How To Get A Student Visa In Dubai
Studying in Dubai is a dream of millions of people. They have the opportunity to study and enjoy the best of what this place has to offer. It is true that students have the chance to earn their degree while living in a luxurious city where they can find plenty of opportunities for fun and entertainment or even just a simple beach trip.
In recent years, students are increasingly going to foreign countries to pursue university education. However, it is not easy for them to obtain permission for study in another country directly. They need to obtain a residence permit before studying in other countries. Dubai has many universities and each year, there are more than 100,000 international students from more than 180 countries and regions studying here.
Dubai is an international city. It attracts investors, tourists and many others from around the world. People move to Dubai for various reasons. Many people from India visit Dubai to pursue their higher studies and career. They are looking for cheap but quality education in various universities of Dubai. But before applying for the student visa in Dubai, it is important to know about eligibility criteria and things you need to submit before applying for this student visa .
How To Get A Student Visa In Dubai
Dubai is one of the most exciting and fastest growing cities in the world. Open your eyes to an international melting pot where people from more than 200 countries live, work and play. Dubai truly is a cosmopolitan city where new and exciting experiences are never far away.
Any foreign national (excluding those from the GCC) who wants to study in the UAE must obtain a UAE Student Visa. However, prior to that, they must get accepted into an institution of higher education in the UAE since it is the school that handles the visa application process.
What documents do I need for a Student Visa for the UAE?
When you apply for a Student Visa or the UAE, you must fulfill several requirements and have documents supporting your application. This includes:
- Your passport, along with several copies of your passport
- Several passport-sized pictures. You may need up to 12, so be prepared.
- The letter of acceptance into the UAE university or college.
- Proof of financial solvency to cover your tuition fees and living expenses
- A medical certificate, issued by a government-approved health center in the UAE. All applicants over the age of 18 have to undergo medical examinations for HIV, TB, Hepatitis B and C, Leprosy, and Syphilis.
- Proof of accommodation, such as student accommodation or proof of tenancy
- If you are applying for a post-graduate program, also include proof of certification from your previous university/college
Keep in mind: The requirements for visa applications differ from one emirate to the next, as well as from one university to the next. This is just the most commonly required documents. It is ultimately your school which provides you with the full list of all the documents you will need.
How can I get a Student Visa for the UAE?
If you have been accepted into a UAE higher education institution, your school arranges to get your UAE Student Visa from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – GDRFA. To be able to obtain the visa on your behalf, the college or university has to be accredited.
Because the UAE Student Visa is a type of residence visa, your school can only get it for you once you are in the country. This means you first need an entry permit for studying purposes.
Applying for the Entry Permit
Depending on your country, you may have to get an entry permit before you can enter the UAE. Your school also sponsors your entry permit. They can apply through one of the following portals:
- The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship
- The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – GDRFA either online (see the websites below) or in-person. If your host applies in-person they must do so through one of the licensed typing centers of the GDRFA in each Emirate or through one of the Amer centers in Dubai.
- GDRFA Dubai mobile apps for Apple and Android
See a more detailed explanation of the UAE visa application process and whether you need an entry permit here.
Once you enter the country, your school has to arrange for you to get a Student Visa, also known as a Student Residence Visa.
Applying for the Student Visa
Your college or university applies for your UAE Student Visa at the GDRFA office of the relevant emirate in which you will live. If your application is approved, the GDRFA will affix a Residence Visa on your passport, and you will receive an Emirates ID, valid for the same duration as the visa.
Here are the websites of the GDRFA in each emirate:
- Abu Dhabi
- Dubai (see also Amer, a website which Dubai citizens and residents can use to apply for family reunion and visitors can use to extend their Visa On Arrival)
- Sharjah
- Ajman
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Fujairah
Keep in mind: Just because you have been accepted in a higher education institution in the UAE, it does not necessarily mean that you will receive the visa. The decision does not depend on your school, but on the UAE immigration authorities.
How Long is a UAE Student Visa Valid?
In most cases, a student visa is issued for one year, and it can be renewed annually for the entire duration of your studies. To renew a Student Visa, you need confirmation from your school that you are still a student.
However, in 2018, the UAE government introduced a new type of Long-Term Residence Visa which is issued to outstanding or exceptional students. This type of visa is valid for five years.
