Can I sponsor my spouse if my salary is AED 3,500?

No. Dubai requires a minimum of AED 4,000 plus accommodation or AED 10,000 without it.

Does the medical test cover pregnancy screening?

Yes. The AED 820 women’s package includes HIV, TB, and pregnancy tests.

How long is the spouse visa valid?

It matches the sponsor’s residency validity, usually two or three years.

Can I pay in instalments?

ICP and GDRFA fees must be paid upfront; some banks offer personal loan options.

Is health insurance mandatory for the spouse visa?

Yes. Since 2025, proof of minimum essential benefits insurance is required.

How Much for Spouse Visa Dubai 2026

Quick answer

Expect to pay roughly AED 5,500–7,500 for a Dubai spouse visa in 2026. The total covers the entry permit, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, and stamping. Prices vary by sponsor salary, medical centre, and whether you add health insurance or typing fees.

Who can sponsor a spouse visa in Dubai?

Only residents with an employment or investor visa can sponsor a spouse. Your monthly salary must be at least AED 4,000 (plus accommodation) or AED 10,000 without accommodation. Free-zone employees must show a valid labour contract stamped by MOHRE or the free-zone authority.

Step-by-step: how to apply for a Dubai spouse visa in 2026

Step 1 – Entry permit

Apply through ICP or GDRFA portals. The entry permit costs AED 300 for 60 days and can be extended once for another AED 600. Your employer or free-zone sponsor usually pays this fee.

Step 2 – Medical fitness test

Book a DHA-approved centre. Current price is AED 820 for women (includes HIV, TB, pregnancy) and AED 720 for men. Results are valid 90 days.

Step 3 – Emirates ID application

Submit biometrics at an Amer centre. The 5-year Emirates ID costs AED 370 plus a typing fee of AED 100. Add AED 370 if you need an urgent 48-hour delivery.

Step 4 – Visa stamping

Pay AED 650 for the visa stamp at GDRFA. A same-day stamping option costs AED 850. The stamp is valid for two or three years depending on your own residency validity.

Step 5 – Ejari tenancy contract

You must show a valid Ejari contract. Typical one-bedroom Ejari registration is AED 120. If you live in company accommodation, request an official letter from your employer.

Full cost breakdown (2026)

Entry permit: AED 300–900
Medical test: AED 720–820
Emirates ID + typing: AED 470
Visa stamp: AED 650–850
Health insurance (minimum): AED 850–1,500
Ejari: AED 120
Typing centre service fees: AED 150–250

Total: AED 5,500–7,500 depending on choices and urgency.

Common mistakes expats make

Forgetting to add the wife’s name to the tenancy contract before applying.
Paying for a new medical test when the old one is still valid.
Using an unapproved medical centre and losing AED 820.
Assuming the company will pay all fees; many only cover the entry permit.

Insurance requirement explained

Since 2025, Dubai mandates minimum essential benefits health insurance for all new residency visas. Verify current fee with DHA or your insurer. The cheapest compliant plan for a spouse aged 30–40 costs around AED 850 per year.

Free-zone vs mainland: any difference?

Free-zone sponsors follow the same ICP fees, but some free zones (DMCC, IFZA) add an internal service charge of AED 500–1,000. Mainland sponsors under MOHRE do not charge this extra fee.

Tips to save money

Book the medical test at Al Baraha Centre; it is AED 100 cheaper than most private clinics.
Apply during the first 30 days of your entry permit to avoid AED 600 extension fees.
Choose a two-year visa stamp if your contract is long-term; it saves AED 300 compared with two single-year stamps.
Use the ICP app to pay typing fees online and skip Amer centre queues.

Timeline you can expect

Most couples finish the entire process in 10–14 working days. Medical results arrive in 24 hours, Emirates ID printing takes 5–7 days, and stamping can be done same-day if you pay the express fee.

Key takeaway

Budget AED 6,000–7,000 to comfortably cover every spouse-visa fee in Dubai in 2026. Keep copies of every receipt, double-check Ejari spelling, and confirm insurance compliance before you submit documents to avoid costly resubmissions.