Move to the United Arab Emirates
Tax-free salaries, close to home
Visas and permits
Ways to move
United Arab Emirates student residence visa
A student may reside in the UAE to study under the sponsorship of a UAE-resident parent or the accredited university or college where they study. The residence period for an institution-sponsored student is determined by the study programme.
- Fee
- AED 100 per person
- Decision
- —
UAE Golden Residency for outstanding students and graduates
This route covers eligible high-performing school graduates in the UAE and university graduates. ICP describes it as a ten-year residence without a sponsor, with automatic renewal. ([icp.gov.ae](https://icp.gov.ae/en/services/uae-golden-residency/?utm_source=openai))
- Fee
- AED 100 per person
- Decision
- —
UAE Green Residence for skilled workers
This route allows eligible skilled workers to live and work in the UAE for five years without a residence sponsor. It is renewable and allows holders to sponsor family members subject to the applicable requirements.
- Fee
- AED 100 per person
- Decision
- —
UAE Standard work visa
This employer-applied-for route allows a foreign employee to live and work in the UAE. The government describes the standard work visa as valid for two years and renewable, subject to the issuing authority’s conditions.
- Fee
- AED 200 per person
- Decision
- About 2 days
United Arab Emirates Golden Residency for scientists and specialists
This route offers eligible scientists, specialists and senior skilled professionals 10 years of UAE residence without a sponsor, with automatic renewal. Eligible applicants outside the UAE can obtain a six-month, multiple-entry visa to complete the residence procedures.
- Fee
- AED 100 per person
- Decision
- —
UAE Golden Residency for entrepreneurs
This route offers eligible entrepreneurs ten years of UAE residency without a sponsor, with automatic renewal. Holders can live, work, study and invest in the UAE.
- Fee
- AED 100 per person
- Decision
- About 2 days
United Arab Emirates Golden Residency for investors
This route offers eligible investors 10 years of UAE residency without a sponsor. ICP lists both public-investment and real-estate investors under the route.
- Fee
- AED 100 per person
- Decision
- About 2 days
UAE Jobseeker visit visa
This visit visa lets a foreign national enter the UAE to look for work without a host or sponsor. The official guidance lists stays of 60, 90 or 120 days; the visa does not permit the holder to work.
- Fee
- AED 200 per person
- Decision
- About 2 days
Funded study
Open scholarships
Duffin Family Future Shapers Scholarship
Heriot-Watt University Dubai
AED 15,000 deducted from tuition fees.
Tahnoon bin Zayed Scholarship in AI Excellence
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
Financial support throughout the four-year programme; the award page does not specify an amount or cost breakdown.
Need-based Institutional Financial Aid
NYU Abu Dhabi
The grant amount varies with assessed financial need.
Money
What it costs
Living costs month in Abu Dhabi
Khalifa University student estimate; excludes housingResearched just now · being double-checkedSourceAED 2,000 to AED 3,000 a month
Living costs month in Dubai
BUiD international-student estimate, including rentbuid.ac.ae · checked 5 days agoSourceAED 4,750 to AED 8,000 a month
Rent in Abu Dhabi
Khalifa University graduate-student residence, depending on dormResearched just now · being double-checkedSourceAED 2,000 to AED 3,000 a month
Rent in Dubai
Single student room; 2026/27 university rates for 4–12-month staysbirmingham.ac.uk · checked 5 days agoSourceAED 5,000 to AED 5,250 a month
Tuition, postgraduate
Khalifa University estimated MSc tuitionResearched just now · being double-checkedSourceAED 150,000 a year
Tuition, undergraduate
Khalifa University estimated BSc tuitionResearched just now · being double-checkedSourceAED 81,250 a year
Visa fee graduate
Dubai Golden Residence permit fee for eligible top graduates; additional charges may apply.gdrfad.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSourceAED 1,100
Student visa fee
Dubai student residence permit fee; additional charges may apply.gdrfad.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSourceAED 200
Visa fee talent
Dubai Golden Residence permit fee for eligible healthcare specialists; additional charges may apply.Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceAED 1,100
Work visa fee
Dubai work entry visa linked to a job contract; VAT and possible additional charges are excluded.alsaada.gdrfad.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSourceAED 200
Work visa fee
Dubai skilled-worker Green Residence permit fee; additional charges may apply.Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceAED 200
Work visa fee
Dubai job-exploration visit visa: AED200 for 60 days, AED300 for 90 days or AED400 for 120 days; VAT, security guarantee and other charges are excluded.Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceAED 200 to AED 400
Questions
Moving to the United Arab Emirates, answered
What visas can I use to move to the United Arab Emirates?
