Visa fees from the UAE in 2026
Visa fees are the official charges a country sets for considering a visa application. The destination government sets them, you pay them before a decision is made, and they are usually not refunded. Visa centres may add their own service charge.
Updated 30 October 2026
Quick facts
- Schengen with visa centre: about AED 461 to AED 537 per adult
- Visa centre charge: normally capped at EUR 45 for a Schengen adult
- Refusals: government fees are usually not refunded
- Not included: insurance, translation and agency service fees
What visa fees are and when you pay them
A visa fee is the official charge for having your application considered. It is not the price of the visa itself, so it is paid before any decision is made.
| Charge | Who sets it | When it is paid |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee | The government of the destination country. For Schengen, the amount is set in EU law. | Before a decision, usually when the application is submitted |
| Visa centre service charge | The visa centre that accepts applications for the consulate. For Schengen, EU law limits the amount. | At the visa centre, when the application is submitted |
| Optional extras | The visa centre | At the visa centre, only if you choose them |
Timing varies by country. UK fees, for example, are paid online as part of the application, and the US fee is paid before you book your interview. Fees are published in the issuing authority’s currency, and consulates and visa centres then charge the local equivalent at their own rates.
Government visa fees by country
These are government fees for a standard short visit. They are shown in the currency the issuing authority uses, because consulates and visa centres set their own exchange rates.
| Destination | Visa | Government fee |
|---|---|---|
 Schengen area | Type C short stay, up to 90 days in any 180-day period | Adults EUR 90, children 6 to 11 EUR 45, under 6 free |
 United Kingdom | Standard Visitor, up to 6 months | £135 |
 United States | B1/B2 visitor | USD 185 |
 Canada | Visitor visa | CAD 100 + CAD 85 for biometrics |
 Japan | Single entry | About JPY 15,000, payable in AED |
 China | Single entry, applied for at the Consulate General in Dubai | AED 102 for most nationalities |
 Australia | Subclass 600 Visitor, lodged outside Australia | AUD 250 |
Your nationality, not your UAE residence permit alone, decides whether you need a visa for these countries.
Schengen visa fees
| Applicant | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adult | EUR 90 |
| Child aged 6 to 11 | EUR 45 |
| Child under 6 | No fee |
| School pupils, students and accompanying teachers on study or educational trips | No fee |
| Researchers travelling for scientific research or conferences | No fee |
| Non-profit representatives aged 25 or under, at seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events run by non-profits | No fee |
Consulates may waive or reduce the fee in other cases. Applicants also need travel medical insurance with minimum cover of EUR 30,000.
Schengen with a visa centre charge
Many consulates in the UAE accept applications through a visa centre such as VFS Global or BLS International. The centre adds a service charge for each applicant, on top of the visa fee. Under Article 17(4) of the EU Visa Code, this charge is normally capped at half the standard visa fee, so EUR 45 for a Schengen adult, with limited exceptions.
| Country | Centre | Visa fee | Service charge | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | VFS Global | AED 385 | AED 101.33 | AED 486.33 |
| Spain | BLS International | AED 388 | AED 73 incl. VAT | AED 461 |
| Austria | VFS Global | AED 386 | AED 122.66 | AED 508.66 |
| Germany | VFS Global | AED 390 | AED 146.74 incl. VAT | AED 536.74 |
VFS Global figures were published on 25 October 2026. The BLS Spain figures come from its UAE website and apply to most nationalities. Amounts move with the exchange rate, so check your centre’s page on the day you apply.
Centres also sell optional extras, such as premium lounges, form filling and courier delivery. You don’t have to buy them.
UK visa fees
| Visa or service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard Visitor, up to 6 months | £135 |
| Long-term visitor, 2 years | £506 |
| Long-term visitor, 5 years | £903 |
| Long-term visitor, 10 years | £1,128 |
| Private medical treatment (up to 11 months) or visiting academic (up to 12 months) | £234 |
| Direct airside transit | £41.50 |
| Landside transit | £74.50 |
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), eligible nationalities | £20 |
| Student visa | £558 |
| Skilled Worker, up to 3 years | £819 |
| Skilled Worker, over 3 years | £1,618 |
| Priority service, added to the visa fee | £500 |
| Super priority service, added to the visa fee | £1,000 |
Most student and work visas longer than six months also require the Immigration Health Surcharge. It is £1,035 per year, reduced to £776 per year for students and children under 18.
