Question: I wish to come to the UAE to pursue higher education. Could you please take me through the visa duration/formalities? Also, can I bring my mother on any type of visa so that she can stay with me?
To study in the UAE, students must first secure admission to a university or educational institution. They then need to apply for a residency visa by providing documents such as an official admission letter, passport, medical fitness test report, Emirates ID application, biometrics, and health insurance. The visa will be issued by either the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai or the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, depending on where you are applying.
Typically, student visas are valid for one year and can be renewed if the student continues their education. If a student is able to provide proof of their own accommodation, finances, and health insurance, they can sponsor their parents to come to the UAE.
For those with exceptional academic records, there is the option to apply for a 10-year Golden Visa. This visa requires a recommendation letter from the university, or a certificate showing a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.8. With the Golden Visa, students can sponsor their parents to come to the UAE as well.
For more information on obtaining a student visa or the Golden Visa, students can reach out to their intended university, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, or the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.