A UAE student visa is a one-year residence visa, renewable each year, that is sponsored either by your licensed UAE university or by a parent who is a UAE resident, and approved by the immigration authority of the emirate (GDRFA in Dubai, ICP federally). You need an admission letter or proof of continuing enrolment, a medical fitness test, health insurance and an Emirates ID.
This guide sets out the current requirements and steps from official sources (u.ae, GDRFA Dubai) and university visa pages, the parent-sponsorship age rules, the long-term option for outstanding students, and the fees universities publish. Fees vary by university, so use the figures here as examples, not a single national price.
- Who sponsors
- Your accredited UAE university, or a UAE-resident parent (u.ae)
- Validity
- 1 year, renewable with proof of continued study (u.ae)
- Who approves
- GDRFA of the emirate; ICP for other emirates
- Example university fees
- AED 7,140 new visa incl. AED 3,000 refundable deposit (Curtin Dubai fee policy, July 2026); AED 1,670 renewal (RIT Dubai visa page, Oct 2026)
- Sons on parent visa
- Up to 25, longer with proof of a programme of at least one year (Gulf News, July 2025)
- Golden residence for top students
- Criteria include 95% school average or 3.5+ university GPA (GDRFA Dubai)
Who can sponsor a student visa in the UAE?
There are two main routes, according to u.ae:
- University sponsorship: accredited UAE universities and colleges can issue student visas for students coming from abroad or already living in the UAE. The university's visa or student affairs office files the application.
- Parent sponsorship: a parent with UAE residency can sponsor a child who is studying. Daughters can be sponsored at any age. For sons, Gulf News (July 2025) reports that parents can sponsor up to age 25, and beyond 25 with written proof of enrolment in a programme of at least one year.
Students funded by a foreign government should follow that sponsor's process. Admission alone does not guarantee a visa: u.ae states that issuance depends on a medical fitness test, security clearance and approval by the GDRFA.
UAE student visa requirements and documents
Requirements differ slightly by university, but these appear on u.ae and on the visa pages of RIT Dubai and Curtin University Dubai:
- Official admission letter (new students) or certificate of continued study (returning students)
- Passport valid for at least 6 months, plus white-background passport photos
- Receipt for the first semester or study period tuition (RIT Dubai and Curtin Dubai both require it)
- Visa processing fee and, at some universities, a refundable deposit
- Health insurance that meets the emirate's rules (RIT Dubai asks for a university or DHA-compliant policy)
- Medical fitness test at a government-approved centre after arrival
- If you already live in the UAE: copy of current residence or visit visa and cancellation paper, and old Emirates ID
Students cannot study on a tourist or visit visa, according to Curtin Dubai's visa policy.
Steps: how to get a student visa in UAE
- Get admitted to a licensed university and accept your offer.
- Pay tuition and visa fees as your university requires (often the first semester in full).
- Submit documents to the university visa office. RIT Dubai asks for them at least 5 working days before arrival.
- Receive your entry permit by email and travel to the UAE. If you are already in the country on a tourist visa, some universities require you to exit and re-enter, or pay a status-change fee.
- Medical fitness test at an approved centre, usually within your first week.
- Emirates ID biometrics and health insurance confirmation.
- Residence visa issued and Emirates ID delivered.
Processing times published by universities: RIT Dubai up to 15 working days for a new visa; Curtin Dubai 20 to 25 working days normal or 15 to 20 express. Applications can also be tracked through GDRFA Dubai, ICP and DubaiNow apps, according to Gulf News.
Student visa UAE price: what universities charge
There is no single government "student visa price" for the public. Universities bundle government fees, medical test, Emirates ID and their own processing charges. Examples from official university pages:
| University | New visa | Renewal | Other | Source date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curtin University Dubai | AED 7,140 normal, AED 8,520 express | AED 3,730 normal, AED 4,530 express | Totals include an AED 3,000 refundable deposit; AED 8,820 if switching from existing residence or visit visa | Curtin policy v15, July 2026 |
| RIT Dubai | Not stated as one figure; AED 1,800 status change if already in UAE | AED 1,670 per year | AED 500 cancellation from security deposit | Visa page, October 2026 |
Gulf News cited a range of AED 5,500 to 6,500 depending on institution and visa type, attributed to one Dubai business school (Gulf News, July 2025). Treat it as indicative only.
Student visa renewal and extension in UAE
The visa is valid for one year and is renewed each year with a letter confirming continued enrolment (u.ae). Universities add conditions:
- RIT Dubai asks students to submit renewal documents one month before expiry and requires minimum enrolment (three courses for undergraduates). After expiry there is a 30-day grace period, then daily fines.
- Curtin Dubai cancels the visa within four months of programme completion or at expiry, whichever is first, and requires outstanding debts to be settled before renewal.
When you finish your studies you must either cancel the visa, move to an employer or family visa, or apply for another residence category before the grace period ends.
5 year and 10 year visas for outstanding students
Searches for a "5 year student visa UAE" or "10 years student visa" refer to the golden residence for outstanding students and graduates. u.ae describes 5 years for high-school achievers and 10 years for top university students. GDRFA Dubai's service page for top students and graduates lists these criteria:
- School leavers: at least 95% average from a licensed UAE school, certificate attested by the Ministry of Education.
- UAE university graduates: cumulative GPA of 3.5 (Class A universities) or 3.8 (Class B), graduated within the last two years.
- International graduates: from a university in the world top 100 under the classification the ministry approves, GPA 3.5 or more, graduated within two years.
GDRFA Dubai lists fees (its service page, October 2026) of AED 1,100 for the permit plus AED 500 in-country fee and small service charges, with a 10-year validity shown on its page. Because u.ae and GDRFA describe the duration differently, confirm the length with ICP or GDRFA before applying.
Student visas for Canada, Spain and other countries from UAE
If you live in the UAE and want to study abroad, the visa is issued by the destination country, not the UAE. Apply through that country's official immigration portal or its embassy or visa centre in the UAE. For example, Canadian study permits are handled by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and Spanish student visas by the Spanish consulate. Requirements, proof of funds and processing times are set by each country and change often, so use only the official government pages. For options on choosing a destination, see study in UAE.
Questions and answers
Who sponsors a UAE student visa?
Either your licensed UAE university or a parent with UAE residency. The emirate's GDRFA or ICP approves the visa after medical and security checks.
How much does a student visa cost in UAE?
It depends on the university. Curtin Dubai lists AED 7,140 for a new visa for 2026, a total that includes an AED 3,000 refundable deposit, while RIT Dubai lists AED 1,670 for an annual renewal (Curtin and RIT Dubai sites, Oct 2026).
Is there an age limit for a student visa in UAE?
University-sponsored students apply as adults. For parent sponsorship, daughters can be sponsored at any age and sons up to 25, or longer with proof of enrolment in a programme of at least one year, according to Gulf News in July 2025.
How long is a UAE student visa valid?
One year, renewable each year with proof of continued enrolment.
Can I study in the UAE on a tourist visa?
No. Universities such as Curtin Dubai state that students cannot study on a tourist or visit visa.
Is there a 5 year student visa in UAE?
Outstanding students can apply for golden residence. GDRFA Dubai lists criteria such as a 95% school average or a 3.5 university GPA; u.ae describes 5 years for school achievers and 10 years for top university students.
Sources
Last checked: 15 October 2026