Golden Visa for High School Graduates
Golden Visa for Top Students | How to Apply in 2025 To secure a UAE Golden Visa for students in 2025, meet the eligibility criteria, prepare documents, and apply via platforms like the UAEICP app or GDRFA portal. High school students need a 95% score and a Ministry of Education recommendation. University graduates require a 3.5 GPA (top 100 global universities) or 3.5/3.8 (A/B-class UAE universities) within two years of graduation. Submit attested degrees, passport copies, and a Dubai residence permit (if needed), pay fees (AED 2,800–5,000), complete medical tests, and get an Emirates ID. Use UAE Pass for a smooth process. What Is a UAE Golden Visa for Students? After completing my schooling at a private school in Abu Dhabi in 2024 and achieving a 96% score, I was eager to continue living in the UAE. The UAE Golden Visa for students allowed me to do just that. This long-term residency program permits students to live, study, and work in the UAE for 5 to 10 years. Unlike the traditional sponsor-reliant student visa in UAE, this Golden Residence Permit provides unrivalled flexibility, freedom, and convenience, which is ideal for high-achieving students globally and top students in UAE. The Golden Visa program is aimed at acquiring exceptional talents and comes with certain perks. As a school topper or a student from renowned top 100 universities, this visa allows you to live in Dubai, which is famous for company formation in Dubai. Applications are supervised by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), which ensures a streamlined process using channels such as the UAEICP app. Why Is the UAE Golden Visa a Game-Changer for Students? For me, seizing the opportunity to obtain a UAE Golden Visa was a no-brainer. From my perspective, it is a life-transforming experience. As a student, I could work part-time, sponsor my family, and even look into the business setup in UAE, all without the burden of visa regulations. Here is what makes it unique for remarkable students in the UAE: No Sponsor Needed: Unlike the usual student residency in UAE, you are independent. Family Sponsorship: Invite your parents, partner, or children and bring them to the UAE. Job Flexibility: Accept employment or work in a business setup in Dubai while studying. Long-term stability: Apply for a 5 or 10-year residency permit, renewable. Travel Freedom: Stay outside the country for more than 6 months and still retain your visa. The visa benefits align with the UAE’s vision to be a hotspot for innovation and talent. A friend used his university graduate visa to join a tech firm, leveraging business setup consultant in Dubai services to network. This visa is your launchpad. Who Is Eligible for a UAE Golden Visa in 2025? The requirements for the UAE Golden Visa for students are tough, though well-defined. You require exceptional grades and the right paperwork. So, let’s explore the visa eligibility criteria for each segment. High School Students: Achieving 95%+ As a high school student, you need to be a national-level topper. Here’s what I did: Achieve at least 95% in your secondary school certificate, whether from a public or private institution. Obtain a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education or Emirates Schools Establishment. Submit attested documents (like CBSE and A-levels) through SPEA attestation (Sharjah) or KHDA attestation (Dubai). Present a passport and, for Dubai residents, a copy of their residence permit issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). The high school graduate visa is valid for 5 years but can be extended for longer-term courses such as engineering. I got my approval quickly because of my score of 96% and my document submission. UAE University Graduates: A/B-Class Requirements For UAE university graduates, your university must be A or B-class as per the Ministry of Education stipulations. Here’s what you need: A bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctoral degree within two years of graduation. A cumulative average of 3.5 (A-class) or 3.8 (B-class) on your academic transcript. An attested degree and recommendation letter from your university. A valid passport and, if in Dubai, a Dubai residence permit. Locate the UAE Golden Visa university list through your university’s website or administrative office. A classmate at an A-class university received his graduate visa with a 3.6 GPA. International Graduates: Top 100 Universities For graduates outside the UAE, your university must be one of the top 100 ranked universities per the international classification by the Ministry of Education. Requirements include: A bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctoral degree with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Completion within two years. An attested degree and equivalency certificate from the Ministry of Education. A passport with more than 6 months validity and, if relevant, a Dubai residence permit. Steps for How to Apply for UAE Golden Visa as a Student? Obtaining the UAE Golden Visa was a bit challenging until I used the UAEICP app and GDRFA platform. I could not believe my golden residence nomination was accepted in two days! I have provided a mini guide below, hope you find it useful. Step 1: Confirm Eligibility: Check your eligibility using either the GDRFA website or the UAEICP app for a minimum of 95% in high school and a GPA of 3.5/3.8 in universities. Step 2: Request ICP Nomination: Login to the UAEICP app using UAE Pass and go to “Visa – Golden Residence – Nomination Request.” Document upload is needed. Expect to hear back in 1-3 days. Step 3: Residency Request Submission: After applying for ICP nomination, submit an application via the GDRFA site for Dubai or UAEICP app for other emirates. GDRFA has a file size limit of 500 KB. Step 4: Visa Cancellation (if applicable): To alter visa status, visit the Amer Service Centre or Customer Happiness Centre. I went to Al Nahda and paid AED 200. Step 5: Medical Examination: Booked a medical examination at MOH centers for blood and X-rays. It cost me AED 350 and required 2 hours. Step 6: