UAE Student Visa application process:
Apart from being a safe, friendly and harmonious country, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has some of the best universities in the Gulf region. The UAE has high standards in academic studies and holds international reputation for excellence in all areas of education and training. A student visa to the UAE allows students from all around the world to pursue their respective field of study.
Eligibility for UAE Student visa for Indians
A student’s visa is for a university or a college student studying in the UAE. Student visa allows expatriate students who are residing in the UAE under the sponsorship of their parents or relatives, or to foreign international students who come from abroad to join one of the higher educational institutes in the UAE. It is advisable to go through the Dubai Visa rules and regulations for the applicants to avoid further errors in future. Admission in one of the UAE universities does not guarantee the issuance of a Student visa. Visa issuance is subject to certain requirements, which includes passing a medical fitness test, a security check and the approval of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in the respective emirate. These are the available channels to apply for a student visa in the UAE. Male students over the age 18 can remain on their parent’s residence visa sponsorship. They must provide an evidence of attendance of minimum one year at a higher educational institute. Expatriate parents may continue to sponsor their female children for study, regardless of their child’s age.
Validity and Visa Renewal
Student Residence Visas are normally only valid for 1 year at a time, renewed each year during the study program. Currently, a student’s visa is renewable for a similar period of 1 year. The relevant higher educational institute in the UAE where the student is studying issues an official proof of continuation of a study. If a student stays out of the UAE for longer than six months, their student residence visa becomes invalid. The students cannot enter the UAE until they cancel the previous visa and issue a new one. Usually the sponsor will report the visa holder to the immigration authorities.
Documents required
Passport with at least 6 months validity, the passport must have two blank visa pages (one to endorse the visa and one for entry stamps)
Photographs (about 12)
Passport copies (about 2 copies)
Upon arrival, passport copies with entry visa to the UAE (about 3 copies)
Evidence of acceptance to a UAE tertiary institute (offer letter)
Possibly bank statements showing evidence of funds in the UAE
Possibly a tenancy agreement (or letter from university if staying in university accommodation)
Copy of tuition fee receipt for the current study year of the program
Copy of visa fees receipt for the current study year of the program
Post-graduate students will need to have their undergraduate degree attested
Application process details
The top universities of the UAE themselves facilitate international Student Visa. Students can directly send their documents to the university. Once the university sends you the offer letter for the program and you accept it, it will initiate the Visa application process. Ideally, the student visa process should start at least 1–2 months prior to the beginning of the semester. This helps students with ample amount of time to prepare for other aspects of the departure checklist. It usually takes around 15–20 days for the visa to be processed, however, that depends from university to university. International students also have the option of choosing express processing, which costs more than normal processing. Under express processing, students can get the UAE Students Visa within 10 days.
Collaboration With Following Colleges in Dubai
