Sponsoring family members in Dubai involves several distinct services and authorities, each with its own fee: the GDRFA Dubai for entry and residence permits, the ICP for Emirates ID, and Dubai Health Authority-approved centres for medical fitness. EGSH’s consultants help clients complete these procedures correctly with the relevant authorities so that each family member’s status, documents and payments are aligned.
This guide is for expatriate residents and UAE citizens in Dubai sponsoring spouses, children, parents or other eligible dependants, as well as HR/PRO teams handling dependent visas. It uses figures taken from the GDRFA Dubai, the ICP and the UAE Government portal to explain Dubai family visa costs in Dubai per person, including issuance, renewal, overstay fines and cancellation.
You will see how Dubai family visa fees differ when the dependent is inside or outside the UAE, how fees change with visa duration, and where extra costs arise for medical fitness tests and Emirates ID. The article also covers grace periods, overstay fines, and gives sample scenarios so you can estimate the cost of sponsoring a family in Dubai in realistic cases.
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Why Understanding Dubai Family Visa Fees Matters
A Dubai family residence visa is usually valid for one to three years, so the real cost is not just the initial visa sticker or eResidence, but a series of per-person payments over time. Without a clear breakdown, sponsors can be caught unawares by status change fees, Emirates ID charges, or medical tests for adult dependants.
Knowing the full Dubai family visa fee breakdown per member helps you decide when to start applications, how long to sponsor each dependent for, and how to avoid penalties. It also supports compliance with the GDRFA Dubai timelines, especially around renewals and cancellations.
What Is A Dubai Family Residence Visa, And Who Can Sponsor?
Under the GDRFA Dubai rules, a family residence visa is a permit issued to eligible foreign family members sponsored by a resident expatriate or UAE citizen. The permit allows the family member to live in Dubai legally and, subject to separate approvals, access services such as schooling, banking and healthcare.
Sponsors must hold a valid UAE residence permit (or be UAE citizens), meet specific income and accommodation criteria, and prove the family relationship through attested documents. Detailed eligibility requirements, including which relatives can be sponsored and applicable salary thresholds, are set out by GDRFA Dubai and should always be checked there before applying.
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Overview Of Mandatory Cost Components Per Family Member
For each sponsored family member, Dubai dependent visa fees typically combine several government charges and some third‑party costs. In most cases, you should expect, per person:
- Sponsor file registration (only once, when a resident sponsors family for the first time).
- Residence entry permit (different totals for applications inside vs outside the UAE).
- Residence permit issuance or renewal fee, which varies with the chosen visa duration.
- Medical fitness test fee for applicants aged 18 or above at a DHA-approved centre.
- Emirates ID issuance or renewal fee with the ICP, plus the application form charge.
- Possible overstay fines on entry permits or after residence expiry, and cancellation fees if you end a visa early.
Amer Centre or other typing service charges are usually added to the official GDRFA and ICP government fees. However, these service charges are not specified in the GDRFA’s published schedules and must be checked directly with the service provider.
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New Family Residence Visa – Detailed Fee Breakdown Per Member
A new family visa involves several sequential steps, each billed separately. Family visa costs in Dubai need to be calculated step by step for every dependent, rather than being treated as a single flat amount.
Sponsor File Registration (First-Time Family Sponsorship)
When a resident sponsors individuals for the first time, the GDRFA Dubai requires opening a sponsor file before any dependent applications are accepted. According to the GDRFA sponsor file service, the government fee is AED 200 plus 5% VAT, with an additional AED 10 Knowledge Dirham and AED 10 Innovation Dirham.
This requirement applies once per sponsor, not per dependent. Once the sponsor file is created, the same file is used for subsequent family sponsorships, so you do not pay this charge again for each family member.
Entry Permit For Residence Without Work – Family Sponsorship (Outside vs Inside UAE)
For each dependent, the process starts with an “Entry permit for residence without work – Family Sponsorship”. The GDRFA service page states a base fee of AED 200 plus 5% VAT per sponsored person, regardless of whether the person is inside or outside the UAE at the time of application.
If the family member is inside the UAE, the GDRFA adds AED 10 Knowledge Dirham, AED 10 Innovation Dirham and an AED 500 “fee inside the country” related to status change. Separately, the GDRFA’s FAQ summarises typical total residence entry permit visa fees as AED 1,035 per sponsored person when they are inside the country and AED 365 when they are outside.
Status Change And In-Country Surcharges
When a dependent is already in the UAE on another visa (for example, a visit visa) and you apply for a family residence permit without them exiting, a status change is usually processed. The GDRFA Dubai reflects this through the AED 500 “fee inside the country” on both entry permit and residence services.
Dependants who enter Dubai directly on a residence entry permit from outside the UAE do not pay this status change fee. However, they still pay the base entry permit charges and associated VAT and dirham fees, and must complete the remaining steps (medical fitness, Emirates ID, residence stamping) within the validity of the entry permit.
Residence Permit Issuance Fees By Duration
After entry and medical fitness, the GDRFA issues the actual residence permit for the foreign family member. The “Issuance of a residence permit for foreign family members” service shows a base issuance fee of AED 200 per person.
The GDRFA also indicates that if the residence duration exceeds two years, the issuance fee increases by AED 100 for each additional year. For example, a three‑year residence would typically attract an issuance fee of AED 300 instead of AED 200. When the sponsored person is in the UAE, additional charges apply: AED 10 Knowledge Dirham, AED 10 Innovation Dirham, AED 500 fee inside the country, and AED 20 delivery fee for the residence card or sticker.
Medical Fitness And Emirates ID Costs
Before the GDRFA issues or renews a residence permit, every family member aged 18 or above must pass a medical fitness test at an approved health centre. The requirement is noted on the GDRFA’s residence issuance and renewal services, but each DHA‑approved clinic sets its own tariffs. As an example only, Smart Salem, a DHA-authorised premium medical fitness centre in Dubai, publicly lists a Dubai visa medical test cost of AED 750 for residence visa applicants; other centres may charge more or less.
In parallel, each sponsored family member must obtain or renew an Emirates ID card through the ICP. The ICP confirms that the Emirates ID issuance or renewal fee for expatriate residents is AED 100 per year (or part of a year) of residence validity. In addition, there is an Emirates ID application form fee of AED 70 when applying via typing offices, or AED 40 when using the ICP website or smart application. These charges apply to each dependent, and the Emirates ID validity is generally aligned with the residence permit.
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Residence Renewal Fees For Family Members In Dubai
Renewal essentially repeats several components of the initial process for each dependent: residence permit fee, Emirates ID, and medical fitness for adults. Timely renewal is vital because overstay fines commence after the grace period if the permit is not renewed or cancelled.
Base Renewal Fee And Additional Annual Charge
For “Residence renewal for family members of foreign residents”, the GDRFA specifies a renewal fee of AED 200 per sponsored person. When renewal is processed while the family member is inside the UAE, extra charges mirror those for issuance: AED 10 Knowledge Dirham, AED 10 Innovation Dirham, AED 500 fee inside the country, and AED 20 delivery fee.
The GDRFA also applies the same rule as for issuance: the residence renewal fee increases by AED 100 for each additional year whenever the residence duration is more than two years. Choosing a three‑year renewal, therefore, increases the basic residence component compared to a one‑ or two‑year renewal.
Renewal Totals When Sponsor Is An Expatriate (GDRFA FAQ)
To simplify planning, the GDRFA’s Dubai FAQ publishes typical total Dubai family visa renewal fees when the sponsor is an expatriate resident. These figures are per dependent:
- 1‑year renewal: AED 360.
- 2‑year renewal: AED 460.
- 3‑year renewal: AED 560.
These totals combine the residence renewal fee and applicable GDRFA surcharges, but exclude separate medical fitness and Emirates ID renewal fees.
Renewal Totals When The Sponsor Is A UAE Citizen (GDRFA FAQ)
For dependants of UAE citizen sponsors, the GDRFA’s FAQ indicates lower total renewal amounts per sponsored person. The published figures are:
- 1‑year renewal: AED 310.
- 2‑year renewal: AED 410.
- 3‑year renewal: AED 510.
The underlying procedure is broadly similar, but Dubai family visa fees for dependants are slightly lower when the sponsor is a UAE citizen than when the sponsor is an expatriate.
