Sharjah
Sahara Centre Basement Floor - Bank Entrance - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates
Emirates ID and Visa Stamping Cost in the UAE (2026)
Cost Breakdown
Emirates ID and visa stamping cost in the UAE depends on your visa type and length, but here is a clear starting point. The Emirates ID card fee is AED 100 for each year of your visa, so a 2-year card costs about AED 200, plus a small typing fee. The visa stamping, or residency issuance, government fee usually runs AED 500 to AED 600 for a standard visa. Together, the Emirates ID and stamping steps cost roughly AED 900 to AED 1,200. The full residence visa costs more once you add the entry permit, medical test, and mandatory health insurance, bringing a typical 2-year visa to around AED 3,000 to AED 5,500. Employers pay these fees for employment visas. You can complete your visa medical test and Emirates ID typing at our centre. So Emirates ID and visa stamping cost is best seen as a set of linked fees.
The Parts
What Makes Up Emirates ID and Visa Stamping Cost?
The phrase "Emirates ID and visa stamping cost" covers two separate government charges, plus a few others that come with any residence visa. Understanding the parts stops the most common shock: realising the total is more than the single fee you were quoted.
The two named costs are:
Emirates ID: The fee to issue your national ID card, tied to your visa length.
Visa stamping: The fee to issue and activate your residence visa.
Beyond these, a full visa also includes an entry permit, a medical test, and health insurance. Knowing all the parts is the first step to budgeting correctly.
Emirates ID
How Much Does the Emirates ID Cost?
The Emirates ID cost is simple to work out, because it is set per year of your visa validity. The ICP charges a card fee of AED 100 for every year your visa is valid.
On top of the card fee, a typing centre adds a service charge of about AED 30 to AED 70, and urgent (Fawri) processing adds around AED 150 for a 24-hour card. In total, a standard 2-year Emirates ID usually costs around AED 270 to AED 390. Doing your Emirates ID typing accurately keeps this cost predictable.
Stamping
How Much Is the Visa Stamping Fee?
The visa stamping fee is the government charge to issue and activate your residence visa. For a standard visa, this is usually about AED 500 to AED 600, though it can reach AED 1,000 to AED 3,000 for longer or premium visa types.
One point often confuses people: since 11 April 2022, there is no physical passport sticker. "Stamping" now means activating your digital residency, which is linked to your Emirates ID. If you are already in the UAE on a visit visa, a status change adds a separate fee of roughly AED 520 to AED 750. The stamping fee is the price of turning your approved application into an active residence visa.
The Full Picture
What Is the Full Residence Visa Cost?
Because Emirates ID and stamping are only two parts, it helps to see the full picture. A typical 2-year residence visa brings several charges together, and the all-in cost usually lands between AED 3,000 and AED 5,500.
Health insurance has been mandatory since 2024, and your visa will not be issued without it. You can read our guide to the visa medical test cost for that part in detail. Budgeting the all-in figure, not just one fee, avoids surprises.
Responsibility
Who Pays for the Emirates ID and Visa Stamping?
Who pays depends entirely on your visa type, and this is good news for employees. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, employers must cover all costs of an employment visa, including the medical, Emirates ID, and stamping. Recovering these from your salary is not allowed.
For other visas, the rule differs:
Employment visa: The employer pays every fee.
Family visa: The sponsor pays for each dependant.
Self-sponsored visa: You pay your own fees, such as freelance or Golden Visa.
Knowing who pays tells you exactly what will land on your own budget.
Variation
Does the Cost Vary by Emirate and Visa Type?
Yes, the total shifts with both where you apply and which visa you choose. Government fees are broadly federal, but a few things move the number.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi often work out slightly higher, mainly because of insurance requirements. Visa type matters even more: a family visa or freelance visa is usually the most economical, while a Golden Visa costs more due to its longer term and eligibility checks. Free-zone employment visas can also run cheaper than mainland ones. Comparing the cost per year of residency, not just the sticker price, gives the truest picture.
Savings
Can You Reduce the Overall Cost?
A few smart choices can lower what you pay, especially over the life of the visa. None of them cut corners; they simply avoid extra charges.
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Choose a longer term: A 2 or 3-year visa lowers your cost per year.
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Apply from outside the UAE: This avoids the inside-country status-change fee.
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Pick standard processing: Skip the express surcharge when you are not rushed.
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Get the paperwork right: Accurate typing avoids costly corrections and delays.
Confirming your documents required up front is one of the easiest ways to keep costs down. Planning ahead saves both money and time.
Watch For
What Extra Costs Should You Expect?
A few charges sit outside the headline fees, and forgetting them causes most budget shocks. Keep these in mind when you plan.
Health insurance: Mandatory from around AED 600 a year, required before your visa is issued.
Attestation or translation: Budget for this if your documents need it.
Overstay fines: Standardised at AED 50 per day from 11 February 2026.
Factoring in these extras gives you a realistic, surprise-free total.
Confirm It
Get Your Medical and Emirates ID Cost Confirmed
The clearest way to know your exact Emirates ID and medical costs is to ask an accredited centre, because government fees change and vary by case. Sahara Visa Medical Centre in Sharjah is accredited by MoHAP and ICA and follows Emirates Health Services standards, so your fees are quoted correctly and your file handled right the first time.
<30 min
medical test at Sahara
4 hrs
certificate, fast-track
45+ yrs
Emitac Healthcare experience
We complete your medical test in under 30 minutes, and our fast-track service delivers your certificate in as little as 4 hours. With your Emirates ID typing done in the same visit, you get a clear, itemised cost for these steps and avoid the delays that add hidden charges. Operated by Emitac Healthcare Solutions, part of groups with more than 45 years in UAE healthcare, we are a trusted, one-stop choice.
Want an exact price for your medical and Emirates ID? Contact Sahara Visa Medical Centre — call +971 56 402 8010, message us on WhatsApp, or visit us as a visa medical centre near you in Sahara Centre, Al Nahda, Sharjah.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Emirates ID and visa stamping cost in the UAE?
The Emirates ID card fee is AED 100 per year of validity, and the visa stamping fee is usually AED 500 to AED 600. Together they cost roughly AED 900 to AED 1,200 for a standard visa.
How much does a full 2-year residence visa cost?
Once you add the entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, stamping, and mandatory health insurance, a typical 2-year visa costs around AED 3,000 to AED 5,500.
Do you still pay a stamping fee if there is no passport sticker?
Yes. Since 2022, "stamping" means activating your digital residency linked to your Emirates ID. The issuance step is still required and still carries a government fee.
Who pays the Emirates ID and visa costs?
Employers pay all costs for employment visas by law, and cannot deduct them from your salary. Sponsors pay for family visas, while self-sponsored applicants pay their own fees.
Why is my Emirates ID cost different from someone else's?
The card fee depends on your visa length, at AED 100 per year, and typing or express charges vary. Longer visas and premium categories cost more.
John Relova
John Relova drives EHS (Environmental, Health & Safety) operations in Dubai via EMITAC Healthcare Solutions and is active in promoting workplace safety culture within the region.
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Medical Examination Centre for Residency - Sahara Centre
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