Australia
Netherlands
Ireland
Cyprus
Student visa for the United Arab Emirates
Money to show for the visa: No national figure published. Work while you study: Only with a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. Checked against the official pages on 24 September 2026.
The numbers
- Money you must show
- No national figure published
- Visa fee
- AED 720 in Dubai government fees for a student residence permit
- Work while you study
- Only with a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
- Stay after you graduate
- Jobseeker visit visa of 60, 90 or 120 days; 10-year Golden Visa for top graduates
Your university sponsors your residence permit and acts as guarantor. GDRFA Dubai lists no financial guarantee for students. Ask your university what it requires, often a fee deposit.
GDRFA Dubai / UAE Government portal, checked 2026-09-24
AED 200 permit fee, AED 20 in knowledge and innovation fees, AED 500 in-country fee. Medical test, Emirates ID, insurance and your university's own visa charges are extra.
GDRFA Dubai, checked 2026-09-24
No national weekly hour limit is published. The student training and employment permit is valid for three months. Ask your university about its own rules.
UAE Government portal (u.ae), checked 2026-09-24
Jobseeker visa: graduates of the world's top 500 universities within 2 years, or skill levels 1-3. Golden Visa: GPA of at least 3.5 at an A-classified UAE university, graduated within 2 years.
GDRFA Dubai / UAE Government portal, checked 2026-09-24
Worth knowing: The jobseeker visa of up to 120 days is only for top 500 university graduates or skill levels 1 to 3, and no public university tuition or living cost figure is given.
The visa
International students hold a student residence permit. Two routes are possible:
1. University sponsorship. Your accredited university acts as your host and guarantor, applies for your entry permit and then your residence permit. 2. Parent sponsorship, if a parent is resident in the UAE. The UAE Government portal sets age limits: sons up to 25, and daughters until marriage.
You need a certificate from your university stating the length of your studies, a medical examination, health insurance, an Emirates ID application, a passport copy and a photo.
The fees. GDRFA Dubai lists government fees of AED 720 for a student residence permit: an AED 200 permit fee, AED 10 each in knowledge and innovation fees, and an AED 500 in-country fee. GDRFA adds AED 100 a year for permits longer than two years. The medical test, Emirates ID and insurance are charged separately, and most universities add their own visa processing charge: ask yours for the total. Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the other emirates process residence through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), and their fees can differ.
Processing: GDRFA Dubai quotes 48 hours through its digital channels once the application is complete.
The money. The UAE publishes no national proof-of-funds figure for students, and GDRFA Dubai's service page lists no financial guarantee. Because your university is your sponsor, it sets the financial conditions, commonly payment of a semester's fees or a deposit before it applies for your visa. Ask for its requirements in writing.
Where to apply
At the embassy or consulate of the United Arab Emirates that covers your country, or through the visa application centre it names. Book early: in the busiest months appointments can be weeks away. Apply only through the official website; nobody can sell you a faster place in the queue.
Official pages: gdrfad.gov.ae · u.ae · u.ae · u.ae · gdrfad.gov.ae · gdrfad.gov.ae. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you apply.
By nationality
From Algeria
From Armenia
From Azerbaijan
From Bangladesh
From Brazil
From Cameroon
From Canada
From China
From Colombia
From Egypt
From Ethiopia
From Georgia
From Ghana
From India
From Indonesia
From Iran
From Iraq
From Japan
From Jordan
From Kazakhstan
From Kenya
From Lebanon
From Malaysia
From Mexico
From Morocco
From Nepal
From Nigeria
From Pakistan
From Philippines
From Russia
From Saudi Arabia
From Senegal
From South Africa
From South Korea
From Sri Lanka
From Syria
From Tanzania
From Tunisia
From Türkiye
From Uganda
From Ukraine
From United States
From Uzbekistan
From Vietnam
From ZimbabweQuestions students ask
How much money do I need to show for a United Arab Emirates student visa?
No national figure published. Your university sponsors your residence permit and acts as guarantor. GDRFA Dubai lists no financial guarantee for students. Ask your university what it requires, often a fee deposit. (GDRFA Dubai / UAE Government portal, checked 2026-09-24).
How much is the student visa fee for the United Arab Emirates?
AED 720 in Dubai government fees for a student residence permit.
Can international students work in the United Arab Emirates?
Only with a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Can I stay in the United Arab Emirates after I graduate?
Jobseeker visit visa of 60, 90 or 120 days; 10-year Golden Visa for top graduates.
This page is general information from official sources, not immigration advice. For a decision about your own case, the official source or a regulated adviser is where that belongs.