Syncing Renewals With Emirates ID And Medical Fitness
Because Emirates ID validity is usually tied to the residence permit’s validity, the ICP’s fee of AED 100 per year, plus the AED 70 (typing office) or AED 40 (online) application fee, will generally become due each time you renew a dependent’s visa. For example, a three‑year renewal would normally involve Emirates ID government fees of AED 300 plus the relevant application fee for that person.
The GDRFA’s rules on medical fitness continue to apply on renewal, so every family member aged 18 or above must take and pass a medical fitness test at an approved centre before their residence can be renewed. The Dubai visa medical test cost is charged by the medical provider and is not included in the GDRFA renewal totals.
Snapshot: Annualised Renewal Costs Per Dependent (Excluding Medical & Emirates ID)
| Sponsor type | Visa duration | GDRFA FAQ total renewal fee per dependent (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Expatriate | 1 year | 360 |
| Expatriate | 2 years | 460 |
| Expatriate | 3 years | 560 |
| UAE citizen | 1 year | 310 |
| UAE citizen | 2 years | 410 |
| UAE citizen | 3 years | 510 |
These figures are indicative of the GDRFA totals for residence renewal only and do not include Emirates ID or medical fitness fees.
Other Possible Costs: Overstay Fines, Cancellation And Emirates ID Replacement
Beyond standard issuance and renewal, additional Dubai residence visa fees for dependants can arise in certain situations. Common examples include overstaying after an entry permit or residence visa has expired, cancelling a visa early, or replacing a lost or damaged Emirates ID.
Overstay Fines And Grace Periods
If a person overstays beyond the allowed period on a residence entry permit, an overstay fine of AED 25 per day applies for each day of delay. This makes it essential to either complete the status change and residence issuance within the entry permit's validity or leave the UAE before it expires.
After a residence permit is cancelled or expires, foreign residents usually have a 60‑day grace period to remain in the UAE. Once the 60 days pass without renewal, new sponsorship or departure, overstay fines may begin accumulating on a daily basis, so sponsors should plan renewals and cancellations well before deadlines.
Residence Cancellation Fees (Individual vs Company Sponsors)
When you decide to cancel a family member’s residence visa, the GDRFA applies specific cancellation fees depending on who the sponsor is and whether the person is inside or outside the UAE.
- For individual sponsors, when the family member is inside the UAE: AED 190 plus Amer Centre service fees (not specified by GDRFA).
- For individual sponsors, when the family member is outside the UAE: AED 290 plus Amer Centre service fees.
- For company sponsors of dependants, cancellation inside the UAE: company cancellation fee of AED 225.
- For company sponsors of dependants, cancellation outside the UAE: company cancellation fee of AED 325.
Amer Centre or other typing office charges are separate from these government fees and vary by provider, so you should confirm the exact payable amount directly with the service centre before initiating cancellation.
Lost Or Damaged Emirates ID Replacement Costs
If a sponsored family member’s Emirates ID card is lost or damaged, the ICP requires applying for a replacement. Replacement of a resident’s Emirates ID incurs:
- A replacement fee of AED 300.
- An application fee of AED 70 if the request is submitted through typing centres, or AED 40 if submitted via ICP’s eForm or online channels.
- An optional express replacement service for an additional AED 150, for those who require faster processing.
These Emirates ID replacement fees apply per affected family member and are in addition to any ongoing visa, renewal or overstay costs that may also be due.
Sample Cost Scenarios Per Family Member
The Dubai family residence visa cost per person always depends on individual circumstances, but combining the official fee elements provides useful planning benchmarks. The examples below are based on the GDRFA, ICP and exclude any Amer Centre or other typing service charges.
Scenario 1 – New 2‑Year Spouse Visa, Dependent Outside UAE
Assume an expatriate sponsor is opening a sponsor file for the first time and sponsoring a spouse abroad for a two‑year family visa. The approximate government costs would include: one‑off sponsor file registration (AED 200 + VAT + KD + ID), entry permit outside the UAE of AED 365, residence permit issuance fee of AED 200 for two years, Emirates ID fees of AED 200 (AED 100 per year) plus the Emirates ID application fee, and a medical fitness test for an adult (for example, AED 750 at Smart Salem).
