United Arab Emirates student residence visa

Students studying in the UAE who have an eligible resident parent or an accredited educational institution to sponsor them.

• Eligible sponsor

  The student must be sponsored by a parent who is a UAE resident or by the accredited university or college where the student studies.

  u.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• Proof of study

  Submit a certificate issued by the university or institute specifying the duration of the study.

  u.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• Passport validity

  For the ICP residence-permit service, the passport must be valid for no less than six months.

  icp.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• Medical fitness

  Residence visa applicants aged 18 or above must undergo a medical test to prove they are medically fit.

  u.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• Security check

  Residence visa applicants must pass a security check.

  u.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• Emirates ID application

  Residence visa applicants must apply for an Emirates ID card.

  u.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• Parent sponsorship conditionsSometimes needed

  Expatriate residents can sponsor male children up to age 25; male students over 25 can remain on parental sponsorship if they provide evidence of attending a higher educational institute. Female children can remain sponsored for study regardless of age until marriage.

  u.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• Institutional enrolmentSometimes needed

  For institution-sponsored residence, the foreign student must be enrolled in an accredited university, college, educational institution or research institute.

  gdrfad.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• Educational approvalSometimes needed

  For institution-sponsored residence, the educational institution must be licensed and approval must be obtained from the Ministry of Education or the competent educational authority in the emirate, as applicable.

  gdrfad.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• Health insuranceSometimes needed

  Valid health insurance is listed among the required documents for an institution-sponsored student residence permit.

  icp.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• ICP residence-permit application feeicp.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSourceAED 100 per person
• ICP residence-permit issuance feeicp.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSourceAED 100 a year
• ICP smart-service feeicp.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSourceAED 100 per person
• Dubai student residence-permit feegdrfad.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSourceAED 200 per person
• Dubai Knowledge Dirhamgdrfad.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSourceAED 10 per person
• Dubai Innovation Dirhamgdrfad.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSourceAED 10 per person
• Dubai delivery feegdrfad.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSourceAED 20 per person

1. Get ready

   • Secure an eligible sponsor

     Arrange sponsorship through a UAE-resident parent or the accredited university or college where you will study.

   • Obtain your study certificate

     Get a certificate from the university or institute stating the duration of your study.

     You’ll need: Certificate specifying study duration

   • Gather institutional documents

     For institution-sponsored residence, obtain proof of enrolment, the institution’s hosting letter and the relevant educational authority’s approval.

     You’ll need: Enrolment certificate, Hosting letter stating the programme and its duration, Educational authority approval

   • Prepare your personal documents

     Prepare your passport, personal photograph and valid health insurance for the residence-permit application.

     You’ll need: Passport, Personal photograph, Valid health insurance

2. Travel

   • Enter the UAE

     When you arrive

     After entry, complete the ICP residence-issuance procedures within 60 days.

3. Settle in

   • Complete the residence checks

     If you are 18 or above, undergo the medical fitness test; residence applicants must also pass a security check and apply for an Emirates ID card.

     You’ll need: Medical fitness certificate if aged 18 or above, Emirates ID application receipt

   • Submit the residence application

     Submit the application through an available service channel and attach required documents if they cannot be retrieved electronically.

     You’ll need: Required residence-permit documents

   • Pay the required fees

     Pay the fees specified by the authority handling your residence-permit application.

   • Receive your residence permit and ID

     Follow up on the application and receive notification of residence issuance, followed by delivery of the Emirates ID card.

An institution-sponsored student may remain in the UAE for 180 days after completing the study period.

• Issuing Residency Permiticp.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
• Issuing a residency permit to a studentgdrfad.gov.aeOfficial

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.