusted by over 50,000 users and recommended by visa agencies across UAE for pre-application cost estimates.

UAE tourist visa costs in 2026 range from AED 350 to AED 1,200 depending on duration and entry type: 14-day single entry tourist visa costs AED 350-450 (cheapest option for short trips), 30-day single entry tourist visa costs AED 550-650 (most popular for standard holidays), 60-day single entry tourist visa costs AED 650-750 (extended stays), 30-day multiple entry visa costs AED 780-850 (frequent travelers), 60-day multiple entry costs AED 900-980, 90-day multiple entry visa costs AED 1,000-1,200 (maximum duration). These prices include government fees, service charges, and 5% VAT. Express processing adds AED 200-400 extra. Urgent same-day processing costs additional AED 500-800. Prices vary slightly by application channel: ICP Smart Services portal (cheapest), airlines like Emirates/FlyDubai add AED 50-100, visa agencies add AED 150-250 but provide full service. Use our tourist visa calculator above to get exact cost estimates based on your specific requirements including number of travelers, duration, and processing speed.

UAE visa costs typically include these components: (1) Government visa fee - varies by visa type and duration (tourist AED 250-600, work visa AED 2,000-3,000, family visa AED 2,500+), (2) Service/typing charges - AED 50-150 depending on provider (ICP portal lowest, agencies higher), (3) VAT at 5% - applied to all fees and services, (4) Processing fee - for application handling, document verification, and visa issuance, (5) E-visa delivery - digital visa sent to email as PDF. Additional costs NOT included in basic visa fee but may be required: Medical fitness test (AED 300-500 mandatory for work and residence visas), Emirates ID application (AED 300-1,000 for residence visas based on validity period), Biometric registration fees (sometimes separate), Document attestation and translation (if documents not in English/Arabic, AED 50-200 per document), Travel insurance (optional for tourist visa but recommended AED 50-150), Courier charges if physical documents needed, Express processing fees if urgent (AED 200-800 extra depending on speed). Our detailed calculators break down all these costs transparently so you know exactly what you're paying for before applying.

Standard UAE visa processing times in 2026: Tourist visas typically processed in 3-5 business days through ICP portal or agencies, airlines (Emirates, FlyDubai) process in 24-48 hours, Work/employment visas take 5-7 days excluding medical test (add 2-3 days for medical), Family and dependent visas need 7-14 days including document verification, Student visas require 5-10 days depending on university sponsorship, Golden visa processing takes 7-15 days with Emirates ID, Transit visas fastest at 1-3 business days. Express processing options available: Fast track (24-48 hours) costs additional AED 200-300, Urgent processing (4-12 hours) adds AED 400-600 to base cost, Same-day emergency (2-4 hours) costs extra AED 500-800, Some agencies offer 1-2 hour super urgent at AED 800-1,200 extra. Processing times affected by: Application completeness (missing documents delay by 3-7 days), Peak seasons (December, Ramadan, summer add 2-3 days), Weekends and UAE public holidays (Friday-Saturday add 2 days), Nationality (some countries have longer verification), Previous UAE visit history. Recommendation: Apply at least 10 days before travel for stress-free standard processing. For urgent travel within 3 days, use express services through visa agencies. Track your application using reference number provided after submission.

Yes! NEW 2026 rule allows tourist visa extension without leaving UAE. Extension costs: AED 630 if applied from outside UAE (before arrival or during visa validity abroad), AED 1,130 if applied from inside UAE after arrival (higher fee for convenience). Each extension provides additional 30 days stay period. Maximum 2 extensions allowed (total 60 days extra beyond original visa). Extension process: Visit ICP Smart Services portal at smartservices.icp.gov.ae or go to Amer centers in Dubai/Abu Dhabi in person, submit passport copy, current visa copy, and accommodation proof, provide reason for extension (tourism, business meetings, family visit), pay extension fees online via credit card or at counter, processing takes 3-5 business days for online, same-day at Amer centers, new visa stamp issued electronically to email. IMPORTANT rules: Must apply BEFORE current visa expires - no extensions after expiry (only overstay fine payment), Tourist visa on arrival (for eligible countries) can also be extended using same process, No grace period - if visa expires before extension approved, you pay AED 200/day overstay fine plus extension fee, Extension validity starts from when current visa expires (not from application date). Benefits: No need to exit UAE and re-enter (saves flight costs AED 500-1,500), Can continue UAE activities without interruption, Family can stay together longer. Use our visa extension calculator to estimate exact costs based on your situation.

