Student Visa for Higher Education Institutions
United Arab Emirates
Last updated: December 19, 2025
1 year (renewable)
$800-$1,400
7-15 days
Low
About this Visa
This visa lets you study at a university or college in the UAE. You get legal residency while studying. The visa is active and accepting applications in 2025. Your school sponsoring you handles most of the paperwork. You can attend any accredited university, college, or high school in the UAE. The visa makes studying there legal and official. This is one of the most accessible study visas globally, with simplified documentation as of 2025. Outstanding graduates can qualify for extended residency (5-10 years) through the Golden Visa program.
Key Benefits
- Work part-time during studies with university approval
- Work full-time during semester breaks
- Stay after graduation on job seeker visa (1 year) or Green Visa (5 years)
- Travel freely in and out of UAE
- Get required health insurance
- Qualify for Golden Visa if excellent student (5-10 years residency)
- No visa change needed to get job after graduation
Eligibility & Requirements
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be 18 years old or older
- Accepted to a UAE university, college, or high school
- Show AED 20,000 ($5,450) in bank account
- Pass medical test (no HIV, TB, Hepatitis B/C, Syphilis)
- No criminal record
- Valid passport with 6+ months remaining
- Not banned from UAE entry
- English-educated OR pass English language test
Financial Requirement
Show AED 20,000 ($5,450) in bank account via recent bank statements
Documents
- Valid passportMust have 6+ months remaining validity
- School acceptance letterOfficial letter from accredited UAE institution
- Recent photographs4 photos, white background, professional quality
- Bank statementProof of AED 20,000 ($5,450) balance
- School visa approval letterVisa sponsorship letter from institution
- Health insurance informationRequired after enrollment
- Medical examination resultsCompleted after arrival in UAE
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Visa requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Please verify all information with official government sources and consult a qualified immigration attorney before making decisions.