Dubai student visa guide: Requirements, costs and how to apply in 2026

Dubai: Want to study in Dubai? The city makes the process easy for you.

Dubai is home to over 60 accredited colleges and universities, according to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), alongside a large number of international branch campuses from countries like the UK, US, India, Australia, and Europe. As a thriving education hub, it attracts talented students from all over the world.

To study in Dubai, however, you will require a valid student visa. Here’s everything you need to know, before you apply.

Why do I need a student visa?

A student visa is a residence permit that allows students to live and study in Dubai for the duration of their course. The visa is valid for one year and must be renewed annually until the student completes the programme.

The student visa process in Dubai is managed by the admitting university or licensed educational institution. Requirements vary, based on whether you are an international student arriving in the country for the first time, a UAE resident moving to a new institution, or a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) national.

The student visa doesn’t just grant you legal residence in the country, but also permits access to essential services, like applying for an Emirates ID, opening a bank account, and even applying for part-time work.

Which types of visas can students use?

According to Visit Dubai, the city’s official tourism website, there are two main visa types available for students:

The parent- or guardian-sponsored visa is another option that’s common for students who are already UAE residents. This is essentially a residence visa with your guardian or parent as your sponsor. Male students can live and study under this sponsored visa in the UAE, until age 25, while there is no such age limit for female students.

When should I apply for a student visa?

The student visa process can take between two to five weeks, according to Visit Dubai, while many universities in the UAE post processing timelines of six to eight weeks. So, it’s important to begin your UAE student visa application as soon as you receive your official acceptance letter from your university or college. Delays in starting the process might affect your ability to arrive in the country before the course commencement date.

Eligibility and required documents

Three categories of students may pursue their higher education in the UAE. However, visa requirements differ for each category:

1. International students

Individuals from abroad, who are applying to live and study in the UAE, must have a student visa sponsored by their university. In Dubai, the application process is managed by the institution, through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA).

International students require the following documents before applying:

2. UAE residents

Students in the UAE, who are on a family (or other) visa, may need to switch to a student visa in some cases. For instance, if you are a male student and have crossed the age of 25, you are no longer eligible to remain under your parent’s sponsorship, and will have to apply for your own student visa.

According to the GDRFA, male students can remain on their parent’s sponsorship until the age of 25, if enrolled in an accredited higher education programme, while female students can stay sponsored until marriage.

If you need to switch to a student visa, you will require the following documents:

3. GCC nationals

Citizens of GCC countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE – do not need a visa to study in Dubai, according to the GDRFA. However, to study in Dubai, you will be required to show standard enrollment documents at the university, including:

Steps to apply for a student visa

Applying for a standard student visa is a straightforward process. However, ensure you leave plenty of time to complete all the formalities. Dubai-based universities like Murdoch University and the American University in Dubai (AUD) recommend starting the visa process at least six to eight weeks before the university term commences.

Step 1: Receive your admission offer letter from an accredited university/college

Obtain an official acceptance letter from a university or college in Dubai that is licensed by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) or the KHDA. To see a list of accredited and licensed institutions, you can browse KHDA’s Higher Education Directory: web.khda.gov.ae/en/Education-Directory/Higher-Education.

To start the process, accept the unconditional offer from the university, and pay all fees due as per the offer letter.

Step 2: Prepare required documents

Aside from the standard documents mentioned above, you can also compile additional documents to strengthen your profile as an independent student ready to live and learn in the UAE. These are not mandatory documents, but you may be asked for one or more of them by the GDRFA, during the visa process. According to the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), these additional documents include:

Step 3: Submit the visa application

Once the university receives your payment and signed offer letter, they will provide you with a receipt and confirmation. International students will also receive further details, including forms required to start the visa process. Fill out the student visa application form, submit it to your university as early as possible, and pay the requisite fee.

Alternatively, you can apply for a student visa through a visa service provider based in the UAE. They will manage the entire process for you, and ensure timely document submission.

Cost: Dh2,000 to Dh3,200 for visa processing and issuance, and refundable Dh3,000 security deposit.

Step 4: Receive an entry permit

Once you submit the visa application and required documents, the university will process it for you. The processing time is approximately three to four working days, according to the American University of Dubai (AUD), although delays may occur.

Once approved, you will receive an entry permit from the university.

The entry permit is the initial visa issued by the GDRFA to facilitate students’ entry into the UAE, so you can complete your visa formalities. The entry permit is valid for two months and must be used to enter the country within the validity period specified on the permit. It is directly linked to your student visa application.

Once you arrive in the UAE, you have 60 days to complete the visa process, although it usually takes fewer days to do so.

Cost: Approximately Dh300

Step 5: Proceed with medical fitness test and biometric collection

Now, you can follow steps similar to attaining a regular residence visa in the UAE, starting with completing your medical fitness test (only if you are aged 18 and above; younger students are not mandated to undergo a medical fitness test).

After arriving in the UAE, most universities require you to visit their campuses within three working days of your arrival, with your passport, entry permit and digital passport photo (for Emirates ID application).

Provide these documents to your university and they will arrange for you to complete your medical fitness test (if applicable) at a GDRFA-authorised medical fitness centre or a Smart Salem centre. The university will notify you of the exact location once the medical fitness test appointment is confirmed.

Cost: Dh250 to Dh350

Step 6: Register for biometric collection

About 7 to 10 days after passing your medical fitness test, you will receive an appointment to complete your biometrics (fingerprinting and facial scan) at an official testing centre, according to UOWD. Complete this mandatory requirement.

Cost: Approximately Dh230

Step 7: Get visa stamped and collect your Emirates ID

About 10 to 15 working days after your biometric scan is complete, you will receive a notification from your university to submit your passport for visa stamping, and to collect your Emirates ID. The Emirates ID is your official identification card and signifies your status as a resident of the UAE.

Cost: Dh350

Additional things to consider

Health insurance: Dubai Health Authority (DHA) compliant medical insurance is compulsory for all students, whether on a university-sponsored student visa or an existing visa, according to the GDRFA. Most universities provide access to their group medical health insurance scheme, which is mandatory for university-sponsored students and optional for non-sponsored students. The fee for the health insurance is usually included in the tuition cost or visa processing fees, and ranges between Dh1,000 to Dh2,500 annually.

Travel limitations: Once you have received your student visa and Emirates ID, you may leave the UAE again, however, note that if you stay abroad for longer than six months, your student visa will be void.

Visa renewal: The student visa is valid for one year, and students typically receive a renewal reminder email from their university every year. The visa renewal process should be started at least 30 days before the expiry date to avoid overstay fines. Students bear the cost of fines in case of delays due to late renewal applications, according to Murdoch University, Dubai.