Student Residence Visa
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates visas · Study
What it is
Annual residence visa for foreign students enrolled at UAE-accredited universities or educational institutions. Sponsored by the institution or a parent who is a UAE resident.
Key facts
- Category
- Study
- Duration
- 1 year (renewable annually for course duration)
- Processing time
- 2 days
- Extendable
- Yes
- Dependants
- Conditional
- How to apply
- Online
- Health insurance
- Required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (ICP federal: entry-permit application fee)
- AED 100
- Application fee (ICP federal: entry-permit issuance fee)
- AED 100
- Application fee (ICP federal: smart services fee on entry permit)
- AED 100
- Application fee (ICP federal: residence-permit application fee)
- AED 100
- Application fee (ICP federal: residence permit, per year of validity)
- AED 100 per year
- Application fee (ICP federal: smart services fee on residence permit)
- AED 100
- Application fee (ICP: status adjustment, applying without leaving UAE)
- AED 500
- Application fee (ICP: financial security deposit fee)
- AED 20
- Application fee (GDRFA Dubai: residence permit fee)
- AED 200
- Application fee (GDRFA Dubai: Knowledge Dirham surcharge)
- AED 10
- Application fee (GDRFA Dubai: Innovation Dirham surcharge)
- AED 10
- Application fee (GDRFA Dubai: fee inside the country)
- AED 500
- Application fee (GDRFA Dubai: delivery fee)
- AED 20
- Application fee (GDRFA Dubai: uplift per year beyond two years)
- AED 100 per year
Key requirements
- Unconditional offer letter from an accredited UAE university/college
- Valid passport with 6+ months validity
- Proof of funds to cover tuition and living costs
- English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE)
- Medical fitness test
- Health insurance
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 4 August 2026.