How to Get a Golden Visa for Students in UAE
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: Health Insurance:
Obtain from Daman insurance or similar for AED 2700 for a two-year plan.
Step 7: Submit Fingerprints (if required):
Book fingerprinting appointments at ICA centres through the UAEICP app.
Step 8: Apply for Emirates ID:
Submit an application for an Emirates ID using the UAEICP app. Mine was delivered through Zajel in 7 days.
Step 9: Receive Your Visa:
Your Golden Visa can be viewed digitally on the UAEICP app, and your Emirates ID can be collected.
Essential Documents for Your Application
Here’s what I submitted for my high school graduate visa:
- Coloured photo (white background).
- Passport copy (6+ months validity).
- Attested certificates (e.g., CBSE via KHDA attestation).
- Equivalency certificate (via MOE UAE app, AED 60).
- Recommendation letter (English and Arabic translations).
- A visa copy and an Emirates ID copy are required (if applicable).
- ICP nomination approval (for GDRFA).
- Affidavit (optional, boosts profile).
Tips for a Smooth Application Process
- Use UAE Pass: It’s your key to the UAEICP app, GDRFA platform, and MOE UAE app.
- Compress Files: GDRFA limits uploads to 500 KB. Use online tools to shrink PDFs.
- Apply Early: MOFA attestation or equivalency certificate can take 5–10 days.
- Track Progress: Check the status of the visa application process on the UAEICP app.
- Visit Amer Centres: Centres like Al Nahda are efficient for visa cancellation or document queries.
How Much Does a UAE Golden Visa for Students Cost?
The visa application fees depend on your visa type. Here’s what I paid, plus 2025 estimates:
| Visa Type | Residency Fees | ID Fees | Additional Costs |
| 5-Year Golden Visa | AED 2,300 | AED 600 | Attestation: AED 250, Medical: AED 350 |
| 10-Year Golden Visa | AED 2,800 | AED 1,100 | Equivalency: AED 60, Visa Cancel: AED 200 |
Other fees:
- Knowledge dirham: AED 10.
- Innovation dirham: AED 10.
- ICP nomination: AED 150–200.
- Zajel delivery: AED 25.
- Emirates ID: AED 1,150–1,200.
- Health insurance UAE: AED 500–1,000 (2 years).
My total was AED 4,950, but costs can hit AED 5,000 with extras like SPEA attestation. Fees may rise slightly in 2025, so budget accordingly.
What Benefits Does a UAE Golden Visa Offer Students?
The Golden Visa gave me wings. I worked at a startup exploring a business setup in Dubai, sponsored my sister, and planned my bachelor’s in the UAE. Here’s what you gain:
- Freedom: No sponsor means you own your student residency in UAE.
- Family Sponsorship: Sponsor parents, spouses, or kids with simple visa requirements.
- Career Boost: Work in Dubai’s thriving market or start a company formation in Dubai.
- Stability: 5 or 10 years of long-term residency in UAE let you plan ahead.
- Travel Perks: Stay abroad for over 6 months without visa issues.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
My UAE Golden Visa journey wasn’t perfect. Here’s how I tackled hurdles:
- Attestation Delays: KHDA attestation took 5 days. Solution: Apply early via the MOE UAE app.
- GPA Concerns: If your GPA is below 3.5/3.8, check if your university is ICP-exempt. Contact Amer Service Centre for clarity.
- Visa Fines: Pay fines during visa status change via the UAEICP app. My friend cleared AED 600 in minutes.
- Document Rejections: My equivalency certificate was rejected due to a missing stamp. Solution: Double-check application documents with a business setup consultant in Dubai.
- Processing Time: Medical examination test results took 2 days. Book early at MOH centres.
Frequently Asked Questions About the UAE Golden Visa for Students
Q1: What Is the UAE Golden Visa for Students?
The UAE Golden Visa for students is a long-term residency UAE program for top graduates UAE and international students UAE, offering 5 or 10 years of residency without a sponsor.
Q2: How Long Does the Visa Application Process Take?
My visa application process took 10 days, including ICP nomination (2 days), medical test UAE (2 days), and Emirates ID (5 days). Expect 7–14 days total.
Q3: What If I Miss the 2-Year Graduation Window?
If you have over 2 years since graduation, you’re ineligible unless ICP grants an exception. Contact Amer Service Centre or the GDRFA platform.
Q4: Can I Apply Without a Dubai Residency?
Yes, use the UAEICP app for non-Dubai visas. Dubai residents apply via the GDRFA website or Customer Happiness Centre.
Q5: How do you Appeal a Rejected Application?
Reapply via the UAEICP app after fixing issues (e.g., missing attested degree). Visit Amer Service Centre for appeal guidance.
Q5:Can I Sponsor Family Members?
Yes, family sponsorship covers parents, spouses, or kids. Submit their visa requirements via UAEICP app.
Conclusion: Launch Your UAE Journey with a Golden Visa
Securing a UAE Golden Visa for students in 2025 was my smartest move. From my 96% high school score to holding my Emirates ID delivered by Zajel, the process was worth every effort. Whether you’re a high school graduate visa holder, a UAE university graduate, or an international student in UAE, this Golden Visa UAE offers a world of opportunity. Log into the UAEICP app with UAE Pass, gather your attested certificates, and start your visa application process now. With thriving business setups in Dubai, your future in the UAE is limitless!
Apply today at icp.gov.ae or gdrfa.ae!
