How student residence works
International students who want to live in the UAE while they study need a residence visa. The official government portal explains that a student can stay either under the sponsorship of a parent who is a resident of the UAE, or under the sponsorship of the accredited university or college they study at.
That means the process depends on your situation. If your parent lives in the UAE, family sponsorship may be the simplest route. If not, you need to ask your institution whether it sponsors student visas and what it expects from you.
Sponsorship by a parent
Expatriate residents can sponsor their male children up to the age of 25. Sons over 25 may remain under a parent's sponsorship if they provide evidence that they are attending a higher educational institute. Parents may continue to sponsor their female children for study, regardless of age, until they are married.
The family of foreign students may stay in the UAE as long as they can afford suitable housing. If the age rules affect your family, check the details with the visa authority before you enrol.
Sponsorship by the university
If the institution sponsors you, the university or college handles the application through its own process. Ask the admissions office early about the steps and the cost, and when you should arrive. Some institutions give clear instructions to international students, and others expect you to ask.
Make sure the institution is accredited, because the portal refers to an accredited university or college.
Documents
You must submit a certificate from the university or institute stating the length of study. You must also meet the general provisions for residence visas.
Under those general provisions, applicants aged 18 and above take a medical fitness test. Applicants also pass a security check and apply for an Emirates ID card. The Emirates ID expires when the visa expires.
The pages checked for this guide do not list fees, processing times or a step-by-step procedure for student visas. The portal refers applicants to the ICP service page and to university visa pages for application details.
Time outside the UAE
The general rule is that a residence visa is nullified automatically if the holder lives outside the UAE for more than 180 days continuously. The portal says some categories are exempt, including certain students. If you plan to spend long periods abroad, check whether the exemption applies to you before you travel.
Golden Visa for outstanding students
The government portal says the Golden Visa is issued to outstanding students. The ICP guide sets these tests:
- Secondary school students need a Grade 12 certificate from a licensed school with at least 95%, attested by the Ministry of Education.
- Graduates of international universities need a university in the world top 100, a minimum GPA of 3.5 for a bachelor's degree, and graduation within the last two years, attested.
- Graduates of UAE universities need a bachelor's, master's or doctorate from a licensed university in Category A with GPA 3.5 out of 4.0, or Category B with GPA 3.8 out of 4.0, and graduation within the last two years, attested.
The portal lists five years for high school achievers and ten years for top university students. See our guide to the Golden Visa for the other categories.
After your studies
A student visa does not give you the right to stay for work when your course ends. If you want to work in the UAE, you will need an employer who sponsors a work visa, or you may qualify for a jobseeker visit visa if you graduated from one of the top 500 universities in the last two years. See our guides on both routes.
Common mistakes
Do not assume the age limits are the same for every child. Do not wait until arrival to ask about the medical test and Emirates ID. Do not rely on an agent who guarantees a visa. And plan your housing, because the family of a student must show they can afford suitable housing.
Common questions
Who can sponsor a student?
A parent who is a resident of the UAE, or the accredited university or college the student attends.
Is there an age limit?
Resident parents can sponsor male children up to age 25, and older with evidence of higher education. Female children can be sponsored for study until they marry, whatever their age.
Is a medical test required?
Yes, for applicants aged 18 and above, under the general residence rules.
Can top students get a Golden Visa?
Yes. The portal says the Golden Visa is issued to outstanding students, with the grade and GPA tests set out in the ICP guide.
Can I work after I graduate?
You need a work visa from an employer, or you may qualify for a jobseeker visit visa. See our guides on both.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often. We last checked it on 31 October 2026, so please confirm the details on the official page before you apply.