New Family Visa Cost in the UAE: Inside vs Outside Country (2026)

The UAE family visa cost depends on one thing most people miss: whether your dependent applies from inside or outside the country. Applying from outside is cheaper — here is the full fee comparison.

The UAE family visa cost is one of the most searched questions for residents bringing a spouse, child or parent to the country, and the answers online rarely agree. The reason is that the same visa has two different prices depending on where your dependent is when you apply: inside the UAE, or outside it. This guide breaks down both, using the official government fees from our Visa Calculator, so you can see exactly what changes and why.

Everything below is for a new family visa — sponsoring someone for the first time. Renewal fees work differently and are covered in a separate guide. All amounts are in AED.

How much does a new family visa cost in the UAE?

Same end result, two price paths — based on where the applicant is.

A new family visa is built from a short list of government fees: an entry permit, a medical fitness test (adults only), the Emirates ID, and visa stamping. The twist is the entry permit. If your dependent is inside the UAE (for example on a visit visa), they need an in-country entry permit plus a change-status step. If they are outside the UAE, they receive an entry permit from outside and simply enter on it — no status change. That single difference is why the totals are not the same.

• Entry permit (inside): AED 989 — plus a change-status fee.
• Entry permit (outside): AED 339 — no change of status needed.
• Change status: AED 630 — inside-country applications only.
• Medical fitness (standard): AED 273 — adults only.
• Emirates ID: AED 354. Visa stamping: AED 410.

Inside vs outside country: the full price comparison

Here is the line-by-line comparison for one adult. Notice that the medical, Emirates ID and visa stamping are identical on both sides — only the entry permit and change-status lines move.

A child follows the same pattern, minus the medical test: AED 2,383 inside versus AED 1,103 outside. Either way, the outside route saves the same AED 1,280 per person.

Why is applying from outside the country cheaper?

It comes down to two fees, and both disappear or shrink when your dependent is abroad. The entry permit issued from outside the country costs AED 339, while the in-country entry permit is AED 989. On top of that, an inside application has to change the person's status from visit to residence, which adds AED 630. Apply from outside and there is no status to change, so that fee is gone entirely.

Family visa fees for an adult and a child

The same person costs less from outside — children always pay less than adults (no medical).

Applying from outside the UAE

Applying from inside the UAE

The one-time family file opening fee

Before you can sponsor anyone, you need a family file with immigration. If this is your first time sponsoring a dependent and you do not yet have a family file, a one-time fee of AED 203 is added to open it. Once the file exists, you will not pay it again for future dependents — it is charged once per sponsor, not per person.

What the family visa price does not include

These are government fees — a few costs sit outside them.

The totals above are the official government charges for the visa itself. A few related costs depend on your situation and are billed separately, so plan for them on top of the figures shown. You can review the full process on our Family Visa service page.

• Sponsor eligibility. Sponsors generally need a minimum salary (commonly AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 with company accommodation) and a valid tenancy contract. This is a requirement, not a fee.
• Health insurance. A valid policy is mandatory for each dependent and is priced separately by age and provider.
• Document attestation & translation. Marriage and birth certificates issued abroad usually need attestation before they are accepted.
• Premium or express medical. The AED 273 figure is the standard test; faster tiers cost more.
• Service fees. These government fees do not include any typing-centre or PRO service charge.

Which option should you choose?

If your spouse, child or parent is already abroad — or can travel out and re-enter on the new visa — the outside route is the clear saver at AED 1,280 per person. If they are already inside the UAE on a visit visa and cannot easily leave, the inside route avoids the cost and hassle of a trip, even though the fees are higher. The right answer depends on where your family is and the price of a flight versus the AED 1,280 saving.

Frequently asked questions