Ask a UAE free zone how much a visa costs and you will get a single number — their visa allocation fee. But that number is only a fraction of what you actually pay. Between government processing fees, medical examinations, Emirates ID issuance, health insurance, and PRO services, the true cost of a single UAE visa in 2026 is 2-3x the headline figure.
This guide breaks down every fee involved in obtaining a UAE residence visa through a free zone company, with exact AED amounts for 2026.
How UAE Free Zone Visas Work
When you set up a free zone company, you receive a visa quota — the number of residence visas your company can sponsor. The process for each visa involves:
- Visa allocation — The free zone assigns a visa slot from your quota
- Entry permit — An entry permit is issued for the visa holder to enter/remain in the UAE
- Status change — If the person is already in the UAE on a visit visa, their status must be changed
- Medical fitness test — A mandatory health screening at an approved centre
- Emirates ID biometrics — Fingerprinting and photo capture for the national ID card
- Visa stamping — The residence visa is stamped into the passport
- Health insurance — Mandatory in Dubai and Abu Dhabi; strongly recommended elsewhere
Each step carries its own fee. Let us itemise them.
Complete Visa Cost Breakdown
Government Fees (Fixed, All Zones)
These fees are set by the UAE government and apply regardless of which free zone you use:
| Fee Component | Cost (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry permit issuance | 1,100–1,200 | Standard 2-year employment entry permit |
| Status change (if in UAE) | 500–700 | Required if applicant is on a visit visa |
| Medical fitness test | 300–500 | DHA-approved centres (Dubai); MOHAP elsewhere |
| Emirates ID typing fee | 70–100 | Typing centre or online submission |
| Emirates ID card issuance | 100/year of validity | AED 200 for a 2-year visa |
| Visa stamping fee | 500–700 | Passport stamping at immigration |
| Establishment card (first visa only) | 2,000–2,500 | One-time company registration with GDRFA |
| GDRFA e-channel registration | 1,000–1,500 | Annual online immigration portal access |
| Subtotal (first visa) | 5,570–7,200 | Including establishment card |
| Subtotal (subsequent visas) | 2,570–3,200 | Without establishment card |
Free Zone Visa Allocation Fees
On top of government fees, each free zone charges its own visa allocation fee:
| Free Zone | Per-Visa Fee (AED) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Shams | 2,018 | Visa allocation only |
| DWTC | 2,100 | Visa allocation only |
| JAFZA | 2,250 | Visa allocation + basic processing |
| RAKEZ | 2,400 | Visa allocation only |
| Meydan | 3,150 | Visa allocation + expedited processing |
| IFZA | 3,200 | Visa allocation only |
| DMCC | 3,500 | Visa allocation + processing support |
| ADGM | 4,000 | Visa allocation + processing |
| DIFC | 4,000 | Visa allocation + dedicated support |
True First-Visa Cost by Zone
Combining government fees and zone-specific fees, here is what your first visa actually costs:
| Free Zone | Zone Fee | Gov't Fees (First Visa) | Health Insurance | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shams | 2,018 | 5,570–7,200 | 650–1,200 | 8,238–10,418 |
| RAKEZ | 2,400 | 5,570–7,200 | 650–1,200 | 8,620–10,800 |
| DWTC | 2,100 | 5,570–7,200 | 650–1,200 | 8,320–10,500 |
| JAFZA | 2,250 | 5,570–7,200 | 650–1,200 | 8,470–10,650 |
| Meydan | 3,150 | 5,570–7,200 | 650–1,200 | 9,370–11,550 |
| IFZA | 3,200 | 5,570–7,200 | 650–1,200 | 9,420–11,600 |
| DMCC | 3,500 | 5,570–7,200 | 650–1,200 | 9,720–11,900 |
| DIFC | 4,000 | 5,570–7,200 | 650–1,200 | 10,220–12,400 |
The gap between the cheapest option (Shams) and the most expensive (DIFC) is roughly AED 2,000 per visa.
Health Insurance: The Mandatory Variable
Dubai and Abu Dhabi mandate health insurance for all visa holders. The cost varies significantly by coverage level:
Dubai (DHA-Regulated Plans)
| Plan Type | Annual Premium (AED) | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Essential Benefits Plan | 650–800 | Minimum DHA-compliant; limited network |
| Standard plan | 1,200–2,500 | Broader network, outpatient included |
| Enhanced plan | 2,500–5,000 | International hospitals, dental, optical |
| Premium plan | 5,000–12,000 | Global coverage, premium hospitals |
Abu Dhabi (DAMAN/Thiqa-Regulated)
| Plan Type | Annual Premium (AED) |
|---|---|
| Basic plan | 700–1,000 |
| Enhanced plan | 1,500–4,000 |
Other Emirates
Health insurance is not legally mandatory in Sharjah, RAK, Ajman, UAQ, or Fujairah, but most employers provide it. Basic plans start at AED 500–700.
