Can I sponsor my child on a visit visa instead of a residence visa?

Yes, but a visit visa only lasts 90 days and cannot be renewed indefinitely. After two extensions you must leave the country or convert to a residence visa.

Is the child visa fee the same for boys and girls?

Yes. ICP and GDRFA charge identical fees regardless of gender for dependent children under 18.

Do I need to pay extra for health insurance for my child?

Yes. Most families budget AED 1,800–2,500 per year for a basic DHA-compliant plan; this is separate from the visa fee.

What happens when my child turns 18?

They must switch to a student or employment visa. Failure to change status within 30 days of their 18th birthday incurs overstay fines.

Can I get a refund if my child’s visa application is rejected?

ICP refunds the stamping and Emirates ID fees but keeps the entry-permit and medical-test charges. Rejection is rare if documents are complete.

How Much Does a Child Visa Cost in the UAE 2026

a cluttered desk with papers and a stethoscope

Quick answer

A child visa in the UAE costs between AED 1,200 and AED 3,500 for the first year, depending on whether you are applying inside the country or from outside, and on the emirate. This includes the entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, and stamping. Renewal fees drop to AED 800–1,500 per year. Always verify the latest amount with ICP or GDRFA before you pay.

Who qualifies for a child visa in the UAE?

Your child must be under 18 and unmarried. Once they turn 18, they can no longer be sponsored as a child; they must either enrol in higher education or switch to a student or employment visa. Children of UAE citizens, Golden Visa holders, and certain long-term residents can stay until age 25 under special rules.

2026 fees broken down by step

1. Entry permit (outside the UAE)

ICP charges AED 300 for a 60-day single-entry permit or AED 600 for a 90-day multiple-entry permit. Most families choose the 90-day option so the child can travel while the rest of the paperwork is completed.

2. Change of status (inside the UAE)

If your child is already in the country on a visit visa, you pay AED 1,200 to convert the visit visa into a residence visa. This fee covers the typing, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, and stamping in one bundle.

3. Medical fitness test

Approved centres charge AED 300–450 for children under 15 and AED 550–750 for teens. DHA and HAAD publish the current list of centres on their websites each January.

4. Emirates ID

ICP levies AED 100 for a five-year Emirates ID for children. Adults pay AED 370 for the same period, so this is a clear saving for families.

5. Visa stamping

The final stamp in the passport costs AED 100 when done inside the UAE and AED 300 when done at a UAE consulate abroad. The stamp is valid for two or three years depending on your own residence visa.

Step-by-step application process

Log into the ICP portal or the Amer or ICP Smart Services app with your Emirates ID.
Choose “Family residence visa” and add each child as a dependent.
Pay the entry-permit fee and download the PDF permit.
Book the medical test at an approved centre and attend with the child’s passport and permit.
Collect the Emirates ID from an ICP centre or request delivery via courier for AED 30.
Book an ICP stamping appointment and bring the child (or use the “no-show stamping” option if the child is under 15).

Common mistakes that increase the cost

Letting the entry permit expire before medical tests are done adds a AED 600–1,000 fine.
Using an unapproved medical centre means repeating the test at full price.
Forgetting to cancel an old visa before applying for a new one triggers a AED 50–100 daily overstay penalty.
Paying typing-centre mark-ups of AED 150–300 that you can avoid by applying directly through the ICP app.

Cost comparison: Dubai vs Abu Dhabi vs other emirates

Dubai (GDRFA) and Abu Dhabi (ICP) charge identical federal fees, but some Abu Dhabi typing centres still add a AED 100 service charge. Sharjah and Ajman sometimes run promotions that cut AED 200 off the medical-test bundle for children under 10. Always compare the final ICP receipt, not the typing-centre quote.

Tips to keep the cost down in 2026

Apply inside the UAE rather than at a consulate; you save AED 200 on the stamping fee.
Book the medical test at a DHA centre instead of a private hospital; savings average AED 150 per child.
Use the ICP family-bundle payment option; paying for two or more children together removes one typing fee of AED 120.
Renew online 30 days before expiry to avoid the AED 500 late-renewal fine.

Documents you will need

Child’s valid passport (minimum six months validity).
Birth certificate attested by the UAE embassy in the country of birth.
Parents’ marriage certificate (if only one parent is sponsoring).
Parents’ Emirates ID copies and residence visas.
One passport photo with white background (some centres still require a physical copy).
Proof of accommodation (Ejari or title deed) showing the family address.

Key takeaway

Budget roughly AED 2,000–3,000 for the first year of a child residence visa in the UAE and AED 1,000–1,500 each year after. Apply directly through ICP channels, complete medical tests at approved centres, and renew on time to avoid penalties that can double the real cost.