19 May 2025, 05:38 PM
Step-by-step Guide on UAE Student Visa Application
The UAE student visa journey is easy when you know how to proceed with it. For your easy understanding, here is a step-by-step detailed guide.
Step 1- Secure Admission
To apply for a UAE student visa, you must first secure admission to a recognised university or college in the UAE. Since the UAE student visa is sponsored—and students cannot apply independently—the process is typically initiated by the university on the student’s behalf. Once your admission is confirmed and you’ve received your offer letter, the university will coordinate with you to begin your student visa application.
Note: To secure admission to your dream university in the UAE, here’s everything you’ll need.
Completed application form
Academic transcript and certificates
Passport copy
English proficiency test score (If your English scores aren’t exceptional)
Passport-sized photographs
Customised Statement of Purpose (If applying to more than one university
Step 2- A Medical Fitness Test
If you’re planning to apply for a UAE student visa, undergoing a medical fitness test is mandatory. Whether you’re still waiting for your university acceptance letter or have already received it, make sure to complete a full body check-up in advance.
This step is essential and cannot be skipped. The medical test typically includes a blood test and a chest X-ray to check for any infectious diseases or health concerns.
Passing this test is a key requirement for obtaining your UAE residence visa. Unfortunately, failing the medical fitness test could result in your visa being denied.
Step 3- Choose Your Sponsor
The UAE student visa process is a little different from the rest of the world. To study in the UAE, you cannot sponsor your own student visa.
In simple terms, this means someone else will assist you in filing your student visa application. While this could be a third-party agent or another representative, in most cases it is the university itself.
Once you have secured admission to a well-recognised UAE university, the university’s admissions team will take the lead in starting your student visa process.
The two most common type of study visa sponsorships to study in UAE are:
The university or educational institution (most common)
A parent or guardian (if they reside in the UAE)
International students who are coming for a full-time degree in the UAE go for university-sponsored visa.
Step 4- Gather Required Documents
It doesn’t matter who is sponsoring your UAE study visa. If you are filing for a visa, you must have a pile of documents handy with you at all the time. This list of documents that are required commonly are:
Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
Passport-sized photos with a white background
Admission letter from a UAE university
Proof of tuition fee payment
Accommodation details (may require)
Financial proof
Academic transcripts
Medical fitness certificate
NOTE- Make sure to scan all the documents clearly and in colour as most university may verify the documents before submission.
Step 5- Applying Through Official Portal
While this is not on your part, you must ensure to have adequate information on the same.
Once you have gathered all the documents and shared it with your university, they will submit them all through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). This is the official authority that issues UAE visas.
The documents that your sponsors will submit includes the following;
Completed visa application form
All the documents mentioned above
Medical test result
UAE student visa fees and Emirates ID fee
As this is an online process, with the credentials, even you can see the status of your student visa.
Step 6- Pay the Visa Fees
Yes! Although your sponsor will handle the application process, the payment will still be your responsibility. The UAE student visa fees typically range from AED 7,000 to AED 15,000 approx. for a one-year residence visa for Indian and other international students. These charges generally cover:
Application fees
Medical test charges
Emirates ID fee
Insurance
NOTE- Check with your university to know the exact cost and the breakdown of it.
Step 7- Receive Entry Permit
Before you get your visa to study in UAE, you will get an eVisa, which is more like an entry permit to the UAE. This document allows you to legally entre the UAE and is usually valid for 60 days.
If; however, you are already in the UAE on some other visa, it can be converted into the eVisa for studies by your university internally.
Step 8- Emirates ID Registration and Visa Stamping
Once you have arrived in the UAE, your visa process doesn’t only end there. After arriving in the UAE with your entry permit, you must complete the following steps.
Emirates ID Registration: This is the mandatory identification card offered by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship in the UAE. This card serves as a proof of identity and is essential for accessing government services. It is a biometric process analysing your fingerprint and photo. The validity of this card matches your visa duration (usually 1 year).
Visa Stamping: This is the final step that completes your UAE student visa process. Your residence visa will be stamped inside your passport, confirming your legal stay as a student in the UAE.
Step 9- Visa Renewal
This step is for the next year!
Every student visa to study in UAE is valid for only 1 year. This means you have to get your student visa renewed every year based on your enrolment.
To get your visa renewed, here’s all you need to submit for the same;
Updated enrolment letter
Pay renewal fees
Redo medical test (if required)
Renew Emirates ID
NOTE- Start the renewal process 30-45 days prior to the expiration date of your visa to avoid any late charges, fines, or interruptions in your studies.
