You want to bring your family to Dubai. The number you keep seeing online — AED 3,500 or AED 4,000 — looks manageable. Then you start the process and realize that number only covers one piece of a six-step cost stack.
The 2 years family visa price in Dubai is not a single government fee. It is a sequence of costs spread across multiple authorities, collected at different stages of the application. For a single dependent, the realistic all-in total in 2026 is AED 4,500 to AED 6,500. For a family of four, budget AED 11,000 to AED 18,000 in the first year once health insurance, Emirates ID, medical testing, and service charges are factored in.
This guide gives you the honest, itemized breakdown so you know exactly what you're committing to before you start.
Who Qualifies to Sponsor a Family Visa in Dubai?
Before the cost conversation, the eligibility question: not every UAE resident can sponsor dependents, and the threshold changed in 2026.
According to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai and the federal ICP, the minimum monthly salary to sponsor a dependent in Dubai is AED 4,000 per month. If your employer provides accommodation as part of your employment package, this threshold drops to AED 3,000 per month.
The minimum monthly salary required to sponsor a dependent is AED 4,000 per month. However, if your employer provides accommodation, this threshold is lowered to just AED 3,000 per month.</cite>
The following dependents are eligible for sponsorship under a 2-year family visa in Dubai:
- Spouse (husband or wife)
- Children (sons up to age 25 if enrolled full-time in an accredited educational institution; daughters with no upper age limit if unmarried)
- Parents (under ICP with a minimum income of AED 20,000/month, or through GDRFA humanitarian route at AED 10,000/month)
As of 2026, sons can be sponsored up to age 25 provided they are enrolled full-time in an accredited educational institution, and unmarried daughters can be sponsored with no upper age limit. The sponsor must provide an annual notarised declaration of unmarried status for daughters.
One thing most guides skip: if your own UAE residence visa lapses at any point, every dependent visa linked to your sponsorship becomes invalid automatically. The family visa is only as stable as the sponsor's own residency.
The 2 Years Family Visa Price in Dubai: Full Cost Table
The total cost has six distinct components. Each is charged by a different authority at a different stage. Missing any one of them in your budget creates a shortfall mid-process.
| Cost Component | Authority | Amount (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry permit (new applicants from outside UAE) | GDRFA Dubai | 500 to 750 | Only for applicants entering from abroad. Not applicable on status change inside UAE. |
| Status change (if dependent is already inside UAE) | GDRFA Dubai | 500 to 650 | Replaces entry permit when switching from tourist/visit visa to residence inside UAE. |
| Medical fitness test | DHA-approved clinic | 250 to 400 | Mandatory for all applicants 18 and above. Results valid for 30 days. |
| Emirates ID | ICP (Federal) | 100 to 370 | Fee varies by age category and visa duration. Standard 2-year EID is AED 100 to 200. |
| Residence visa stamping | GDRFA Dubai | 500 to 750 | The actual visa stamp into the passport. |
| Health insurance (mandatory) | DHA-licensed insurer | 635 to 4,000 per year | Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) minimum starts at AED 635/year. Mid-range spouse policy AED 1,600 to 2,500/year. |
| Typing / PRO service fee | Typing centre or PRO | 150 to 500 | Charged for document preparation and submission. Optional if you self-file but adds time. |
Realistic all-in totals per dependent (2026):
| Dependent Type | Year 1 Total (AED) | Year 2 Insurance Only (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse (applying from outside UAE) | 4,800 to 6,500 | 1,600 to 2,500 |
| Spouse (status change inside UAE) | 4,500 to 6,000 | 1,600 to 2,500 |
| Child under 18 | 3,800 to 5,500 | 635 to 1,200 |
| Parent (ICP or GDRFA route) | 5,000 to 7,000 | 2,500 to 4,000 |
All figures are approximate, based on 2026 GDRFA Dubai, ICP, and DHA published rates. Fees are subject to change. Always request an itemized written quote from your PRO or typing centre before paying. Verify current rates at gdrfad.gov.ae or icp.gov.ae.
One critical number most families miss: over a 2-year visa cycle, a spouse's mid-range health insurance policy can cost more than every government fee combined. Budget for both years of insurance when calculating the true 2-year family visa price, not just the first-year administrative costs.
Step-by-Step: How the 2-Year Family Visa Process Works in Dubai
Understanding the sequence matters because each step depends on the previous one completing correctly. Jumping ahead or missing a step means restarting from that point.
Step 1: Confirm sponsor eligibility Verify your salary meets the minimum threshold. If you're self-employed or a business owner, you'll need a trade licence, audited financials, or a company salary certificate in your own name.