US and Canada visa fees
United States
| Visa or charge | Fee |
|---|---|
| B1/B2 business and tourist | USD 185 |
| F and M student; J exchange visitor outside US government sponsored programmes | USD 185 |
| C-1/D crew and transit | USD 185 |
| Petition-based (H, L, O, P, Q, R) | USD 205 |
| E treaty trader and investor | USD 315 |
| I-901 SEVIS fee, F and M students | USD 350 |
| I-901 SEVIS fee, J exchange visitors | USD 220 |
| I-901 SEVIS fee, special J categories | USD 35 |
Visa integrity fee. A 2025 US law, Public Law 119-21, created a separate fee of at least USD 250 for nonimmigrant visas, payable when the visa is issued. It is not included above. Confirm whether it applies to you before you pay.
Canada
| Visa or charge | Fee |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa, per person | CAD 100 |
| Visitor visa, family cap (5 or more applying together) | CAD 500 |
| Biometrics, per person | CAD 85 |
| Biometrics, family cap (2 or more applying together) | CAD 170 |
| Study permit | CAD 150 |
| Work permit | CAD 155 |
| eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization), visa-exempt travellers arriving by air | CAD 7 |
Japan and China visa fees
Japan
| Visa | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single entry | About JPY 15,000 |
| Multiple entry | About JPY 30,000 |
Applicants in the UAE pay the equivalent in local currency. The amount can differ by nationality and purpose of travel. If Japan does not issue the visa, you pay nothing.
China
| Nationality | Single | Double (6 months) | Multiple (6 months) | Multiple (12 months or more) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most nationalities | AED 102 | AED 153 | AED 203 | AED 304 |
| UAE citizens | AED 113 | AED 169 | AED 225 | AED 338 |
| US citizens | AED 510 | AED 510 | AED 510 | AED 510 |
| Canadian citizens | AED 222 | AED 222 | AED 222 | AED 222 |
These reduced fees apply until 31 December 2026. Express service costs AED 90 more per visa, and separate rates apply to some other nationalities.
Australia visa fees
| Visa | Base charge |
|---|---|
| Subclass 600 Visitor, lodged outside Australia | AUD 250 |
| Subclass 600 Visitor, lodged in Australia | AUD 630 |
| Subclass 600 Visitor, Frequent Traveller stream | AUD 1,845 |
| Subclass 500 Student, most applicants | AUD 2,500 |
| Subclass 500 Student, ELICOS and non-award courses, and certain listed passports | AUD 2,050 |
Costs on top of these fees
- Travel medical insurance
- Translations, attestation, photos and courier delivery
- Optional premium services at visa centres
- Agency service fees, if you use an agency
Paying a fee covers the consideration of your application and does not guarantee a visa. To see how consulate fees, visa centre charges and our own fee fit together, read pricing and refunds.
Official sources
- European Commission: applying for a Schengen visa
- EUR-Lex: Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1415
- EUR-Lex: EU Visa Code
- BLS International: Spain visa fees in the UAE
- GOV.UK: Home Office fees, 8 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Immigration Health Surcharge
- US Department of State: fees for visa services
- US ICE: I-901 SEVIS fee
- IRCC: Canada fee list
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: visa fees
- Consulate General of China in Dubai: visa fee notice
- Australia: Migration Regulations 1994
Need help with your application?
We can check the current fees for your destination and handle the paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Schengen visa cost for UAE residents in 2026?
Adults pay EUR 90, children aged 6 to 11 pay EUR 45, and under-6s are free. Add the visa centre charge, and one adult paid AED 461 to AED 536.74 at the centres in our table.
What are visa fees?
Visa fees are official charges set by the destination country’s government for considering a visa application. They are paid before a decision is made, whatever the outcome.
When do I pay a visa fee?
Usually when you submit your application, before any decision is made. Timing varies by country. UK fees are paid online as part of the application, and the US fee is paid before you book your interview.
What is a visa centre service charge?
It is a fee charged by a company such as VFS Global or BLS International for accepting your application on behalf of a consulate. It is separate from the visa fee and is charged per applicant.
How much does a UK visitor visa cost if I apply from Dubai?
£135 for a Standard Visitor visa of up to 6 months. Long-term visitor visas are £506 (2 years), £903 (5 years) and £1,128 (10 years).
How much do US visa applicants in the UAE pay?
The B1/B2 visitor visa fee is USD 185. Student visa applicants also pay the SEVIS fee, which is USD 350 for F and M students.
Do I get the visa fee back if my application is refused?
In most cases, no: the fee pays for processing, not for approval. Japan works differently and charges nothing when it does not issue a visa.
Do these fees include an agency’s service fee?
No. This page covers government fees and visa centre charges only. Our own fee is explained on the pricing and refunds page.