How Much Is It to Apply for a Spouse Visa in the UAE 2026

Quick Answer

Applying for a UAE spouse visa costs roughly AED 4,000–6,000 in total government fees when your partner already holds a valid residence visa. This covers the entry permit, change of status, medical test, Emirates ID, and stamping. Prices vary slightly by emirate and sponsor status.

Who Can Sponsor a Spouse Visa?

Only certain visa holders can sponsor a spouse. You must hold either a residence visa sponsored by a company with a minimum salary of AED 4,000 (or AED 3,000 plus accommodation), or be an investor, freelancer, or golden visa holder. Your marriage certificate must be attested by the UAE embassy in your home country, then by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and finally translated into Arabic by a certified translator.

Breakdown of 2026 Fees

Entry Permit (outside UAE)

If your spouse is abroad, start with an entry permit. Typical fee is AED 300 for 60 days. Some free zones add AED 100–200 for stamping. Always verify current fee with ICP.

Change of Status (inside UAE)

If your spouse is already in the country on a visit visa, you can change status without exiting. The change costs AED 850 plus a typing fee of AED 150–200 at Amer centres.

Medical Fitness Test

Every applicant must pass a DHA- or MOH-approved medical test. In Dubai, the fee is AED 730 at approved centres such as Al Baraha or Al Twar. Abu Dhabi and other emirates charge AED 500–650. Results are valid for 60 days.

Emirates ID Application

The new Emirates ID costs AED 370 for five years. You can add the optional health insurance card for an extra AED 150 if your employer does not provide cover.

Visa Stamping

Once medical and Emirates ID are cleared, ICP stamps the visa inside the passport. The stamping fee is AED 650 plus a service charge of AED 100 at typing centres. Total for this step: AED 750.

Ejari Tenancy Contract

Most sponsors must show a valid Ejari tenancy contract. Registering or renewing Ejari costs AED 300–600 depending on the size of the unit. You can add your spouse’s name to the contract for AED 100 extra.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Prepare attested marriage certificate and passport copies.
2. Book medical test appointment via the DHA app or ICP portal.
3. Submit entry permit or change-of-status application at Amer or ICP online.
4. Collect Emirates ID and complete visa stamping within 60 days.
5. Register or update Ejari tenancy contract with spouse name.

Common Mistakes That Increase Costs

• Using an un-attested marriage certificate—requires re-attestation and new translation (AED 800+).
• Forgetting to add spouse to Ejari—can delay stamping and cost an extra AED 500 in rush fees.
• Choosing a medical centre not approved by DHA—results rejected and test repeated.
• Letting the entry permit expire before stamping—leads to fines of AED 50 per day.

Tips to Keep Fees Low

• Apply for the spouse visa inside the UAE when possible; change-of-status is cheaper than exit and re-entry.
• Book the medical test on weekdays before 10 am to avoid overtime charges.
• Use ICP’s online portal to pay fees in advance and skip typing-centre queues.
• Renew your own residence visa and spouse visa together; ICP sometimes offers bundled discounts.

Comparison: Dubai vs Abu Dhabi vs Sharjah

Dubai medical test AED 730, Emirates ID AED 370, stamping AED 750. Abu Dhabi medical AED 500, ID AED 370, stamping AED 650. Sharjah medical AED 550, ID AED 370, stamping AED 650. The biggest difference is the medical fee, so budget accordingly if you live outside Dubai.

Key Takeaway

Budget AED 4,000–6,000 for a straightforward UAE spouse visa in 2026. Factor in AED 300–600 for Ejari updates and keep an extra AED 1,000 buffer for attestation or translation surprises. Start with ICP’s online calculator and always double-check fees on the official portals before you pay.