Basic documents required for all UAE visa applications: (1) Valid passport - minimum 6 months validity from travel date, clear color scan of bio-data page and back cover, no damage or alterations allowed, (2) Recent passport photograph - pure white background (cream or off-white rejected), 35mm x 45mm standard passport size, taken within last 3 months, face covering 70-80% of photo area, neutral expression, no glasses or head coverings (except religious), (3) Completed application form - filled online via ICP portal or visa agency website, all fields required with accurate information matching passport exactly, (4) Confirmed flight tickets - round-trip or onward booking showing departure dates, e-ticket or booking confirmation from airline, passenger name must match passport, (5) Accommodation proof - hotel booking confirmation for entire stay duration OR UAE resident host invitation letter with Emirates ID copy and contact details. Additional documents by visa type: Tourist visa - travel insurance copy (optional but recommended), bank statements last 3 months (sometimes requested), Work visa - employment contract signed by UAE employer, educational certificates attested, experience letters from previous employers, employer's trade license copy, NOC from current employer if applicable, Family visa - marriage certificate attested (for spouse), birth certificates attested (for children), sponsor's salary certificate (minimum AED 4,000 or AED 10,000 for parents), tenancy contract showing suitable accommodation, Student visa - university admission letter, tuition payment receipt, sponsor's financial documents, educational transcripts. Document requirements: All documents must be clear color scans or photos, PDF or JPEG format maximum 5MB per file, English or Arabic language (other languages require certified translation AED 50-200 per document), No expired documents accepted. Check our country-specific guides for additional requirements based on your nationality.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi tourist visa costs are nearly identical (difference of AED 0-50 maximum) since both use UAE federal immigration system and same government fee structure. However, slight variations exist: Dubai processing via ICP Dubai portal costs AED 550-650 for 30-day single entry tourist visa, Abu Dhabi processing via ICP Abu Dhabi costs AED 530-630 for same visa type (AED 20-30 cheaper sometimes). Cost differences come from: Service provider charges - typing centers in each emirate have slightly different rates, visa agency fees - competition levels differ between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, processing speed options - express services priced differently, peak season pricing - tourist season affects Dubai more (higher demand = higher agency fees). IMPORTANT: A visa issued by any UAE emirate is valid for ENTIRE UAE - you can enter through Dubai airport even with Abu Dhabi-issued visa and vice versa, travel freely between all 7 emirates once inside UAE, stay anywhere regardless of issuing emirate. For work and residence visas, emirate differences are more significant: Free zone company visas (DMCC, DAFZA, ADGM) have different fee structures, mainland company visas vary by emirate's economic department, Emirates ID fees same across UAE but application centers vary, medical test costs differ: Dubai AED 300-350, Abu Dhabi AED 350-400, other emirates AED 250-350. Recommendation for cheapest option: Apply directly through ICP portal (lowest fees regardless of emirate), compare Dubai and Abu Dhabi ICP prices before applying, avoid peak tourist seasons (December, New Year, Eid) when agencies increase prices, use standard processing instead of express to save AED 200-400. Use our emirate comparison tool and visa cost calculator to see exact differences for your specific situation.

Travel insurance is NOT mandatory for UAE tourist visa applications but HIGHLY recommended for protection. While UAE immigration doesn't require insurance proof during visa application submission, benefits include: Medical emergency coverage - hospital costs in UAE are expensive (basic consultation AED 300-500, emergency room visit AED 1,000-3,000, hospitalization AED 5,000-50,000+), COVID-19 and infectious disease coverage for testing and treatment if required during stay, trip cancellation and interruption protection if visa rejected or travel plans change (can recover visa fees and flight costs), lost luggage and baggage delay compensation, passport and document replacement assistance if lost or stolen in UAE, 24/7 emergency hotline support in multiple languages, medical evacuation to home country if serious illness (costs AED 50,000-200,000 without insurance). Travel insurance costs in 2026: Basic coverage AED 50-100 for 30-day UAE visit (emergency medical only), comprehensive plans AED 150-300 for 30 days (medical + trip + baggage), family packages AED 250-500 for family of 4 for 30 days, annual multi-trip policies AED 600-1,200 for frequent travelers (covers multiple UAE visits). Countries where UAE travel insurance may be required for visa: Pakistan (sometimes requested by agencies), Bangladesh (some applicants asked), India (case-by-case basis), Afghanistan (often required), certain African nations (embassy may require). Insurance can be purchased: During visa application process through visa agencies (convenient but slightly expensive), separately through international providers (World Nomads, SafetyWing, Allianz cheaper), at UAE airport on arrival (most expensive option, limited coverage), through your home country insurance companies before travel. What insurance should cover for UAE: Minimum AED 150,000 medical coverage recommended, COVID-19 and pandemic coverage included, emergency dental treatment, repatriation coverage, 24-hour assistance. Use our travel insurance calculator to estimate costs based on your trip duration, number of travelers, and coverage level needed.

