The UAE Golden Visa costs approximately AED 4,600 to AED 10,500 in 2026, depending on which eligibility route you qualify under. The bank deposit, salary, and talent-nomination routes sit at the lower end (roughly AED 4,600-5,000), while the real estate investment route runs higher (roughly AED 10,000-10,500) because of an added Dubai Land Department registration fee. These figures cover the visa and Emirates ID only - they do not include the qualifying investment itself, document attestation, or dependent visa costs.
This guide breaks down exactly what's included in that government fee, why the real estate route costs more than the others, and every additional cost applicants typically forget to budget for.
Golden Visa Cost by Category: Quick Summary (2026)
| Category | Approx. Government Fee | What Drives the Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate investor | AED 10,000 - 10,500 | Standard visa fees plus a Dubai Land Department (DLD) registration/NOC charge |
| Bank deposit investor | AED 4,600 - 4,700 | Standard visa, Emirates ID, and medical fitness test only |
| Senior employee / salary route | AED 4,600 - 5,000 | Standard visa, Emirates ID, and medical fitness test only |
| Entrepreneur / talent / nomination routes | AED 4,600 - 4,700 (typical) | Standard visa fees; may include incubator or endorsement-related admin costs |
| Outstanding student | Standard visa fee range applies | No investment fee - only standard government charges |
| Humanitarian pioneer | Standard visa fee range applies | Nomination-based - no investment fee |
These figures are approximate and can change - always confirm the current fee for your specific category before budgeting for your application.
What's Included in the Standard Government Fee
| Fee Component | Approx. Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| ICP/GDRFA visa issuance fee | 1,150 - 2,800 (varies by whether you're applying from inside or outside the UAE) |
| Emirates ID | ~1,150 - 1,270 |
| Medical fitness test | 300 - 700 |
| Entry permit (applicants outside UAE) / status adjustment (applicants inside UAE) | 500 - 1,030 |
| Admin / typing fees | 150 - 500 |
Add these together and you land in the AED 4,600-5,000 range that applies to the bank deposit, salary, and most nomination-based routes.
Why the Real Estate Route Costs More
Real estate investors pay everything above, plus a Dubai Land Department (DLD) registration and No Objection Certificate fee, which is what pushes the total from roughly AED 4,600-5,000 up to roughly AED 10,000-10,500. This fee is tied to registering (or re-confirming) your qualifying property with DLD as part of the visa application - it's a property-specific government charge, not a Golden Visa-specific one, so it applies regardless of which visa consultant or channel you use.
What's NOT Included in the Government Fee
- The qualifying investment itself - the AED 2,000,000 property, bank deposit, or business capital, or the AED 500,000 entrepreneur project value. This is your own capital, not a government fee.
- Document attestation - particularly relevant if any of your supporting documents (degrees, marriage/birth certificates, company documents) were issued outside the UAE. Attestation costs and timelines vary significantly by country of issuance - see the Golden Visa eligibility guide for Indians for a country-specific example.
- Health insurance - mandatory for all UAE residents, and an ongoing annual cost rather than a one-time fee.
- Dependent/family visa fees - each sponsored family member has their own separate government fee. See the Golden Visa family sponsorship guide for the per-dependent process and documentation.
- Consultancy or service fees - if you use a visa consultant, their service fee is separate from, and additional to, the government fee. See our guide on choosing a Golden Visa consultant in Dubai for how to get this quoted transparently.
Golden Visa Cost in Indian Rupees (INR)
Many applicants from India search for Golden Visa costs directly in INR. As a rough guide, at an approximate rate of 1 AED ≈ INR 23:
| Category | AED Cost | Approx. INR Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bank deposit / salary / talent routes | AED 4,600 - 5,000 | ~INR 1,05,800 - 1,15,000 |
| Real estate investor route | AED 10,000 - 10,500 | ~INR 2,30,000 - 2,41,500 |
Exchange rates fluctuate, so treat any INR figure as an approximation at the time of your application - not a fixed quote. For a full guide to the routes most commonly used by Indian nationals, see the Golden Visa eligibility guide for Indians.
Renewal Cost
The Golden Visa is renewable, and renewal carries its own fee cycle rather than being free - budget approximately AED 2,000-5,000 for a renewal, depending on your category and whether any of your supporting documentation (property valuation, business accounts, employment contract) needs to be refreshed as part of the renewal file. Renewal fees are separate from - and generally lower than - the cost of your original application, since there's no fresh endorsement/nomination process required in most cases if your qualifying basis hasn't changed.
How to Budget Accurately for Your Category
- Confirm your exact eligibility category first. Cost varies meaningfully by route, so budgeting before you know your category leads to inaccurate estimates. See the complete Golden Visa eligibility guide to confirm which of the categories applies to you.
- Get an itemised quote that separates government fees from any consultancy service fee - never accept a single lump-sum number. Our guide on choosing a Golden Visa consultant in Dubai covers exactly what to ask for.
- Add the category-specific extras - DLD fees for real estate, attestation for foreign documents, and family member fees if you're sponsoring dependents.
- Confirm figures before you pay anything, since government fees are periodically revised and the ranges above are indicative, not guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a UAE Golden Visa cost in total?
Approximately AED 4,600-5,000 for the bank deposit, salary, and most talent/nomination routes, and approximately AED 10,000-10,500 for the real estate investor route, before accounting for your qualifying investment, attestation, or family member fees.
Why is the real estate route more expensive than the other routes?
Because it includes an additional Dubai Land Department (DLD) registration and No Objection Certificate fee on top of the standard visa, Emirates ID, and medical fitness test charges that apply to every category.
Does the government fee include my AED 2 million investment?
No. The government fee only covers visa issuance, Emirates ID, and the medical fitness test. Your qualifying investment - property, bank deposit, or business capital - is separate and remains your own asset or capital commitment, not a fee paid to the government.
How much does it cost to add family members to my Golden Visa?
Each sponsored dependent has their own separate government fee, distinct from the primary holder's cost. See the family sponsorship guide for the process and what to expect per dependent type.
Are Golden Visa costs the same every year?
No. Government fees are periodically revised, so the figures in this guide are indicative for 2026 - always confirm the current fee for your category before finalising your budget.
For the complete list of Golden Visa eligibility categories, see the UAE Golden Visa eligibility guide. For category-specific detail, see our guides on the real estate investment route, the investor routes, and the salary requirement. Takween Advisory can confirm your exact cost, category by category, with a free eligibility assessment.