8 Things You Need To Know About The Dubai Visa

Dubai, also known as the “City of Gold,” is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. It is also the UAE’s educational hub. Universities and educational institutions in Dubai offer high-quality education to students from all over the world.

These institutions have international acclaim and provide all popular degrees such as science, engineering, technology, architecture, aviation, management, economics, media, fashion, IT, economics, law, and so on. Due to its fast-paced economy and development, Dubai offers numerous opportunities for students. As a result, there is a steady increase in students applying for a Dubai visa for study and work.

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

1. 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.

2. Eligibility and documents you need for a Dubai visa

In Dubai, international students can study at a variety of universities and colleges. If you are not a national of the UAE or a GCC country (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia), you must first 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.

If any of these tests turn out to be positive, the student will be deported. However, if the student has Syphillis, he or she can stay and be treated.

3. Higher education student visa 

Expat students over the age of 18 who live in the UAE are eligible for a student visa. In November 2018, the UAE government announced that outstanding students would 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 obtain a visa through an accredited college or university. Admission to one of the UAE colleges, however, does not guarantee the issuance of a visa. To qualify for a Dubai visa, you must pass medical tests, a security check, and obtain permission from the GDRFA.

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

The UAE law prohibits resident expatriate parents from continuing to sponsor their male child once he reaches the age of 18. Male students pursuing higher education in the UAE or abroad, on the other hand, 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 the residence visas of their parents.

These students, on the other hand, must provide proof of enrollment in a higher educational institute for at least one year.

Expat parents may continue to support their female children’s education regardless of their age. Students’ parents must present officially attested graduation certificates from universities.

4. 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 computer-based standardized tests for competitive and entry-level university admissions. It is acceptable at both public and private universities. The EmSAT covers 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.

5. Fee details 

The figures below represent the average annual fees for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Dubai. The fees, on the other hand, are determined by the course and university to which you are applying.

6. Dubai visa cost for students 

The first time you apply for a student visa in Dubai, you will pay approximately AED 100. The cost of renewing your student visa after a year is also the same.

7. 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.

8. Work prospects for graduates in Dubai

There are numerous internship opportunities available once you complete your course in Dubai. The majority of these internships, however, are unpaid. Furthermore, Dubai provides numerous lucrative career opportunities and opportunities for advancement in a variety of industries.

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.