Step 2: Gather documents for the dependent
For a spouse:
- Attested marriage certificate (attested in the country of origin + UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Sponsor's passport and UAE residence visa copies
- Sponsor's Emirates ID
- Sponsor's salary certificate or bank statements
- Dependent's passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- Recent passport photos
For a child:
- Attested birth certificate
- School enrollment letter (for sons over 18 up to 25)
- Annual notarised declaration of unmarried status (for daughters over 21)
Step 3: Apply for the entry permit (if dependent is abroad) Apply through GDRFA Dubai via the Amer service centre, an authorised PRO, or the GDRFA app. The entry permit allows the dependent to enter the UAE to complete the residence visa process. Processing takes 3 to 5 working days.
Step 4: Status change (if dependent is already inside the UAE) If the dependent is already in Dubai on a tourist or visit visa, a status change application replaces the entry permit. This converts their status from visitor to residence visa applicant without them leaving the country.
Step 5: Medical fitness test Once the dependent is inside the UAE, they must complete a medical fitness test at a DHA-approved clinic. Results are returned within 24 to 48 hours in most cases. Applicants with flagged results require further testing before proceeding.
Step 6: Emirates ID biometrics After the medical test, the dependent registers for their Emirates ID. Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are taken at an ICP-registered centre or some typing centres.
Step 7: Residence visa stamping The final step. The dependent's passport is submitted and the 2-year residence visa is stamped. The Emirates ID is also issued at this stage. Total timeline from entry permit to stamped visa is typically 15 to 25 working days for a standard application.
Step 8: Health insurance Health insurance must be active from the date of visa issuance. <cite index="24-1">The GDRFA checks insurance status in real time during visa issuance and renewal. The minimum DHA-compliant plan is the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP), which provides a minimum annual aggregate coverage of AED 150,000. Basic EBP plans start from approximately AED 635 per year per dependent.</cite>
What Actually Makes the Cost Go Up
Most guides give you the base number. These are the real variables that push the total higher.
Attestation costs. A marriage certificate or birth certificate from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, or the Philippines must be attested in the country of origin and again at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. <cite index="25-1">Attestation and typing charges that add almost AED 3,000 to a family of four's first-year cost never appear in headline fee lists. Budget AED 300 to AED 1,500 per document depending on origin country and document type.
Insurance quality. The EBP at AED 635 per year is the legal floor. Its network is narrow and co-payments are real. Most families upgrade the spouse's policy to a mid-range plan at AED 1,600 to AED 2,500 per year. Elderly parent policies run AED 2,500 to AED 4,000 per year due to age loading.
Inside vs. outside UAE at time of application. Applying from outside the UAE (entry permit route) costs slightly more than a status change from inside due to additional permit fees and potential medical insurance overlap periods.
PRO or typing centre fees. If you manage the application yourself via the GDRFA app and Amer centres, you save the PRO service fee. If you use a PRO or immigration service provider, add AED 150 to AED 500 per dependent for their handling charge.
Parent sponsorship. Parent visas cost more at every level — higher income requirement, higher insurance loading, annual renewal instead of 2-year, and the GDRFA humanitarian route requires an additional AED 5,000 refundable deposit in some cases. Parent sponsorship is a fundamentally different cost structure from spouse and child sponsorship.
Renewal: What the 2-Year Family Visa Costs After Year Two
The 2-year family visa in Dubai must be renewed before expiry. Renewal costs mirror the initial application with one key difference: you do not pay the entry permit fee again on renewal.
Renewal cost components:
- Medical fitness test: AED 250 to AED 400 (mandatory for adults)
- Emirates ID renewal: AED 100 to AED 200
- Residence visa renewal stamping: AED 500 to AED 750
- Health insurance renewal: full annual premium (see above)
- Typing / PRO service: AED 150 to AED 500
Realistic renewal cost per adult dependent: AED 1,500 to AED 2,500 in government fees, plus annual insurance.
One timing note: start the renewal process at least 30 days before the visa expires. Renewing late incurs a daily fine of AED 25 per day from the expiry date. An overstayed dependent visa that lapses significantly can result in fines of AED 5,000 or more before it is resolved.
Practical Tips Before You Apply
Approaching UAE-based family visa applications regularly, a few patterns emerge in what slows things down or inflates costs unnecessarily.
Get your documents attested before you need them. Marriage and birth certificates from South Asia, Africa, and the Arab world take 2 to 6 weeks to complete attestation through the origin country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE MFA. Starting this step late pushes back the entire timeline.
Don't book one-way tickets for dependents until the entry permit is issued. If the entry permit is delayed or the application requires resubmission, you've paid for a flight that cannot be used.
Confirm insurance at the right time. Insurance must be active from the date of visa issuance, not from the date you apply. Some families activate insurance weeks too early and pay premiums that don't count toward the mandatory coverage period.
