How to Get a UAE Golden Visa for Students in 2025
In order to get a UAE Golden Visa as a student in 2025, there are steps to follow, including meeting specific requirements, collecting documents, and applying through relevant channels such as the UAEICP app or the GDRFA website. For high school students, it is important to achieve a minimum score of 95%, along with a recommendation letter from the Education Ministry. University graduates require a GPA of 3.5 from the top 100 global universities or 3.5/3.8 from A/B class UAE universities within two years of graduation. With the documents in order, the student’s certificate, passport copies, and Dubai residence permit are all submitted. There are also several fees ranging from AED 2,800 to 4,800. A medical test and Emirates ID are required as well. Utilizing the UAE Pass makes the process far more convenient.
What Is the UAE Golden Visa for Students?
Imagine this: you have a 95% certificate in hand as a Sharjah high school graduate and envisioning a future in Dubai’s economy. That’s where I was in 2024 when I applied for my UAE Golden Visa for students. The Golden Visa UAE is a long-term student visa that permits exceptional students to live, study, and work in the UAE for 5 or 10 years without any sponsoring required. It is designed to lure high-performing students and global talent with advantages like sponsoring family members and the ability to be outside the country for more than six months.
The Golden Residence Permit focuses on elite scholars, top students in the UAE, top graduates in the UAE, and international students in the UAE. Whether you are a national-level topper or graduated from a top 100-ranked university in the world, this long-term residency in UAE grants you limitless possibilities. As stated by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the visa is issued as part of the UAE’s strategy to enhance its reputation as an international education and innovation hub.
Why Should Students Apply for a UAE Golden Visa?
Well, for starters, I got a lot of freedom with the UAE Golden Visa. For instance, I didn’t need to be sponsored as a student; I could work part-time, and I was even able to sponsor my parents to live in Dubai with me. These are the fantastic benefits for exceptional students:
- No Sponsor Needed: Unlike a typical student residency in the UAE, this visa allows you complete autonomy.
- Family Sponsorship: You can also bring your parents, spouse, or children to the UAE.
- Work Rights: While studying, you can take on a job or even look into starting a business in Dubai.
- Long-Term Stability: You can stay for 5 or 10 years, and it’s renewable if you meet certain conditions.
- Global Flexibility: Travel overseas for more than six months, and your residency permit application will not be affected.
The UAE immigration framework makes this Golden Visa program a golden ticket for students like me, who want to build a career in a city known for company formation in Dubai and innovation.
Who Qualifies for the UAE Golden Visa for Students?
It is not as simple as applying for any student; you do need to be exceptional. Let’s go over the requirements for each category of students.
High School Students: National-Level Toppers
As a high school student, your eligibility criteria are being a national-level topper. Here is how I managed to qualify:
- Achieve a minimum of 95% in your secondary school certificate, regardless of whether you attended a public or private school.
- Acquire a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education or from the Emirates Schools Establishment.
- Credential verification of attested certificates like IGCSE and A-levels can be done through SPEA attestation in Sharjah or KHDA attestation in Dubai.
- As required, provide a passport and, if you are a Dubai resident, a copy of the residence permit issued by the relevant authority in Dubai.
While the visa is issued for 5 years, it can be extended for longer for certain courses like medicine, which take longer than 5 years. I was issued a high school graduate visa after scoring 95% in a British curriculum school in Sharjah.
UAE University Graduates: A-Class and B-Class
For graduates from UAE universities, the institution must be classified as A or B by the Ministry of Education. The conditions are as follows:
- Awarded a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree not more than 2 years ago.
- Have a cumulative average of 3.5 for A-class and 3.8 for B-class universities.
- Present attested documents, including the degree, academic transcript, and a recommendation letter from the university along with the passport.
- Dubai residents must submit a Dubai residence permit as well.
To check for eligibility, review the university list for the UAE Golden Visa on the university’s website or reach out to the administration for A/B classification confirmation. One of my friends at a B-class university graduated with a 3.8 GPA and was never challenged.
International University Graduates: Top 100 Universities
For overseas students in UAE, graduates from outside accepted institutions must have their university listed among the top 100 universities as per the international ranking recognized by the Ministry of Education. Here’s what you need:
- Any bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
- Completion of the degree within the last 2 years.
- A verified degree and an equivalency certificate from the Ministry of Education.
- A passport that is valid for at least 6 months (and, if relevant, a Dubai resident permit).
Steps for How to Apply for UAE Golden Visa as a Student?
At first, I thought applying for a UAE Golden Visa would require a lot of effort. However, it can be done in a very simple manner if the steps are followed correctly. My Golden residence nomination was approved within a day by using the UAE ICP app and GDRFA website. I will share my experience on how to do it in 2025.