Family Insurance Costs
Sponsoring family members adds significant insurance costs:
| Family Member | Additional Annual Premium (AED) |
|---|---|
| Spouse | 1,200–5,000 |
| Child (under 18) | 800–3,000 |
| Dependent parent | 3,000–8,000 (age-dependent) |
Dependent Visa Costs
If you sponsor family members on dependent visas, each dependent incurs:
| Fee Component | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Dependent entry permit | 1,100–1,300 |
| Medical test | 300–500 |
| Emirates ID | 200 (for 2-year visa) |
| Visa stamping | 500–700 |
| Health insurance | 800–5,000 |
| Total per dependent | 2,900–7,700 |
Salary Thresholds for Family Sponsorship
To sponsor dependents, you must meet minimum salary requirements:
- Spouse: AED 4,000/month + accommodation, or AED 3,000/month with company accommodation
- Children: Same as spouse
- Parents: AED 20,000/month (or equivalent)
Free zone entrepreneurs who draw a salary from their own company can set their salary to meet these thresholds.
Golden Visa: The Long-Term Option
The UAE Golden Visa (5 or 10 years) offers a longer residency period but comes with different costs:
| Component | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Golden Visa application fee | 2,800–3,500 |
| Medical test | 300–500 |
| Emirates ID (10-year) | 1,000 |
| Visa stamping | 500–700 |
| Insurance (10-year commitment) | 6,500–50,000 |
| Total | 11,100–55,700 |
Golden Visa Eligibility for Free Zone Entrepreneurs
- Investors: AED 2 million+ in investments or company capital
- Entrepreneurs: Approved by an accredited UAE incubator/accelerator
- Specialised talent: Doctors, engineers, scientists, artists, athletes
- Exceptional students: Top GPA holders from UAE universities
The per-year cost of a Golden Visa is often lower than renewing a standard 2-year visa every cycle, making it worthwhile if you qualify.
Visa Renewal vs. New Visa: Cost Comparison
When your visa expires (typically after 2-3 years), you have two options:
Option A: Visa Renewal
| Fee | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Medical fitness renewal | 300–500 |
| Emirates ID renewal | 200–400 |
| Visa stamping | 500–700 |
| Free zone visa renewal fee | Varies by zone |
| Insurance renewal | 650–5,000 |
| Total | 1,650–6,600 + zone fee |
Option B: Cancel and Re-Apply
Sometimes necessary if changing sponsors, activities, or zones:
| Fee | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Visa cancellation | 300–500 |
| New entry permit | 1,100–1,200 |
| Status change | 500–700 |
| Medical test | 300–500 |
| Emirates ID | 200 |
| Visa stamping | 500–700 |
| Total | 2,900–3,800 + zone fee |
Renewal is almost always cheaper. Cancel-and-reissue only makes sense when changing your visa sponsor.
PRO and Typing Services
Unless you handle government applications yourself, you will need PRO (Public Relations Officer) services:
| Service | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Visa application submission | 200–500 |
| Medical test coordination | 150–300 |
| Emirates ID biometrics booking | 100–200 |
| Full visa processing (end-to-end) | 500–1,500 |
| Document typing (per form) | 50–100 |
Some free zones include PRO services in their visa packages. Others charge separately or require you to use their authorised service providers.
How to Save on Visa Costs
1. Choose a Low-Fee Zone
For visa-heavy businesses, the per-visa zone fee matters significantly:
2. Bundle Medical and Insurance
Some providers offer combined medical fitness + health insurance packages at a discount. Ask your free zone for approved providers.
3. DIY What You Can
The medical test and Emirates ID biometrics can be done without a PRO. Walk-in appointments are available at most centres. Savings: AED 300–500 per visa.
4. Consider the Golden Visa
If you qualify, the 10-year Golden Visa eliminates renewal cycles and their associated costs. Over 10 years, a Golden Visa can save AED 10,000–20,000 compared to five 2-year visa renewals.
5. Time Your Applications
Avoid peak processing periods (September–November, January) when wait times and expedite fees are higher. Processing in March–June tends to be faster and smoother.
Common Visa Mistakes to Avoid
- Not budgeting for establishment card — This AED 2,000–2,500 one-time cost catches many first-time entrepreneurs off guard
- Forgetting insurance — Processing a visa without insurance lined up can delay the entire process
- Ignoring salary requirements — If you want to sponsor family, set your salary appropriately from the start
- Missing renewal deadlines — Overstay fines of AED 125–200/day add up fast
- Not comparing zones — A AED 2,000 difference in visa fees over 3 visas means AED 6,000 saved annually
Bottom Line
A UAE residence visa in 2026 costs between AED 8,000 and AED 12,500 for your first visa (including all government fees, zone fees, and basic health insurance). Subsequent visas in the same company cost AED 3,500–7,500 each.
The free zone's advertised visa fee — typically AED 2,000–4,000 — represents only 25-40% of the true cost. Factor in every fee from day one, and you will avoid the budget shock that derails many new UAE businesses.
Use our cost comparison tool to see the full visa cost picture across all major free zones.
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