Tourist visa and visit visa are essentially the SAME in UAE with no practical difference in 2026. Both terms are used interchangeably to describe short-term entry permits for non-employment purposes. Official terminology: UAE immigration calls them "tourist visa" or "visit visa" - both valid terms, most portals and agencies use "tourist visa" more commonly, government forms may say "visit visa", airlines typically say "tourist visa". What they cover: Leisure tourism and sightseeing, family visits to UAE residents, business meetings and conferences (not work), medical treatment and health tourism, short-term courses and training (under 60 days), property viewing for potential buyers. No difference in: Visa costs - same fees apply regardless of terminology, application process - identical procedures, validity periods - both offer 14, 30, 60, and 90-day options, requirements - same documents needed, entry permissions - both allow entry through any UAE port. Slight historical context: "Visit visa" was older term used before 2010s, "Tourist visa" became more common term after 2015, some embassies still officially use "visit visa" term, ICP portals use both terms interchangeably, visa sticker/stamp may say either term. When people distinguish between them: Some agents claim "visit visa" is for family visits, "tourist visa" is for sightseeing - this is INCORRECT marketing, actual visa type is identical with same permissions, purpose stated on application form doesn't limit activities (can do both tourism and family visit). Bottom line: Don't worry about the terminology - tourist visa = visit visa in UAE. When applying, you can select either term, visa agencies understand they're the same, both allow same activities and duration, costs identical for both terms. If someone tries to charge differently for "tourist" vs "visit" visa, they're misleading you - it's the same visa with different names. Use our tourist visa calculator which covers all short-term visit purposes regardless of terminology.

UAE Golden Visa costs range from AED 5,000 to AED 15,000+ depending on duration and category. Complete cost breakdown: 5-year Golden Visa total costs AED 5,000-8,000 including: visa fee AED 3,000-4,000, Emirates ID for 5 years AED 1,500, medical fitness test AED 300-500, typing and service charges AED 200-300, biometric registration AED 100, application processing AED 500-1,000 (varies by sponsor type). 10-year Golden Visa total costs AED 8,000-15,000 including: visa fee AED 5,000-7,000, Emirates ID for 10 years AED 3,000, medical test AED 300-500, application services AED 500-1,500, family sponsorship additional per person (spouse AED 3,500, children AED 2,500 each). Costs vary by category: Investors (real estate AED 2M+ or business) - self-processing AED 5,000-7,000, through agents AED 10,000-15,000 with full service, Entrepreneurs with successful startups - similar to investors, Specialized talents (doctors, scientists, artists) - government may sponsor at reduced cost AED 3,000-5,000, Outstanding students (GPA 3.75+) - university sponsored often free or AED 2,000-3,000, Exceptional professionals (engineers, IT specialists) - employer sponsored AED 5,000-8,000. Additional ongoing costs: Visa renewal every 5-10 years at same cost, medical test every 5 years AED 300-500, Emirates ID renewal matching visa period. Benefits justify the higher cost: No sponsor needed - completely independent, can sponsor family members (unlimited), work anywhere in UAE without restrictions, can stay outside UAE unlimited time without cancellation, 100% business ownership allowed, access to exclusive benefits and services, long-term stability and residence. Golden Visa eligibility and application: Must meet one of eligible categories (investor, entrepreneur, professional, student, etc.), apply through ICP portal or authorized typing centers, processing 10-15 business days after document submission, requires initial approval before payment. Use our Golden Visa calculator to estimate exact costs based on your category, family size, and whether applying independently or through agent.

Absolutely NO - working on UAE tourist visa is ILLEGAL and has severe consequences. Tourist visa does NOT permit ANY form of employment or paid work in UAE. Activities prohibited on tourist visa: Taking up employment (paid or unpaid), working as freelancer or independent contractor, providing professional services for payment, operating a business or trade, engaging in any income-generating activities, even volunteering for organizations that could be considered work. Consequences of working illegally on tourist visa: Immediate arrest and detention when caught, heavy fines up to AED 50,000 (approximately USD 13,600), imprisonment for 6 months to 3 years depending on violation severity and duration, deportation to home country at your own expense, permanent blacklisting from UAE (ban from re-entry for 5 years to lifetime), ban may extend to all GCC countries in serious cases, criminal record affecting future visa applications worldwide, employer also faces heavy fines (AED 50,000 per illegal worker), company may lose trade license for employing illegal workers. How UAE immigration detects illegal work: Workplace raids by immigration officers (regular inspections), employer audits and document verification, complaints from public or competitors, electronic tracking systems monitor visa holders' activities, bank transactions and money transfers tracked, social media posts about work can be evidence, unexpected police checks at offices and construction sites. To work LEGALLY in UAE you must: Obtain proper employment visa sponsored by licensed UAE company (employer handles application), complete medical fitness test and security clearance (required for work visa), get attested educational certificates and experience documents, receive Emirates ID as work permit (mandatory for all employees), sign valid employment contract approved by Ministry of Human Resources. Employment visa costs: AED 3,500-5,000 for complete processing (employer usually pays), takes 3-4 weeks from start to completion, requires UAE employer to sponsor and handle application, medical test AED 300-500, Emirates ID AED 300-1,000 depending on duration. What IS allowed on tourist visa: Tourism and sightseeing activities, visiting family and friends in UAE, business meetings and conferences (cannot work or receive payment), networking events and job interviews, medical treatment and health consultations, attending training courses and workshops (non-work related), property viewing for potential purchase. Bottom line: NEVER work on tourist visa even if employer offers. Risk far outweighs any benefit. UAE has sophisticated detection systems and penalties are severe. Always get proper work visa before starting employment. Use our work visa calculator to estimate legal employment visa costs.