Everything you need to know about the Dubai visa

Dubai is the known as the “City of Gold” and is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. It also the educational hub of the UAE. Universities and institutions in Dubai provide high-quality education and cater to students from all over the world. These institutions hold international recognition and offer all popular degrees such as science, engineering, technology, architecture, aviation, management, economics, media, fashion, IT, economics, law, etc. There are plenty of opportunities for students in Dubai owing to its fast-paced economy and development. Therefore, there is a steady increase in students applying for a Dubai visa for study and professional purposes.

Here is everything you need to know about getting a Dubai visa.

Why study in Dubai?

Before we talk about the Dubai visa, lets look at why Dubai is a great study destination –

• Dubai is a safe city to live in. 
• It has a well-established educational system. 
• The universities in Dubai are equipped with cutting-edge technology.
• Tuition and living costs in Dubai are minimal in contrast to other countries in the west. 
• It is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, with plenty of opportunities for students. 
• The prospects for finding full-time employment are immense due to vast development. 
• Dubai has a diverse culture and students are exposed to almost 200 different nationalities.

Eligibility and documents you need for a Dubai visa

International Students can study at a multitude of universities and colleges in Dubai. If you are neither a United Arab Emirates national nor GCC nation (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia), then you must complete all university processes before applying for a student visa in Dubai. 

Following are the documents you require to apply for a Dubai visa –

• A valid passport
• 4 copies of your passport
• 12 passport-sized photos with a white background taken recently. 
• Acceptance letter from the university you have applied to. 
• Valid bank statement.
• A tenancy agreement that governs the use of a property. If an applicant does not have one, they must obtain a letter for the same from their university.
• A valid copy of the tuition fee receipt. 
• A valid copy of the visa fee receipt. 
• A proof of your recent educational qualification (undergraduate or graduate).
• It is mandatory for a student to undergo a medical examination at an authorized center. 
• A test for COVID, HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Leprosy, Syphilis, and Tuberculosis and a chest X-ray is a must. 

In case any of these tests come back as positive, the student in question will be deported. However, in the case of Syphillis the student can stay and get it treated.

Higher education student visa 

Expat students over the age of 18 who are residing in the UAE are granted a student visa. The UAE government in November 2018 announced that outstanding students will be eligible for a long-term visa. 

Eligibility conditions for a long term 5-year visa –

• Secondary school students, whether public or private, must graduate with a grade of at least 95%. 
• University students from both within and outside the country must have a GPA of at least 3.75 to graduate. 

Note: Families of excellent students will be eligible for visa benefits as well.

Who is a student visa for?

A student visa is for students attending university or college in the cities of UAE. Students must be 18 years old or older to be eligible.

What is the validity of the student’s visa? 

A student visa in Dubai is currently valid only for a period of one year. It is, however, extendable if the student submits certified proof from the relevant educational institutions in the UAE. 

Who provides a Dubai student visa? 

Student visas in Dubai are issued by each emirate, which is represented by the relevant General Directorate of Residency. The Foreigners Affairs then processes the visa applications. 

Can universities and colleges help their students obtain a visa?

Yes, students can get a visa directly from an accredited college or university. However admission to one of the UAE colleges does not ensure the issuance of a visa. You need to pass medical tests, a security check as well as take permission from the GDRFA to qualify for a Dubai visa.

How may UAE expatriate residents obtain a student visa for their children? 

The UAE law precludes resident expatriate parents from continuing to sponsor their male child above 18 years old. However, male students pursuing higher education in the UAE or abroad qualify for the Dubai student visa as an exception. This means that male students over the age of 18 can continue to live in Dubai on their parents’ residence visas. 

These students, however, have to show proof of enrollment at a higher educational institute for at least one year. Regardless of their age, expatriate parents may continue to support their female children for education. Parents of the students must produce officially attested graduation credentials from universities. 

Eligibility criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate international students

Undergraduate: 

• A competitve IELTS or TOEFL score, depending on your university’s requirements
• Students who have more 75% scores in ISC/CBSE or are Cambridge English students may be exempt from English proficiency tests.
• A minimum of 12 years of schooling with a 60 percent or higher grade point average. 
• Students with an English score of more than 75% may not take the IELTS test. 
• For UG admission to competitive universities, students will need to take the EmSAT.

EmSAT is a national system of standardized computer-based tests for competitive and basic university admissions. It is valid for both public and private universities. The subjects covered in the EmSAT are Arabic, English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Biology. 

Note: Arabic is not necessary for international students. 

Postgraduate: 

• Foreign colleges with branches in Dubai expect credentials that are comparable to those in their home countries. 
• An aggregate of 60% or above in your undergraduate degree.
• Competitive TOEFL or IELTS scores to prove proficiency in English
• Students applying to MBA programs in Dubai must have 2-4 years of relevant work experience.

Fee details 

Here are figures of the average fees you can expect to pay per annum for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Dubai. The fees however, does depend on the course and university you are applying to.

Undergraduate	AED 37,500 to AED 70,000 per annum
Postgraduate	AED 55,000 to AED 75,000 per annum

Dubai visa cost for students 

The first time you apply for a student visa in Dubai it will cost cost you around AED 100. The renewal of your student visa after a year will also cost the same.

Work authorization for students in Dubai

If you intend to stay and work in Dubai during your education period, here is what you need to know –

• International students can only work part-time and that too off-campus. They need authorization from United Arab Emirates’ Department of Labour. 
• Students must also obtain permission for part-time work from their university or college. 
• Only students over the age of 18 are eligible to work.
• Students can work 15 hours per week or 60 hours per month during sessions. 
• During the summer vacations, students may work for 40 hours per week or 160 hours per month.

Work prospects for graduates in Dubai

Once you complete your course in Dubai, there are plenty of internship options available. However, a majority of these internships are unpaid. Moreover, Dubai does offer many lucrative career opportunities and scope for growth in various sectors.

Here is what you need to know about applying for a work-permit in Dubai.

• Students with a GPA of 3.75 or more can apply for a renewable Dubai visa
• Outstanding students are eligible to apply for a 5-year long-term visa. This enables them to stay in UAE and search for work opportunities.
• After graduation students can search for a job following which they can apply for a work permit. 
• The residence permit for employment issued for an employee is one of the major types of Dubai work visa 
• The UAE has an employment age of 18 years. 

FAQs 

Q1. What is the average time it takes to obtain a student visa? 

Answer – A student visa application will take 2-4 weeks to process. it is generally advisable to apply at least two months prior to the intake date. 

Q2. Is it possible to leave Dubai while on a student visa? 

Answer – One is free to go outside of Dubai. However, if you are absent from Dubai beyond 6 months the visa is invalid.

Q3. Is it possible for me to bring dependents on a student visa? 

Answer – No, sponsoring parents and dependants is only valid for resident visa holders in Dubai.

Q4. How does a student obtain a resident visa to live and work after completing their studies?

Answer – Outstanding students are eligible for a 5-year long-term resident visa from Dubai and the UAE government. This enables individuals to find work, obtain work permits, and establish permanent residence in the country. Another way is to obtain a work permit through the company that hired you. 

Q5. How to apply for a Dubai visa for higher studies? 

Answer – Here is how you can apply for your Dubai visa

• Students must fill the visa application form and attach a passport-sized photograph to it. 
• Make sure that the attached photograph meets the required specifications. 
• Complete the application by attaching the required documents as per the checklist. 
• Submit your application at the Dubai application center.
• On visa approval, collect a visa copy from the application center.

Feel free to reach out to us regarding any help in your application process!

All the best!