Eligibility criteria, documents required, top universities, and how to apply for the UAE’s prestigious 10-year residency visa for high-achieving students
The UAE Golden Visa is a key part of the country’s strategy to attract top global talent, especially in priority sectors like science, healthcare, and technology. For students, the visa offers a 10-year renewable residency with a focus on high-achieving graduates from globally and nationally ranked institutions. This long-term residency program is designed to support the UAE’s vision of becoming a global hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and knowledge-based industries, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
The Golden Visa permits foreign nationals to live, study, and work in the UAE without needing a national sponsor. It’s valid for 10 years and is renewable. The visa covers the applicant and their dependents, creating long-term stability for individuals and families.
This special student category targets graduates from top global or UAE-based institutions with strong academic records, ensuring the nation retains and attracts individuals who can contribute meaningfully to national development goals.
The UAE Golden Visa allows high-performing students in fields like AI, biotechnology, and engineering to live, study, and work in the UAE for 10 years—without a national sponsor.
UAE GOLDEN VISA: STUDENT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants must hold a degree in one of the UAE’s strategic academic fields. These include:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Big Data
- Epidemiology and Virology
- Computer Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Biotechnology Engineering
- Genetics and Molecular Engineering
Additional academic requirements:
- A minimum GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Degree from a top 100 global university or top 100 UAE university
ABU DHABI-SPECIFIC GOLDEN VISA OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS
For High School Graduates (10-Year Visa):
- Must be a UAE high school graduate (public or private)
- Final grade of 95% or above
- Documents: Attested Grade 12 certificate, Ministry of Education recommendation (auto-generated), or ADEK nomination
- Apply through: https://icp.gov.ae or Abu Dhabi Residents Office
For University Graduates in UAE (10-Year Visa):
- Must hold a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD from a UAE-accredited university
- University rating: A-rated (GPA 3.5+) or B-rated (GPA 3.8+)
- Graduation must be within the past 2 years
- Documents: Attested degree, official transcripts, international degree equivalency certificate
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR STUDENT GOLDEN VISA APPLICANTS
- Attested graduation certificate
- Academic transcripts with GPA
- Letter of recommendation from university
- Arabic translation for any foreign-language documents
TOP 10 GLOBAL UNIVERSITIES RECOGNISED FOR GOLDEN VISA ELIGIBILITY
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA
- Stanford University, USA
- Harvard University, USA
- University of Oxford, UK
- University of Cambridge, UK
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech), USA
- ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Imperial College London, UK
- University College London (UCL), UK
- University of Chicago, USA
Graduates from these institutions—especially in the highlighted STEM and healthcare fields—stand a strong chance of Golden Visa approval.
GOLDEN VISA BENEFITS: WHY IT’S MORE THAN A RESIDENCY
- 10-year renewable visa
- No national sponsor required
- Family sponsorship allowed
- Work, live, and study freely in the UAE
- Access to jobs, business licenses, and investment opportunities
UAE UNIVERSITY GRADUATES ALSO ELIGIBLE
Students graduating from local UAE universities are also eligible, provided they meet the GPA (3.5 or higher) and institutional ranking requirements. This inclusion helps retain homegrown talent, further enriching the UAE’s academic and innovation ecosystem.
