Choosing the United Arab Emirates as a study destination can give you access to accredited local and international universities, diverse campuses, and modern city life.
As an international student, you may need a UAE student residence visa before you can live and study in the country. If you are outside the UAE, you will usually need an entry permit first so you can enter the country and complete the residence visa process. Fortunately, accredited universities and colleges often help eligible students with the application. Since procedures and fees vary by emirate and university, make sure to check your university’s current visa guidelines before applying.
Steps on Applying for an Emirati Student Visa
Now that you have an idea about the documents to prepare and the possible costs of studying in the United Arab Emirates, here are the steps to apply for a UAE student visa:
Step 1. Confirm Visa Application with the University
Accredited universities and colleges in the United Arab Emirates can sponsor student residence visas for eligible international students. For example, Middlesex University in Dubai asks students to complete the student visa application, provide the required documents, make the visa payment, and then leave the remaining process to the Middlesex University Dubai Visa Team.
Upon confirming that your university can process your UAE student visa application, follow its guidelines and submit the required documents. Take note that some universities may also require you to pay a tuition deposit or part of your annual tuition, in addition to visa-related fees.
Step 2. Apply for an Entry Permit
Student residence applications are handled through the relevant UAE immigration authority, such as the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai or the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), depending on the emirate and sponsor. In most cases, the university acts as the sponsor and applies on the student’s behalf.
If you are outside the country, you will usually need an entry permit before you can enter the UAE and complete the residence process. Requirements vary, but your sponsor university may ask you to submit:
- Copy of your passport
- Admission, enrollment, or acceptance letter showing your study program and duration
- Recent colored personal photo with a white background
There are associated fees when applying for an entry permit. Some universities already include these fees in the student visa processing package.
Step 3. Submit Your Requirements Electronically
To let your sponsor process your visa application and entry permit, follow the university’s instructions for submitting documents. In most cases, you will submit the documents electronically, either by uploading them to a university platform or by emailing them to the university admissions or student visa office.
Take note of the required file format and coordinate with the university if you have questions about the visa application requirements. Although the general requirements are listed here, always check with the university admissions or visa office for any additional documents. This can help you avoid submitting incomplete documents and delaying your visa processing.
Step 4. Settle Initial Payments and Financial Requirements
Some universities require applicants to settle tuition or at least a portion of it before the visa can be processed. International students applying to Abu Dhabi University, for example, must submit an initial payment of US$5,000 to the Finance Department. This amount includes items such as the repatriation deposit, residence visa application fee, student health insurance, maintenance deposit, application fee, and registration fee, with the balance credited toward course fees.
Meanwhile, the University of Wollongong in Dubai lists its current one-year student visa cost as AED 8,237 for applicants outside the UAE and AED 9,917 for applicants inside the UAE. These fees include medical insurance fees, visa processing, medical examination, Emirates ID application, 12 months of health insurance, and a visa maintenance charge.
Step 5. Wait for Visa Application Decision
Visa processing times vary by university, emirate, and government checks. Middlesex University Dubai encourages students to submit student visa applications at least one month before classes start and states that the student entry permit usually takes around 15 to 20 working days. The University of Wollongong in Dubai states that new visa applications normally take 7 to 14 working days, although some applications can take one month or more.
Step 6. Get Your Visa Stamp at the UAE
The university will inform you once your UAE student visa and entry permit are approved. If you are outside the UAE, you will use the entry permit to enter the country. After arrival, your sponsor university will guide you through the remaining steps, which may include medical testing, biometrics, Emirates ID registration, and residence issuance. Although many universities still use the term “visa stamping,” the UAE has replaced the residence sticker with the Emirates ID as proof of residence.
Documents Needed for Emirati Student Visa Applications
Upon acceptance, the university in the United Arab Emirates can assist you with your visa application. Here are the general requirements you may need to prepare:
- Completed visa application form
- Confirmation of the terms and conditions of the visa guidelines
- Completed Student Undertaking Letter, if required by the university
- Recent colored personal photo with a white background
- Clear colored passport copy; the government generally requires at least six months of validity, while some universities require one year of validity
- Unconditional offer letter, enrollment certificate, or acceptance letter from the university
- Copy of fee receipts or proof of required tuition and visa payments
- Proof of funds, if required by the university or sponsor
- Health insurance or proof that it is included in the university visa package
- For students under 18 years old, a Non-Objection Certificate from parents, if required by immigration or the university
Besides these documents, you may also need the following:
- Medical fitness test, generally required for residence visa applicants aged 18 and above
- Emirates ID application and biometrics
- A visa sponsor, such as your university, parent, or relative in the UAE
- Approval from the relevant immigration authority, such as GDRFA or ICP
FAQs: Student Visa Applications for the United Arab Emirates
How Much Money Do You Need for a United Arab Emirates Student Visa?
The total amount depends on the emirate, university, insurance package, Emirates ID fees, medical test fees, and whether you are applying from inside or outside the UAE. Government residence permit fees are only one part of the total cost. For example, GDRFA Dubai lists a student residence permit fee of AED 200, plus possible extra charges such as Knowledge Dirham, Innovation Dirham, inside-country fee, and delivery. ICP lists residence permit fees including an AED 100 application fee, AED 100 issuance fee per year, and AED 100 smart service fee.
University visa packages can be higher because they often include medical insurance, medical testing, Emirates ID, deposits, and university service charges. For example, Middlesex University Dubai lists a student visa fee of AED 5,555.22 for applicants outside the UAE and AED 7,235.22 for applicants inside the country, plus a refundable AED 2,500 visa deposit. The University of Wollongong in Dubai lists a one-year student visa cost of AED 8,237 for applicants outside the UAE and AED 9,917 for applicants inside the UAE. Abu Dhabi University requires an initial US$5,000 payment for eligible international students, with part of the amount credited toward course fees.
We hope this article on getting a UAE student visa was helpful! If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Study in UAE and Available Programs for International Students pages for more articles.
