Can I sponsor my parents on a family visa in RAK?

Only spouses and children qualify. Parents require a separate 10-year golden visa or a visit visa.

Is the salary threshold different for RAK free zones?

No. The AED 4,000 minimum is federal; IFZA and RAKEZ follow the same rule.

How long does the full family visa process take?

14–21 days if medical results are clear and you book Amer appointments promptly.

Do newborns need a separate family visa application?

Yes. Apply within 120 days of birth; medical test is free at government centres for infants.

Can I pay ICP fees in instalments?

No. All government fees must be paid upfront; some banks offer personal loans to cover the lump sum.

How Much Does a Family Visa Cost in Ras Al Khaimah 2026

Quick answer

A family visa in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) costs AED 4,000–7,500 per dependent in 2026, covering medical, Emirates ID, and stamping. Your own residency visa must be valid and you need a minimum AED 4,000 monthly salary (or AED 3,000 + accommodation) to sponsor. The exact amount changes with age of child, medical test location and whether you use Amer or typing-centre services.

Who can sponsor a family visa in RAK?

Only residents holding a valid work or investor visa can sponsor spouses and children. Free-zone employees must have their visa stamped on an RAK mainland residence visa; offshore or ADGM visas do not allow family sponsorship. The sponsor must show a tenancy contract (Ejari or RAK equivalent) and proof of income.

Official fees you will pay in 2026

Entry permit (per person): AED 1,170 (type “family joining”).
Medical fitness test (DHA-approved centre in RAK): AED 720 for adults, AED 520 for children under 15.
Emirates ID issuance (2 years): AED 370 per person.
Visa stamping inside the UAE: AED 880.
Typing, data entry and Amer service fees: AED 300–450 per application.

Total per spouse or child over 18: AED 3,440–4,000. Children aged 0–18 usually come in at AED 2,800–3,200 because the medical test is cheaper. These figures are set by ICP and are the same across all emirates, but RAK typing centres sometimes bundle services for AED 150 less than Dubai.

Step-by-step: how to apply for a RAK family visa

Step 1 – Check eligibility

Log into ICP self-service or the Amer app. Verify your visa validity, salary certificate and tenancy contract. If salary is below AED 4,000, upload the Ejari showing annual rent of AED 60,000 or higher.

Step 2 – Apply for entry permit

Through Amer or ICP portal, select “Family Residence Visa – Entry Permit”. Pay AED 1,170 online. Print the permit and send the scanned copy to your family abroad.

Step 3 – Medical test & Emirates ID

Book a slot at Al Qassimi or RAK Medical Fitness Centre. Adults pay AED 720; children pay AED 520. Bring passport copies and three photos. Results are uploaded to ICP within 48 hours.

Step 4 – Visa stamping

Once medical results clear, ICP issues a “change status” notice. Book an Amer typing centre for stamping. Cost is AED 880 plus AED 120 typing. Your family’s passports receive the residency visa sticker valid for two years.

Step 5 – Emirates ID collection

Collect the plastic Emirates ID cards from Amer after five working days. Children under 15 receive a 2-year residency visa but no physical ID.

Common mistakes that increase costs

Using a Dubai medical centre when you live in RAK: you pay an extra AED 200 courier fee to transfer results.
Letting the entry permit expire (30 days validity): AED 1,000 fine plus new permit fee.
Choosing a sponsor with a free-zone visa that does not allow family sponsorship, forcing a costly visa transfer later.
Forgetting health-insurance top-up: children over 18 must show private cover of at least AED 150,000, costing AED 2,500–4,000 per year.

Hidden and recurring costs

Health insurance is mandatory for every visa renewal. Budget AED 650–900 per adult and AED 1,800–2,500 per child annually. Emirates ID renewal every two years is AED 370. If you move to another emirate you pay a transfer fee of AED 650 plus new medical test.

RAK vs Dubai vs Abu Dhabi – cost comparison 2026

Item	Ras Al Khaimah	Dubai	Abu Dhabi
Medical test (adult)	AED 720	AED 820	AED 750
Typing fee bundle	AED 300	AED 450	AED 380
Annual health insurance (family of 4)	AED 5,000	AED 7,200	AED 6,000
Total first-year family visa	AED 14,000–16,000	AED 18,000–21,000	AED 16,500–19,000

RAK remains the cheapest mainland option for families, mainly due to lower typing-centre rates and slightly cheaper insurance premiums.

Tips to keep costs down in 2026

Book the medical test at government centres instead of private hospitals; saves AED 150–200.
Apply for a 3-year visa if your passport allows; saves one stamping round-trip fee later.
Use your company PRO service if offered—many RAK firms absorb typing and submission fees.
Pay ICP fees online during promotions; occasionally 10 % discounts appear during Ramadan and UAE National Day.

Key takeaway

Budget roughly AED 4,000 per dependent for the first family-visa application in Ras Al Khaimah, plus AED 650–900 per person yearly for health insurance. Start with ICP self-service to confirm your salary meets the threshold, then complete the medical and stamping steps at RAK government centres to keep costs at the lower end of the range. Always verify current fees on the ICP portal or with Amer before you pay.