Scenario 2 – Renewing A Child’s Residence Visa For 3 Years (Expatriate Sponsor)
For a minor child, no medical fitness test is required, but residence and Emirates ID must still be renewed. With an expatriate sponsor, a typical three‑year dependant residence renewal fee is AED 560 per child. You would add Emirates ID renewal fees of AED 300 (AED 100 per year) plus the application fee (AED 70 via typing centre or AED 40 via ICP online) for that child.
How EGSH Supports Family Visa Applications In Dubai
EGSH is a licensed government services centre in Dubai that helps residents and companies navigate the GDRFA and ICP procedures for family sponsorship. EGSH’s consultants review your documents, confirm which family members are eligible, and calculate the likely Dubai residence visa fees for dependants in your specific situation.
Through the EGSH, you can submit sponsor file requests, entry permit and residence applications, renewals and cancellations, with coordination handled directly with the GDRFA Dubai, the ICP and other relevant authorities. EGSH also tracks application statuses and arranges fee collection and result delivery, while final decisions and tariffs remain with the competent government bodies.
FAQ
How much does a family visa cost in Dubai per person on average?
For a new dependent’s visa, sponsors should expect, per person, an entry permit (the GDRFA FAQ currently lists AED 365 outside the UAE or AED 1,035 inside), residence issuance starting from AED 200, an Emirates ID at AED 100 per year plus the application fee, and a medical fitness test for those aged 18+. Additional Knowledge and Innovation Dirham charges, possible in‑country status change fees, and Amer/typing service costs will increase the final payable amount.
What are the Dubai family visa fees for dependants inside the UAE versus outside?
When a dependant is in the UAE, Dubai family visa charges usually include an AED 500 “fee inside the country” on the entry permit and residence services, reflecting the status change without exit. Typical residence entry permit total of AED 1,035 per person inside the country, compared with AED 365 for applicants outside the UAE.
What is the Dubai family visa renewal cost per year for dependants?
For expatriate sponsors, dependant residence renewal costs AED 360 for one year, AED 460 for two years and AED 560 for three years per person. For UAE citizen sponsors, the corresponding totals are AED 310, AED 410 and AED 510. These Dubai family visa renewal fees cover the GDRFA’s residence charges only and do not include Emirates ID fees (AED 100 per year plus application fee) or any medical fitness test for adult dependants.
What are overstay fines for a residence visa in Dubai after expiry or cancellation?
After a residence visa expires or is cancelled, the GDRFA generally grants a 60‑day grace period for the person to leave the UAE, renew, or obtain a new sponsorship. Once this grace period ends, daily overstay fines may start to apply until the status is regularised or the person exits. For residence entry permits, the overstay fine at AED 25 per day after the permitted stay is exceeded.
How much does an Emirates ID cost for sponsored family members in the UAE?
For each sponsored family member, the ICP charges AED 100 per year or part of a year of residence validity for Emirates ID issuance or renewal. In addition, there is an application form fee of AED 70 when the application is lodged via a typing office, or AED 40 when using the ICP website or smart app. Replacement of a lost or damaged Emirates ID costs AED 300 plus the same application fee, with an optional AED 150 express service if faster processing is needed.
What is the medical fitness test cost for a family visa in Dubai?
The GDRFA requires every family member aged 18 or above to pass a medical fitness test at a Dubai Health Authority‑approved centre before their residence can be issued or renewed. The Dubai visa medical test cost is not fixed by the GDRFA and varies by provider; for example, the Dubai Health Authority‑authorised premium centre Smart Salem in Dubai lists AED 750 for a residence visa medical test.
What are the Dubai family visa cancellation charges for dependants?
When cancelling a dependant’s residence visa, the GDRFA Dubai charges, for individual sponsors, AED 190 if the person is inside the UAE and AED 290 if they are outside, plus Amer Centre service fees, which are not specified. For companies sponsoring dependants, the company cancellation fee is AED 225 inside the UAE and AED 325 outside.
Explained by
Amna Issa Abbas
Visa & AMER Services Consultant at EGSH
Amna Issa Abbas is a dedicated AMER centre service provider with two years of proven experience in delivering immigration and customer services, supporting clients, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