Check the sponsor's own visa validity. If your own UAE residence visa is coming up for renewal in the next 6 to 12 months, the dependent's new 2-year visa may still be valid but the sponsorship link becomes complicated if your own visa lapses. Coordinate renewals together where possible.
Conclusion
The 2 years family visa price in Dubai in 2026 is AED 4,500 to AED 6,500 per dependent as a realistic all-in total for Year 1, covering the entry permit or status change, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, residence stamping, insurance, and processing fees. For a family of four, budget AED 11,000 to AED 18,000 in the first year depending on dependent types, document attestation needs, and insurance quality.
The cost does not stop at Year 1. Annual insurance renewals and the biennial renewal cycle mean the ongoing annual cost per dependent is typically AED 2,000 to AED 4,000 in insurance and renewal fees combined.
Get the documents right, start attestation early, and build the full cost picture before you commit. The process is manageable, and the result — having your family with you in Dubai legally and with full access to UAE health and education systems — is worth it.
If you need assistance with the 2-year family visa application in Dubai, our team handles document preparation, typing, PRO submission, and status change applications for all nationalities.
FAQ
1. What is the 2 years family visa price in Dubai in 2026? The total 2 years family visa price in Dubai ranges from AED 4,500 to AED 6,500 per dependent. This includes the entry permit or status change fee, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, residence visa stamping, mandatory health insurance, and typing or PRO service charges. The figure varies based on whether the dependent applies from inside or outside the UAE, their age, and the insurance plan selected. Always get an itemized written quote before proceeding.
2. What is the minimum salary to sponsor a family visa in Dubai? The minimum monthly salary to sponsor dependents in Dubai is AED 4,000. If your employer provides accommodation, the threshold drops to AED 3,000 per month. For parent sponsorship, the income requirement is significantly higher: AED 20,000 per month through ICP, or AED 10,000 per month through the GDRFA humanitarian route in Dubai.
3. What documents are needed for a 2-year family visa in Dubai? For a spouse: attested marriage certificate, sponsor's passport and residence visa copies, Emirates ID, salary certificate, and dependent's passport. For a child: attested birth certificate and school enrollment letter for sons over 18. All foreign documents must be attested in the country of issue and at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Attestation adds time and cost to the process.
4. How long does the 2-year family visa process take in Dubai? From initial entry permit application to final visa stamping, the process typically takes 15 to 25 working days for a standard application with complete documents. Delays occur most often due to incomplete document attestation, medical test complications, or application data errors. Starting the process with all documents ready reduces total timeline significantly.
5. Is health insurance mandatory for a family visa in Dubai? Yes. Health insurance is a legal requirement for all sponsored dependents in Dubai. The minimum compliant plan is the DHA's Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) with annual aggregate coverage of AED 150,000, starting from AED 635 per year per dependent. GDRFA checks insurance status in real time during visa issuance and renewal. No insurance means no visa issuance.
6. Can I sponsor my parents on a 2-year family visa in Dubai? Parent sponsorship is available but has higher requirements. Through ICP, the sponsor needs a minimum monthly income of AED 20,000. Through the GDRFA humanitarian route via Amer centres, the threshold is AED 10,000 per month. Parent visas are typically issued for 1 year (not 2 years) and must be renewed annually. Insurance costs for parents are also significantly higher due to age loading.
7. What happens if my family visa expires without renewal? An expired family visa incurs a daily overstay fine of AED 25 per day from the expiry date. Allowing a family visa to lapse significantly can result in total fines of AED 5,000 or more. The dependent also loses legal residency status, which affects access to healthcare, schools, and banking. Begin the renewal process at least 30 days before the expiry date to avoid any gaps.
8. Is the 2-year family visa renewable? Yes. The 2-year family visa in Dubai is renewable. Renewal costs include the medical fitness test, Emirates ID renewal, residence visa stamping, health insurance renewal, and any PRO service fees. The entry permit fee is not charged again on renewal. Realistic renewal cost per adult dependent is AED 1,500 to AED 2,500 in government fees plus annual insurance.
9. Can unmarried daughters be sponsored at any age in Dubai? Yes. As of 2026, unmarried daughters can be sponsored as dependents with no upper age limit. Previously the cap was 21 years. The sponsor must provide an annual notarised declaration of unmarried status. If the daughter marries, the dependent sponsorship under the father's visa must be transferred or cancelled.
10. What is the difference between an entry permit and a status change for a family visa? An entry permit is issued when the dependent is outside the UAE and needs permission to enter the country to complete the residence visa process. A status change is used when the dependent is already inside the UAE on a tourist or visit visa and wants to convert their status to a residence visa without leaving the country. The fees are similar but the process differs. Both lead to the same outcome: a 2-year UAE family residence visa.
