Immigration Services

Students from abroad who wish to study in Dubai need to hold a student visa.  In order to apply for a visa you need to contact your university administration who will handle the visa application on your behalf.

Once you have provided all of the necessary documents to your university, these documents will be sent to Student Hub at DIAC. Once approved, these documents will be sent back to your university to send to Government Services Operations Department.

General Student Visa Guidelines:

• Student visas can only be issued to students enrolled in a licensed university located in DIAC or DKV.

To be eligible you must:

• Be a full-time student.
• Be under the age of 25 if studying an undergraduate program or course. For postgraduate students there is no age barrier.
• Be enrolled in a program by a DIAC university located in DIAC or DKV.
• Supply proof of funds equivalent to AED 30,000
• The Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority is the sponsor of all foreign students enrolling at DIAC Academic Institutions. Such Visa Sponsorship is only available for full-time students enrolled in Undergraduate or Postgraduate programs.
• Procedures for sponsorship cannot start until the student has provided necessary documentation and paid all relevant fees in full.
• Student visas are renewable provided the student is enrolled full-time with passing grades.
• Students on student visas are not permitted to work.
• All student visas need to be cancelled by the university upon completion of studies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are visa processes and documents needed the same for every country?

Yes, they are the same for every country. Please refer to the general check list in the introduction for the list of documents needed or refer to your university for necessary documentation.

How much does it cost to get a visa?

A student visa cost can range from AED 800 to AED 2100 depending on the type of service required (i.e. Normal Application, Urgent Application, Express Application). Please click here for details on cost structure.

When applying for a student visa, a student is given a blood test. What is tested?

The blood test has to be done for visa stamping purpose and the following tests are carried out.

• HIV ½ ABS-
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
• Tuberculosis (X-Ray)*

*The X-ray will not be required in the case of a visa Renewal.

If a student tests positive or if other concerns are found in his/her blood, what could the consequences be?

In the case of HIV, the test will be repeated two times for confirmation from Welcare Clinic at DKV Branch and finally it will be tested a third time from Germany (Western Blot Test). Once it is re-confirmed, the student should be admitted to Al Baraha Hospital in HIV cell for government medical exams. If it is confirmed once more as “HIV confirmed” and he/ she will be deported after the cancellation of the visa (along with being black listed in Immigration Department).

What sort of medical coverage does a student visa have?

Unfortunately, Government Services Operations (GSO) does not provide any medical coverage.   

Why are my grades and attendance in school so important when applying for a visa?

Grades are required in order to ensure that the student is in regular attendance at the university and is not in any way misusing their student visa status.

How can Student Hub at DIAC assist in acquiring visas for students?

Student Hub needs to check through essential information including program of study (that has to be full-time), undergraduate (age needs to be under twenty five) post graduate, sufficient funds, grades from previous years, etc. and then sends over to the universities which in turn send to our Government Services Department who check the documents and issue the visas.

Can Student Hub assist in taking the documents to Dubai Media City (DMC) Building 14 for processing?

Unfortunately Student Hub cannot, however once you are in DIAC there is a one-stop-shop where student visas are processed. Once in DIAC you will not need to apply at DMC Building14 as all university applications (for staff and students alike) are accepted at the DIAC Student Hub office in Block 6. Please click here for the Application Form.

In what case does a visa get rejected? Are there any nationalities that get a lot of visa rejections?

Visas are only rejected when there is incomplete/unsatisfactory documentation provided or on medical grounds.  In extreme occasions when the government issues a security alert for a particular nationality, all visas are rejected, until the alert is lifted.

What is the time frame for students to get their visas?

Student Hub: 2 working days
Government Services Operations: Please refer to the following table

Does a non-GCC student holding GCC resident visa need a residence visa in UAE?

Yes, the student still needs to apply for a student visa in the UAE.

Can a Student on a student visa sponsor his/her family or sponsor someone on a visit visa?

No, unfortunately a person on a student visa cannot sponsor any other person.

Can a student’s visa be extended for any reason whatsoever?

No, a student’s visa cannot be extended for any reason not even the student’s graduation.

If the student leaves the country without cancelling his/her visa, what are the consequences?

If the student visa expires automatically without it being formally cancelled on the passport, heavy penalties can be levied on the university. At the same time restrictions may be imposed on the student from re-entry.

Who should the students contact if they have any questions or visa queries?

Students are not permitted to raise queries directly. This is done through the PRO or the university representative. Please click here for more information.

There are two stages of approval for a student visa application:

Stage 1 - Approval from Student Hub
Stage 2 - Approval from GSO

When preparing the visa application, you will need the following documentation for Student Hub approval:

• Completed Visa Application Form
• Student Enrollment Contract signed by the student and the university
• Letter of Admission (including a formal visa request)
• 1 Passport copy
• Copy of Bank Statements (equivalent to AED 30,000)

*Note: Bank Statements should be on bank letter head paper with official bank stamp. Internet bank statements are not permitted without the official bank stamp

• Copy of academic transcripts
• Copy of tuition fee receipt

Please click here for a list of the documnetation required for the 'Student Package'.