Residence Visa Cost | Flyingcolour

The United Arab Emirates offers a lifestyle like no other and a world-class business environment, making Dubai residency a desirable option for UK entrepreneurs. But securing your long-term status—the so-called UAE residence visa—involves a series of necessary fees, governmental processes, and associated costs that must be understood from the outset.

Most applicants normally only consider the visa stamp fee and forget the crucial administrative and medical charges. This guide, provided by Flyingcolour®, will break down the real cost of a Dubai visa, explain the process clearly, and also provide the usual 2 years residence visa Dubai cost for both investors and employees.

The Breakdown of Your UAE Residence Visa Cost

The total cost of getting a residency permit UAE involves several non-negotiable government fees. These fees are for various stages of the application whether you are applying for a two-year or long-term United Arab Emirates residence visa.

Overview: The 3 Main Cost Components

Cost Component	Purpose	Authority/Service	Notes on Costs
1. Entry Permit/Status Change	Initial approval to enter or change status if applicant is already in the country (avoiding visit visa expenses dubai).	General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA)	Varies (usually AED 1,000 – AED 2,000).
2. Mandatory Medical & ID	Compulsory health screening to prove fitness for residency and the national ID card.	DHA (Dubai Health Authority) / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship)	Varies according to health package (normal or express) and visa duration.
3. Visa Stamping/Issuance	The final cost of the visa issuance in Dubai and linking it with the Emirates ID card.	GDRFA	That is the fixed component for the 2 years residence visa Dubai cost.

The AMER Visa Service Role

Most applicants process their documents through AMER Visa centers or similar authorized typing centers. AMER Visa is a private service provider authorized by the GDRFA to carry out administrative procedures for applications, document review and preliminary processing. While they make it easier for the user, the service charges of AMER Visa is on top of the government fees.

Breakdown: 2 Years Residence Visa Dubai Cost

The two-year visa is the most common option for UK professionals and entrepreneurs and is the basis of calculation for dubai residency investment.

A. Investor/Partner Visa (For Business Owners)

Ideal for Flyingcolour® clients who already have their Dubai business entity, whether Mainland or Free Zone. The visa is usually issued for 2 years and is renewable after that.

Investor Visa Component	Cost (AED)	Cost (GBP)
Entry Permit (Investor)	1,100 – 1,500	£240 – £330
Change of Status Fee (if already in UAE)	600 – 1,000	£130 – £220
Medical Checkup (Normal)	700 – 850	£150 – £185
Emirates ID (2 Years)	270 – 400	£60 – £90
Visa Stamping/Issuance (GDRFA)	1,000 – 1,500	£220 – £330
Subtotal (Govt. Fees, approx.)	AED 3,670 – 5,250	£800 – £1,150
AMER/Typing Fees	400 – 600	£90 – £130

Note: Investor Visa costs vary by Free Zone/Mainland and required security deposits which are often refundable.

B. Employee/Employment Visa (For Hired Staff)

This covers staff hired by your Dubai business. The costs are legally borne by the employer.

Employee Visa Component	Cost (AED)	Cost (GBP)
Work Permit & Labour Contract	500 – 1,500	£110 - £330
Medical Check & Emirates ID (2 Yrs)	1,000 – 1,300	£220 – £280
Visa Stamping (GDRFA)	1,000 – 1,500	£220 – £330
Subtotal (Govt. Fees, approx.)	AED 2,500 – 4,300	£550 – £940

Compulsory and Associated Costs

Besides the charges, getting a residency permit UAE will also involve the following added costs:

A. Comprehensive Medical Insurance

Medical insurance is mandatory for all United Arab Emirates residence visa holders. Costs vary widely depending on cover and age:

Cost: From AED 1,000 for basic cover to AED 10,000+ per annum for premium cover.
Employer Obligation: Employers are required to offer a minimum level of insurance for their employees but investors can often buy higher-tier individual or family plans.

B. Document Attestation

If you will be sponsoring dependants, such as a spouse or children, their documents (Marriage Certificate and Birth Certificates) need to be legally attested in the UK through relevant authorities in the UK and stamped by the UAE Embassy in London and then followed by attestation in UAE. Again, this process adds a lot of time and cost: often £300+ per document.

C. Visa Change of Status

If the applicant is already in the UAE on a visit or tourist visa, they can often avoid leaving the country—the 'visa run'—by paying an in-country change of status fee. This usually adds AED 600 – AED 1,200 to the total but saves the cost and hassle of international travel.

How Flyingcolour® Makes Your Dubai Residency Easier

Flyingcolour® converts the administrative headaches of getting a visa residency dubai into a hassle-free process for our UK clients. We ensure cost clarity, compliance and efficiency.

Cost Transparency: We give you one fixed quote that covers the whole 2 years residence visa dubai cost, including all government, medical and administrative charges for the entire duration, with no hidden surprises.
One Stop Shop: We handle everything from company incorporation—the sponsor—to Entry Permit, medical test appointment and final stamping, making your path to United Arab Emirates residence hassle-free.
Document Attestation Management: We guide you through the entire document attestation process, including all steps for family sponsorship, saving your time and avoiding rejections for improper legalization.

Flyingcolour® ensures your dubai residency journey is smooth, transparent and legally compliant.

Conclusion

The UAE residence visa is a must for every UK professional or entrepreneur who wants to work or invest long-term in the Middle East. While the visa fee itself is quite reasonable, the cost of dubai visa includes medical screening, Emirates ID fees and possibly significant family documentation costs. With Flyingcolour®, you get professional advice to ensure everything from the very first step in the process of getting dubai residency is in order and goes through smoothly and without administrative delays.

FAQs:

Q1. What is the difference between Entry Permit and final residence visa dubai?

A. The Entry Permit is a temporary document allowing you to enter the UAE—or stay in the country, if you are switching from a tourist visa—for the processing of your residency status. The final residence visa dubai is the physical sticker or link to your Emirates ID that gives you long-term legal status to live and work.

Q2. How long does the whole United Arab Emirates residence visa process take?

A. The entire process, from Entry Permit issuance to the final dubai residency stamp and Emirates ID, usually takes about 3–4 weeks under normal processing. This assumes all documents are attested and the mandatory medical examination is passed successfully on the first attempt.

Q3. Can I use the UK's National Health Service (NHS) coverage instead of buying local medical insurance?

A. No, all United Arab Emirates residence visa holders are required by law to buy and maintain local UAE-compliant medical insurance for the duration of their residence. UK NHS coverage is not recognized as compliant and cannot replace the mandatory local health policy which is required for the visa application.

Q4. How much will it cost to sponsor my spouse and two children?

A. Family sponsorship adds extra fees for each dependent, which will include an Entry Permit, medical screening for over-18-year-olds, Emirates ID and final visa stamp. You need to budget around AED 3,500 to 5,000 (GBP £770 - £1,100) per dependent for government fees and services, apart from the annual cost of mandatory medical insurance for everyone.

Q5. Can Flyingcolour® help me with the visit visa expenses dubai for status change or do I really have to leave the country?

A. Flyingcolour® manages the in-country change of status process, which allows you to switch from a visit visa to a residency visa without you having to leave the UAE physically. We submit the change of status fee, usually AED 600 - AED 1,200, and the administrative paperwork, saving you the expense and hassle of an international trip.