For many families the UAE is a destination for their children's education, whether a short training course or several years at university. Before enrolling, it is worth knowing which type of visa or residence suits your plan. This article is based on the "Residence visa for studying in the UAE" page of the official UAE Government portal (`u.ae`) and two service pages of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA): "Issuing a residency permit to a student" and "Issuing a visit visa for the purpose of study, training or rehabilitation". These sources were checked on 25 October 2026.
The three routes at a glance
| Route | Who is the sponsor | Suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Study or training visit visa | A licensed university, institute, or educational or research institution | Short courses of up to 180 days |
| Student residence | An accredited university, college, or educational or research institution | Long-term study |
| Parent sponsorship | A parent resident in the UAE | Children living with their family in the UAE |
Top students and graduates can also obtain a golden residence; see the golden residence groups in the article "UAE Golden Residency: an overview".
Route one: the study or training visit visa
GDRFA issues this visa for a single entry and for 30, 60 or 180 days. Documents: one personal photo, a passport copy valid for at least 6 months, and a letter from the educational entity including the study or training programme and its duration.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 30-day visa | AED 200 plus 5% value added tax |
| 60-day visa | AED 300 plus 5% tax |
| 180-day visa | AED 400 plus 5% tax |
| Financial guarantee | AED 1,000 |
| Guarantee service fee | AED 20 |
| Guarantee collection and return fee | AED 40 |
| If the applicant is inside the country | AED 10 + 10 + 500 |
The service takes 48 hours. Among its related services GDRFA also lists "Extending a visit visa for the purpose of study, training or rehabilitation".
Route two: the student residence sponsored by the institution
A foreign student enrolled at an accredited university, college, or educational or research institution in the UAE receives a residence permit without work, and the institution becomes their host and sponsor.
| Subject | Official rule |
|---|---|
| Institution condition | A licence to operate in the UAE and the approval of the Ministry of Education or the emirate's competent educational authority |
| Documents | A recent colour photo with a white background, passport copy, approved medical examination, Emirates ID application receipt, health insurance |
| Study certificate | The UAE Government portal asks for a certificate from the university or institute stating the study duration |
| Time | 48 hours |
| Grace period after the residence ends or is cancelled | 60 days |
| Fee item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Residence permit | AED 200 |
| Knowledge and innovation dirhams | AED 10 + 10 |
| In-country fee | AED 500 |
| Delivery | AED 20 |
| Fee increase | AED 100 for each year of residence beyond two years |
Route three: parent sponsorship
| Child | UAE Government portal rule |
|---|---|
| Son | Up to age 25; after that too, if he shows he is studying at a higher education institution |
| Daughter | For study, with no age limit until she marries |
The UAE Government portal says family members of foreign students at UAE universities may also stay in the UAE, provided they can afford suitable housing. See family sponsorship in the article "Family residence in the UAE".
Two examples
These examples are hypothetical and only put the official fees and rules above side by side.
Example 1: a 3-month training course. The course lasts 90 days; a 60-day visa is not enough, and the 180-day visa is needed.
| Item | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 180-day visa | 400 × 1.05 | AED 420 |
| Guarantee and its fees | 1,000 + 20 + 40 | AED 1,060 |
| Total from outside the UAE | 420 + 1,060 | AED 1,480 |
Ask about the conditions for refunding the guarantee when paying.
Example 2: a 19-year-old son starting a bachelor's degree in Dubai. His father is resident in Dubai. He has two routes: his father's sponsorship, possible up to age 25 and after that with a certificate of higher education study, or a student residence sponsored by the university. If he chooses university sponsorship for a two-year residence from inside the country:
| Item | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Residence permit | — | AED 200 |
| Knowledge and innovation dirhams | 10 + 10 | AED 20 |
| In-country fee and delivery | 500 + 20 | AED 520 |
| Total | — | AED 740 |
The medical examination, Emirates ID and health insurance are separate. The length of the student residence is set by the university and GDRFA; the figure above is an estimate.
Practical points
- Before enrolling, make sure the institution has a licence and the approval of the Ministry of Education or the emirate's educational authority.
- Choose the visa length based on the actual length of the course.
- Prepare health insurance and the medical examination for the student residence.
- Attest earlier educational documents; see the article "Attesting foreign documents for the UAE".
- If your son is over 25, prepare a certificate of higher education study to continue the sponsorship.
Royal Golden does not give legal, immigration or educational advice. This article is general information, and the decision on any visa and residence rests with the official UAE authorities.
Sources
- UAE Government portal, Residence visa for studying in the UAE — https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Types-of-visas/residence-visa-for-studying-in-the-uae (checked on 25 October 2026)
- General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA), Issuing a residency permit to a student — https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/f52024e0-b812-11ed-5210-4cd98f768936 (checked on 25 October 2026)
- General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA), Issuing a visit visa for the purpose of study, training or rehabilitation — https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/d551ce8d-52e8-11ea-0320-0050569629e8 (checked on 25 October 2026)