The UAE student visa journey is easy when you know how to proceed with it. For your easy understanding, here is a step-by-step detailed guide.
Step 1- Secure Admission
To apply for a UAE student visa, you must first secure admission to a recognised university or college in the UAE. Since the UAE student visa is sponsored—and students cannot apply independently—the process is typically initiated by the university on the student’s behalf. Once your admission is confirmed and you’ve received your offer letter, the university will coordinate with you to begin your student visa application.
Note: To secure admission to your dream university in the UAE, here’s everything you’ll need.
Completed application form
Academic transcript and certificates
Passport copy
English proficiency test score (If your English scores aren’t exceptional)
Passport-sized photographs
Customised Statement of Purpose (If applying to more than one university
Step 2- A Medical Fitness Test
If you’re planning to apply for a UAE student visa, undergoing a medical fitness test is mandatory. Whether you’re still waiting for your university acceptance letter or have already received it, make sure to complete a full body check-up in advance.
This step is essential and cannot be skipped. The medical test typically includes a blood test and a chest X-ray to check for any infectious diseases or health concerns.
Passing this test is a key requirement for obtaining your UAE residence visa. Unfortunately, failing the medical fitness test could result in your visa being denied.
Step 3- Choose Your Sponsor
The UAE student visa process is a little different from the rest of the world. To study in the UAE, you cannot sponsor your own student visa.
In simple terms, this means someone else will assist you in filing your student visa application. While this could be a third-party agent or another representative, in most cases it is the university itself.
Once you have secured admission to a well-recognised UAE university, the university’s admissions team will take the lead in starting your student visa process.
The two most common type of study visa sponsorships to study in UAE are:
The university or educational institution (most common)
A parent or guardian (if they reside in the UAE)
International students who are coming for a full-time degree in the UAE go for university-sponsored visa.
Step 4- Gather Required Documents
It doesn’t matter who is sponsoring your UAE study visa. If you are filing for a visa, you must have a pile of documents handy with you at all the time. This list of documents that are required commonly are:
Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
Passport-sized photos with a white background
Admission letter from a UAE university
Proof of tuition fee payment
Accommodation details (may require)
Financial proof
Academic transcripts
Medical fitness certificate
NOTE- Make sure to scan all the documents clearly and in colour as most university may verify the documents before submission.
Step 5- Applying Through Official Portal
While this is not on your part, you must ensure to have adequate information on the same.
Once you have gathered all the documents and shared it with your university, they will submit them all through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). This is the official authority that issues UAE visas.
The documents that your sponsors will submit includes the following;
Completed visa application form
All the documents mentioned above
Medical test result
UAE student visa fees and Emirates ID fee
As this is an online process, with the credentials, even you can see the status of your student visa.
Step 6- Pay the Visa Fees
Yes! Although your sponsor will handle the application process, the payment will still be your responsibility. The UAE student visa fees typically range from AED 7,000 to AED 15,000 approx. for a one-year residence visa for Indian and other international students. These charges generally cover:
Application fees
Medical test charges
Emirates ID fee
Insurance
NOTE- Check with your university to know the exact cost and the breakdown of it.
Step 7- Receive Entry Permit
Before you get your visa to study in UAE, you will get an eVisa, which is more like an entry permit to the UAE. This document allows you to legally entre the UAE and is usually valid for 60 days.
If; however, you are already in the UAE on some other visa, it can be converted into the eVisa for studies by your university internally.
Step 8- Emirates ID Registration and Visa Stamping
Once you have arrived in the UAE, your visa process doesn’t only end there. After arriving in the UAE with your entry permit, you must complete the following steps.
Emirates ID Registration: This is the mandatory identification card offered by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship in the UAE. This card serves as a proof of identity and is essential for accessing government services. It is a biometric process analysing your fingerprint and photo. The validity of this card matches your visa duration (usually 1 year).
Visa Stamping: This is the final step that completes your UAE student visa process. Your residence visa will be stamped inside your passport, confirming your legal stay as a student in the UAE.
Step 9- Visa Renewal
This step is for the next year!
Every student visa to study in UAE is valid for only 1 year. This means you have to get your student visa renewed every year based on your enrolment.
To get your visa renewed, here’s all you need to submit for the same;
Updated enrolment letter
Pay renewal fees
Redo medical test (if required)
Renew Emirates ID
NOTE- Start the renewal process 30-45 days prior to the expiration date of your visa to avoid any late charges, fines, or interruptions in your studies.