Visa Costs and Fees Explained for Dubai Expats

Start smart on your first Dubai entry

If you are planning a move to Dubai, understanding the real cost of your first entry visa helps you budget confidently and avoid surprises. This guide is designed for ambitious professionals, families and entrepreneurs who want clear, practical numbers before they book their flight. We explain tourist and visit visa prices, what changes if you apply from inside the UAE, and how airline, agency and government routes compare. You will also learn about extensions, overstay rules, long-stay options and how to bring family or friends to visit once you are settled.

The real price of your first visa

Most newcomers arrive on a tourist or visit visa before their residence is arranged by an employer or sponsor. Government portals list baseline fees that set your expectations: GDRFA Dubai indicates a 30-day tourist visa at AED 200 and a 60-day visa at AED 300, plus 5% VAT and small government surcharges. The federal ICP platform sets visit visas at AED 100 per month for single entry and AED 200 per month for multiple entry, plus an application fee and a smart-service fee of AED 100 each. Final checkout amounts are usually higher than the headline price due to these add-ons.

Airlines like Emirates offer a convenient path when you already have their ticket. Typical pricing is about USD 90 for a 30-day single-entry visa and about USD 177 for a 60-day single-entry visa, with multiple-entry options costing more. Short transit visas start from around USD 10 for 48 hours and USD 49 for 96 hours, which are handy for brief stopovers but not suitable as a bridge to residency because they are non-extendable.

Private agencies bundle government fees with service charges to deliver a turnkey experience. Retail prices can look much higher online - for example, around USD 160 for a 30-day single entry or about USD 450 for a 90-day single entry. Inside-UAE options such as change of status or extension can be particularly costly, with quotes around USD 550 for 30 days and USD 670 for 90 days. The mark-up buys speed, flexibility and support, but it pays to compare against official fees.

When arriving or extending inside the UAE, expect extra costs. A typical in-country fee of around AED 500 can apply on top of standard charges for certain tourist services. Many tourist visas can be extended twice for 30 days each, around AED 600 per extension, helping you avoid a visa run if your plans evolve. Plan these steps carefully to balance cost and convenience.

Quick rule of thumb: budget for the headline fee plus smart-service charges and small dirham surcharges - then add a margin for processing.

If you expect frequent trips, the five-year multiple-entry tourist visa may be better value. The issuance is listed at AED 500, with AED 100 each for the application and smart-service fees. You will also need health insurance and stronger financial proof, such as a six-month bank statement showing a healthy balance. While the front-end fee is higher, frequent visitors often save over repeated single-entry visas.

Overstays are costly and avoidable. The UAE applies a standard AED 50 per day fine across visit, tourist and residence categories starting the day after expiry. For residence holders, the consequences can be more serious because visa status touches employment, Emirates ID and access to services. Always check your electronic record rather than relying on a passport stamp.

Planning to bring family or friends after you land? Residents can sponsor visits via ICP, subject to salary thresholds. First-degree relatives typically require a minimum salary of AED 4,000, second and third degree AED 8,000, and friends AED 15,000. Base issuance fees are AED 100 per month for single entry or AED 200 per month for multiple entry, plus the standard application and smart-service fees. Sponsors must also arrange health insurance, a passport copy valid for at least six months, a return ticket and relationship proof where relevant.

Compare your application routes at a glance

How ARK gets you there

ARK is a Dubai-based team that specialises in relocating businesses and lives to the UAE. We clarify which visa suits your timeline and budget, prepare documents without jargon, and manage applications through the right channel - government system, airline partner or agency - to save time and avoid rejections. From first entry to residence, Emirates ID and family sponsorship, we align your plan with compliant options so you arrive, settle and start faster.

Your action plan

1. Check your passport validity - at least six months from your intended entry date.
2. Decide your entry route - government portal, airline, agency or consulate - based on budget and convenience.
3. Gather documents - passport photo, return ticket, accommodation details, travel insurance and proof of funds if requested.
4. Build a buffer - include smart-service fees and small surcharges in your budget, plus possible in-country fees.
5. Set calendar alerts - track visa expiry to avoid AED 50 per day overstay fines.
6. Book a free ARK consultation - get a tailored plan for entry, residency and family sponsorship.

Extra facts that save you money

Most applications require a passport valid for at least six months, a compliant photo, confirmed return ticket, accommodation details and travel insurance. Some nationalities may be asked for a national ID from the country of origin. Expect small but mandatory government surcharges such as Knowledge and Innovation Dirhams and smart-service fees, which are not always visible in headline pricing. Tourist visas can usually be extended twice for 30 days each from within the UAE, which can be cost-effective compared with a visa run. If your plans change and you switch to employment, coordinate timing with your employer so your status changes smoothly without incurring daily overstay fines. For frequent travelers, the five-year multiple-entry visa can reduce per-trip costs when visiting several times per year.