Independent educational information. This publication does not provide immigration applications or individual legal advice. Confirm requirements with the responsible authority before acting.
Green Residence costs depend on the applicant category, current status and services needed to complete the case. Abu Dhabi applicants should separate published government charges from Emirates ID, medical, insurance, document-preparation and private assistance costs. A single advertised package price can hide both exclusions and services that do not apply to your situation.
What ICP currently publishes
At the October 2026 review, the ICP residence issuance service displays an application charge of AED 100, Green Residence issuance of AED 100 per year for a five-year duration, and smart-service charges of AED 100 for that selection.
On those displayed lines, five years of issuance charges amount arithmetically to AED 500, making AED 700 together with the two AED 100 items. This is an illustration of the published lines, not a guaranteed complete quotation for obtaining Green Residence. Confirm the selected category and amount at checkout because the public service card contains several residence categories.
The same page shows charges belonging to other situations, including status adjustment and deposits for particular services. Do not add every figure on the page to a Green applicant's budget. Determine which items the live application actually applies.
Why two applicants may pay different totals
A person already resident may need a different status transition from someone abroad. A principal applicant applying alone has a different household bill from an applicant arranging residence for a spouse and children. A qualification already accepted for use may need less preparation than a document requiring overseas authentication.
These differences concern the process, not a private ability to buy approval. An expensive package cannot replace an unmet eligibility condition. Check the Green residence requirements before paying for a service that assumes the category is available to you.
Ask whether each quotation covers residence submission only or includes preliminary permissions and subsequent identity procedures. A low starting price may be accurate for one transaction while incomplete for the move you are planning.
Emirates ID and medical costs
The ICP service links residence issuance to an Emirates ID application, but identity-card charges should be identified separately unless expressly included. Confirm the validity period and delivery or service options selected rather than assuming a residence charge covers the physical card.
Medical screening may also be a separate transaction where applicable. Obtain the current price from the approved provider for the service you actually need. Do not treat an agency's combined medical and residence fee as a single official government rate.
If an optional faster service is offered, establish what it accelerates. Faster handling of one appointment does not guarantee faster review of the immigration application or eliminate requests for additional documents.
Insurance is a continuing cost
Health insurance should be budgeted according to the applicant's actual circumstances and the coverage required. It is not simply a one-off administrative charge paid to acquire residence. Premiums can differ by age, benefits and insurer, so this guide does not invent a standard policy price.
If an employer currently provides cover, ask how a change in sponsorship affects the policy and who remains insured. For family applications, confirm cover for each person. A principal applicant's policy does not automatically establish that dependants have suitable insurance.
Document preparation and assistance
Authentication, academic recognition, translation, courier services and obtaining replacement certificates can create costs before the residence application is filed. Ask what is required for the actual document instead of accepting a package containing every possible preparation step.
Private assistance should appear as its own line. Establish whether it includes completing forms, checking documents, responding to follow-up requests or merely submitting a prepared file. Retain the provider's terms concerning rejection, cancellation and refunds.
Do not hand over an open-ended payment authority. Where someone pays government charges on your behalf, request the official receipts and distinguish them from the provider's invoice. This preserves a clear record of both the government transaction and the private service purchased.
A quotation comparison method
Create columns for government application charges, residence issuance, identity procedures, status-related steps, medical screening, insurance, document preparation and optional assistance. Enter only amounts supported by current quotations or the selected official checkout.
Mark refundable deposits separately from non-refundable charges. A deposit still affects cash required now, even if it is not ultimately a permanent expense. Record the conditions and process for recovery rather than treating a promise of refund as immediate savings.
Before making payment
Confirm the applicant category, whether the route is currently accepting submissions and the exact services included. Check the amount again if the case changes, for example by adding dependants or requiring a new status step. An itemised dated quotation is more useful than a timeless claim that every Green Visa costs one fixed sum.
Read refund terms before paying
Separate a government charge from a private provider's cancellation policy. The fact that one component is refundable does not establish that the entire package is refundable, or that an unsuccessful eligibility enquiry triggers repayment. Ask what happens if the authority requests more evidence, the applicant changes category or the provider cannot submit through the proposed channel. Keep the written answer and a dated quotation. This gives a concrete basis for comparing offers without assuming that a verbal approval guarantee has the same effect as a refund obligation.
If a quotation promises expedited approval, compare that promise with the processing stages and their limits.
Related guides
- Abu Dhabi Residency Explained: Visa Types, Eligibility, Sponsorship and Residence Pathways
- Abu Dhabi Golden Visa: Eligibility Categories, Investment, Professional Talent and Long-Term Residence
- UAE Residency Rules for Abu Dhabi Residents: Legal Status, Responsibilities, Travel and Compliance
Sources & further reading
Consult the responsible authority for current requirements and guidance for your circumstances.
- ICP Green Residence Guideicp.gov.ae
- ICP Issuing Residency Permiticp.gov.ae
- Abu Dhabi Residents Office: Abu Dhabi Green Visawww.adro.gov.ae