Visa Costs for Employers and Investors
Mainland: the MOHRE work permit
| Item | AED |
|---|---|
| Work permit application, any category | 50 |
| Two-year work permit, category 1 company | 250 |
| Two-year work permit, category 2 company | 1,200 |
| Two-year work permit, category 3 company | 3,450 |
Source: MOHRE: Recruiting a worker from overseas1
MOHRE sets each company's category, so check yours before budgeting for several hires.
Residence, ID and insurance
| Item | AED |
|---|---|
| Green residence permit, Dubai | 200 |
| Knowledge and Innovation Dirham | 10 + 10 |
| Applying from inside the UAE | 500 |
| Emirates ID, for each year of residence | 100 |
| Emirates ID smart service fee | 100 |
| Basic health insurance, a year | 320 |
Source: GDRFA Dubai: Green residence service; ICP: Issue a new ID card; MOHRE: The basic health insurance scheme2,3,4
Free zone visa prices
| Free zone | Item | AED |
|---|---|---|
| SPC Free Zone | Visa allocation | 1,600 |
| SPC Free Zone | Investor visa with Emirates ID | 2,530 |
| SPC Free Zone | Establishment card, once per company | 640 |
| RAKEZ | Investor or partner visa, standard | 4,620 |
| Masdar City Free Zone | Two-year employment visa package | 3,050 |
Source: SPC Free Zone: Pay-as-you-go business setup; RAKEZ: New investor or partner visa; Masdar City Free Zone: Licence and registration5,6,7
Golden Visa through property in Dubai
The Dubai Land Department lists a total of AED 9,884.75 for a property investor's Golden Visa: the medical test, Emirates ID, residence permit, the department's own fee of AED 4,020 and administration.8
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a UAE work visa cost an employer?
On the mainland, the two-year MOHRE work permit costs AED 250, 1,200 or 3,450 depending on the company's category, plus a AED 50 application fee, residence and Emirates ID fees, a medical test and health insurance from AED 320 a year.
Sources
- MOHRE: Recruiting a worker from overseas
- GDRFA Dubai: Green residence service
- ICP: Issue a new ID card
- MOHRE: The basic health insurance scheme
- SPC Free Zone: Pay-as-you-go business setup
- RAKEZ: New investor or partner visa
- Masdar City Free Zone: Licence and registration
- Dubai Land Department: Request for Golden Visa (investor)
Figures checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.