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Dubai Golden Visa Cost (2026): The Verified Fee Table
There are two very different numbers people confuse. The 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee is a property transaction cost - about AED 80,000 on a AED 2 million home, paid once at purchase, visa or no visa. The Golden Visa itself costs AED 9,884.75 per applicant in government fees on the DLD investor schedule, covering the 10-year permit, medical, and Emirates ID. Figures below follow DLD's published investor fee schedule; confirm the current amounts before you apply.
The Fee Table
| Item | Fee (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medical fitness test | 700.00 | Standard tier; fast-track/premium tiers cost more |
| Emirates ID (10-year card) | 1,153.00 | DLD bundle; AED 1,100 if applied online (AED 1,000 card + AED 100 service) |
| Residency permit confirmation (10 years) | 2,856.75 | DLD investor schedule, for the 10-year permit |
| DLD fees | 4,020.00 | DLD Golden Visa processing (separate from the 4% transfer fee) |
| Administrative fees | 1,155.00 | Processing and service charges |
| Total visa fees per applicant | 9,884.75 | Excludes the 4% property transfer fee |
Dependant Fees
| Item | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Each sponsored family member | 5,774.50 |
| Each sponsored parent | 5,774.50 |
| Family file opening (one-off) | 318.75 |
The 4% Transfer Fee, Separately
The 4% DLD transfer fee (plus small admin fees) is charged on the property purchase itself, one-off, at transfer. On a AED 2 million home that is about AED 80,000. You would pay this on any Dubai property purchase regardless of the visa, which is why we keep it out of the visa fee total above.
Costs That Are Not Fees
- Health insurance: valid UAE health cover is required for residence; cost depends on age and plan.
- Agent or PRO service fees: optional. If someone files on your behalf, expect a service charge on top of government fees.
- Property running costs: service charges, DEWA connection, and maintenance if you occupy the home.
What you will not pay is any personal income tax. The UAE levies 0% personal income tax, so holding the visa does not create an annual tax bill on your salary or overseas income - though your home-country tax rules may still apply, so take separate advice.
Renewal and Annual Charges
Official DLD and GDRFA schedules list one-off issuance fees and a renewal fee at year 10 (the DLD Cube quotes AED 9,519.75 for renewal); no annual holding fee is published. You do need to maintain qualifying property and valid UAE health insurance to stay eligible.
Mortgage Extras
If the qualifying property is financed, mortgage registration at DLD adds 0.25% of the loan amount plus fixed fees (AED 270-290), on top of the 4% transfer fee and standard visa costs. On a AED 1.5M mortgage that is roughly AED 4,040. Confirm the current figure with DLD. The visa itself also requires a bank no-objection letter stating the paid amount and balance - see the mortgage route guide.
How We Verified This
Every fee line in the tables above was checked line-by-line against the Dubai Land Department Golden Visa (Investor) service page and fee schedule (site updated 9 July 2026), accessed July 2026, and cross-read against GDRFA Dubai's investor golden residence service page and the official u.ae Golden Visa page. The AED 9,884.75 total is DLD's own published figure, not our arithmetic. Where a fee varies by channel (Emirates ID online vs DLD bundle, typing-centre routes), we say so in the notes rather than averaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Dubai Golden Visa cost in total?
On the DLD investor fee schedule, budget AED 9,884.75 in government fees for the visa itself, plus a one-off 4% DLD transfer fee on the property (about AED 80,000 on a AED 2 million home). Confirm current figures with the Dubai Land Department and GDRFA Dubai.
Is the 4% DLD fee part of the visa cost?
No. The 4% transfer fee is a property transaction cost paid once at purchase, not a visa charge. You would pay it on any Dubai property purchase regardless of the visa.
How much is the medical and Emirates ID?
On DLD's investor schedule the medical fitness test is AED 700 (standard tier) and the 10-year Emirates ID is AED 1,153 in the DLD bundle, or AED 1,100 if applied online. Confirm current figures before you budget.
Do I pay extra for each family member?
Yes. DLD's investor schedule prices each sponsored family member, and each parent, at AED 5,774.50, plus a family file-opening fee of AED 318.75. See our family sponsorship guide for detail.
Is there an annual fee to keep the Golden Visa?
Official DLD and GDRFA schedules list one-off issuance fees and a renewal fee at year 10 (the DLD Cube quotes AED 9,519.75 for renewal); no annual holding fee is published. You do need to maintain qualifying property and valid UAE health insurance to stay eligible, and the UAE has 0% personal income tax.
Can I pay the property in instalments and still qualify?
Under current DLD and GDRFA Dubai conditions, mortgage and off-plan instalment purchases can count toward the AED 2 million threshold on the DLD-certified or recorded contract value. A mortgaged property needs a bank no-objection letter; confirm your specific case with DLD.
Sources
- Dubai Land Department - Golden Visa (Investor) service page and fee schedule (all fee lines and the AED 9,884.75 total verified verbatim; site updated 9 July 2026)
- GDRFA Dubai - golden residence for property investors
- u.ae - Golden Visa (Official UAE Government Portal)
Accessed July 2026; confirm the current position at time of application.