Japper tracks 8 routes to the United Arab Emirates: United Arab Emirates student residence visa, UAE Golden Residency for outstanding students and graduates, UAE Green Residence for skilled workers, UAE Standard work visa, United Arab Emirates Golden Residency for scientists and specialists, UAE Golden Residency for entrepreneurs, United Arab Emirates Golden Residency for investors, UAE Jobseeker visit visa. Each has its requirements, fees and decision time on its own page, from official sources.
How much does the United Arab Emirates student residence visa cost?
The icp residence-permit application fee is AED 100 per person, according to icp.gov.ae (checked 27 September 2026). Other costs, like tuition and money to show, are listed on this page.
How long does a UAE Standard work visa take?
About 2 days. GDRFA Dubai publishes an expected completion time of 48 hours for the work entry visa. This is not a published end-to-end time for obtaining the residence permit..
Are there scholarships for international students in the United Arab Emirates?
Yes. Japper lists 17 open scholarships in the United Arab Emirates right now, including Duffin Family Future Shapers Scholarship, Tahnoon bin Zayed Scholarship in AI Excellence, Need-based Institutional Financial Aid. Each links to its official page.
How we know
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these, and shows when it was last checked. Routes were last checked on 27 September 2026.
- u.ae/en/information-and-services/jobs/employment-in-the-private-secto…Official
- Issuing Residency Permiticp.gov.aeOfficial
- Issuance of a Job Exploration Visa – 90 Days – Single Entryicp.gov.aeOfficial
- Residence visa for studying in the UAE | The Official Platform of the UAE Governmentu.aeOfficial
- General provisions for the residence visa | The Official Platform of the UAE Governmentu.aeOfficial
- Issuance of a visa to complete Golden Residency procedures (6 months – multiple entry).icp.gov.aeOfficial
- Visa Issuance for Foreigners linked with Job Contractgdrfad.gov.aeOfficial
- Fee and Payment Guidelines - Khalifa Universityku.ac.aeInstitution
- The Myriad - University of Birmingham Dubaibirmingham.ac.ukInstitution
- Employment of expatriates in privately held companies | The Official Platform of the UAE Governmentu.aeOfficial
- Golden Residency Guide | Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Securityicp.gov.aeOfficial
- u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas…Official
- Green Residence Guide | Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Securityicp.gov.aeOfficial
- Issuing a residency permit to a studentgdrfad.gov.aeOfficial
- Issuing a green residence permit (High Skilled Worker)gdrfad.gov.aeOfficial
- Issuance of a Visaicp.gov.aeOfficial
- gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/c4d66f28-408c-11ed-4fe5-0050569629e8Official
- Issuing residence permits for the private sectorgdrfad.gov.aeOfficial
- Issuance of a Residence Visa for an Entrepreneuricp.gov.aeOfficial
- Issuance of a Golden Residency Visa for Scientists and Specialistsicp.gov.aeOfficial
- Issuance of the Top High School Students Visa – Inside the Countryicp.gov.aeOfficial
- u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/visit-visas/job…Official
- Issuance of a Job Exploration Visa – 60 Days – Single Entryicp.gov.aeOfficial
- Issuance of a Visit Visa for the Purpose of Exploringgdrfad.gov.aeOfficial
- u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Apply-and-track…Official
- u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/tips-to-avoid-l…Official
- Visa Issuance for Foreigners linked with Job Contractalsaada.gdrfad.gov.aeOfficial
- Issuance of a Visit Visa for the Purpose of Exploringalsaada.gdrfad.gov.aeOfficial
- Issuing a golden residence permit (Top students, graduates)gdrfad.gov.aeOfficial
- Issuing Golden Residence Permit (Specialized Scientists)gdrfad.gov.aeOfficial
- BUiDbuid.ac.aeInstitution
- Exchange Student Guideku.ac.aeInstitution
- Tahnoon bin Zayed Scholarship in AI Excellencembzuai.ac.aeInstitution
- The Duffin Family Future Shapers Scholarship | Heriot-Watt Universityhw.ac.ukInstitution
- Scholarships and Financial Aid - NYU Abu Dhabinyuad.nyu.eduInstitution
Find your way to the United Arab Emirates
Answer a few quick questions and see the routes, scholarships and jobs that fit you, with the steps to get there.
Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.
