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The costs people forget to budget for
The government fee is the main number, but a few extras sit outside it. None are huge, but they are worth knowing so nothing catches you out.
A valid UAE health policy is mandatory for every visa holder, and it is priced separately by age and provider.
With us: We factor your insurance into the full budget so you see the real total.
Foreign documents, such as a degree or marriage certificate, may need attesting, which can add AED 2,000 to 5,000.
With us: We handle attestation as part of the service, and our attestation page explains it in full.
Faster processing is available for an extra AED 1,000 to 1,500 if you are working to a deadline.
With us: We tell you whether express is worth it for your timeline, rather than upselling it by default.
At the end of your five or ten years, the Golden Visa is free to renew if you still meet the criteria.
With us: Over ten years that saves you the cost of renewing a standard visa five times over.
One person
On a salary or talent route, budget around AED 4,000 to 7,200 all in. On the property route, closer to AED 9,500 to 14,000, or more with premium processing and advisory.
A family of four
Around AED 14,700 to 21,900 all in, covering everyone’s government fees, medicals and Emirates IDs. The exact figure depends on your route and any express processing.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The questions UK founders ask us most about choosing where to set up in the UAE. Rules change, so treat these as a guide and confirm your own case before you commit.
How much does the UAE Golden Visa cost?
The government fee for the main applicant is roughly AED 4,000 to 5,000 on the salary, talent or capital routes, and AED 9,500 to 10,000 on the property route. A realistic all-in figure per person, including extras, is about AED 4,000 to 14,000 depending on your route.
Does the Golden Visa cost AED 2 million?
No, and this is the biggest misconception. The AED 2 million is the qualifying investment you hold, such as property or a deposit, which stays yours. It is not a fee. The visa fee itself is only a few thousand dirhams.
What are the government fees for the Golden Visa?
They cover the residency issuance, the 10-year Emirates ID at around AED 1,153, and the medical test at around AED 700. On the property route, a one-off Dubai Land Department fee of around AED 5,300 is added.
How much does the property route cost?
The government fee for a property investor is around AED 9,500 to 10,000 for the main applicant, higher than other routes because of the Dubai Land Department charge on the title deed. The AED 2 million property itself is your investment, not a fee.
How much does a skilled professional pay?
Only the government fee, around AED 4,000 to 5,000, because the salary route has no investment threshold. A professional earning AED 30,000 a month qualifies with no capital to invest.
How much does it cost to add family members?
Each adult dependent, such as a spouse or parent, costs around AED 4,137, and each child under 18 around AED 3,864. Dependents do not pay the property fee, so a family of four typically comes to AED 14,700 to 21,900 all in.
Is health insurance included in the cost?
No. A valid UAE health policy is mandatory but priced separately, by age and provider. We include it in the full budget we give you so the total is realistic.
Are there hidden costs?
The main extras beyond the government fee are health insurance, document attestation if your papers need it, and optional express processing. We show all of these upfront rather than adding them later.
Is the Golden Visa cheaper than a normal visa over time?
Often, yes. It runs for five or ten years and is free to renew if you still qualify, so over a decade it can cost less than renewing a standard two-year visa five times.
How long does the Golden Visa take?
Processing is usually five to fifteen working days once your documents are ready, and faster with premium processing. Gathering evidence and any attestation is what takes the most time.
Does Riz & Mona give a real all-in quote?
Yes. We quote the full cost upfront for your route and family, itemised, and we make clear what is a fee and what is your own investment, so there are no surprises.
Where can I check if I qualify?
Our golden visa guide covers all the categories and requirements, and our eligibility quiz gives you a quick personalised result. This page is about the cost, once you know you qualify.
See your real golden visa cost
Book a free consultation or try our golden visa calculator. We will give you the honest all-in figure for your route and family.
