UAE student visa

Specific details

To study at a private school or university in the UAE, you must obtain a student visa.

The visa application is processed through the visa authorities presented by the relevant Directorate General for Residence and Foreigners in each Emirate.

The key point in obtaining a visa is the fact that a student visa in the UAE can be issued personally by the applicant, parents or sponsor of the student, who is a university or a private school. Only accredited universities, colleges and schools in the UAE can obtain a visa for their students, whether they are international students or students who already reside in the Emirates, but on a different type of visa.

Admission to a university or school does not yet guarantee the issuance of a visa. The issuance of permits is carried out subject to certain requirements, which include undergoing a medical examination in the UAE, security checks and approval by the General Directorate for Foreigners in the relevant Emirate.

The student residence visa is issued for only one year and then can be renewed. With high academic performance and excellent academic results, the visa can be extended immediately for 5 years. Under normal conditions, the visa is extended for a similar period (that is, one year) after the official confirmation of the continuation of studies issued by the relevant educational institution in the UAE, in which the student-applicant is enrolled.

A student visa does not give the right to work.

Student visa cost

A student visa application can cost up to AED 3,000 (approximately US $ 820). A deposit of AED 1000 (USD 270) must also be paid.

The processing time for a visa to the UAE takes 15-20 working days.

What documents are required to apply for a student visa

Passport and copy of passport
A photo
A letter offering a place of admission from an educational institution in the UAE. For schoolchildren, a certificate of continuing education is required.
Registration certificate issued by the university
Bank statements confirming the availability of funds
Rental agreement or proof of residence
A copy of the tuition payment receipt for the current academic year
Copy of visa fee receipt
Diploma of completed education, certificate of university studies / certificate of school.
Medical suitability test results (the test is already carried out in the UAE).

It is worth noting that the legalization of documents confirming the level of education is required. Legalization provides for a professional translation of a document into English or Arabic with legal certification in the country of its accreditation. That is, the student needs to translate the document into English or Arabic, certify the translation with a notary, then certify this document at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice, and then legalize the document at the UAE Embassy. Only after going through this chain and with all the seals and signatures of officials, your documents will be accepted and considered in the United Arab Emirates.

The applicant can apply for an entry permit or visa through the website of the ICA Federal Office for Personality and Citizenship or at the General Directorate for Residence and Foreigners (GDRFA), which operates under the Ministry. The ICA website only offers online enrollment, while GDRFA offers both online feeds and offline filing.

Portals for filing:

The eChannels portal
The website of GDRFA
The mobil apps.

To apply for these portals, you need to register.

Despite the general rules for filing, it is necessary to check with each educational institution the conditions and rules for applying for a visa.

Provide feedback