Step 1: Check Eligibility:
With the UAEICP app or GDRFA portal, confirm you meet the visa requirements (e.g. high school 95% minimum, GPA 3.5/3.8 for universities).
Step 2: Get an ICP Nomination:
Apply for a nomination request through the UAE ICP app. Log in using UAE Pass, go to “Visa – Golden Residence – Nomination Request,” and submit the required documents. My nomination was approved within a day!
Step 3: Submit Golden Residency Request:
After ICP nomination approval, Dubai residents apply through the GDRFA website, while others use the UAE ICP app. For GDRFA submissions, remember to compress documents to a 500 KB limit.
Step 4: Cancel Current Visa (if applicable):
Go to any Amer Service Centre (for example, Al Nahda Centre) to cancel the existing visa status change. This cost me AED 190.
Step 5: Complete Medical Examination:
Undergo a medical examination with chest X-ray and blood work at MOH or similar facilities. It cost AED 320, and I received the results in a day.
Step 6: Obtain Health Insurance:
Purchase a health insurance policy with Daman for a duration of 2 years.
Step 7: Capture Fingerprints (if required):
Schedule and attend a booking at an ICA centre for fingerprint capture.
Step 8: Apply for Emirates ID:
Apply through the UAE ICP app and receive your Emirates ID. I received mine 5 hours after applying!
Step 9: Receive Your Visa and ID:
Digitally obtain your Golden Visa on the UAEICP app and receive your Emirates ID from the Zajel courier service.
Pro tip: Use UAE Pass to streamline logins across smart services system platforms. Apply early to avoid delays, especially for MOFA attestation or equivalency certificate processing.
Required Documents for UAE Golden Visa Application
These are the documents I provided for my graduate high school visa:
- Recent coloured photograph (passport size).
- Photocopy of passport (must be valid for more than 6 months).
- Attested documents such as IGCSE and A-levels through SPEA attestation.
- Ministry of Education issued an equivalency certificate (50.4 AED).
- Letter of recommendation translated into English and Arabic.
- Photocopy of visa and Emirates ID (if applicable).
- Affidavit (not mandatory, but strengthens documents).
- A screenshot of the nomination approval from ICP (for GDRFA) is attached.
What Are the Costs of a UAE Golden Visa for Students?
The visa application fees vary, but here’s what I paid for my Golden Visa:
Visa Type Residency Fees ID Fees Other Costs
| Visa Type | Residency Fees | ID Fees | Additional Costs |
| 5-Year Golden Visa | AED 2,300 | AED 600 | Attestation: AED 250, Medical: AED 350 |
| 10-Year Golden Visa | AED 2,800 | AED 1,100 | Equivalency: AED 60, Visa Cancel: AED 200 |
Additional costs:
- Knowledge dirham: AED 10.
- Innovation dirham: AED 10.
- Zajel delivery: AED 20.
- ICP nomination: AED 153.5.
- Emirates ID issuance: AED 1,150–1,165.
My total was AED 4,783, but costs can range from AED 2,800 to AED 4,800 depending on services like business setup consultant in Dubai for document help. Fees increase by AED 100 annually for residencies over 2 years.
What Are the Benefits of a UAE Golden Visa for Students?
The Golden Visa transformed my life. I could work part-time at a startup exploring a business setup in UAE, sponsor my parents, and plan my master’s without visa stress. Here’s why it’s worth it:
- Independence: No sponsor means you control your student residency in UAE.
- Family Sponsorship: I sponsored my mom, submitting her passport and visa requirements via the UAE ICP app.
- Work Opportunities: The visa benefits let you join Dubai’s booming job market or start a business setup in Dubai.
- Long-Term Stay: 5 or 10 years of long-term residency in UAE gives stability.
- Travel Freedom: Stay abroad for over 6 months without losing your residency permit application.
Frequently Asked Questions About the UAE Student Golden Visa
Q1: What Is the UAE Student Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa for students is a long-term residency UAE program offering 5 or 10 years of residency to top students UAE, top graduates UAE, and international students UAE. It’s unique because it doesn’t require a sponsor, unlike a regular student visa in UAE.
Q2: How Long Does the ICP Nomination Process Take?
My ICP nomination took 24 hours via the UAE ICP app. Processing times vary, but expect 1–3 days if documents are complete. Use UAE Pass to track your nomination request.
Q3: What If My GPA Is Below 3.5 or 3.8?
If your GPA is slightly below 3.5 (international or A-class) or 3.8 (B-class), you may not qualify unless your university is exempt by ICP. Contact your university for a recommendation letter to strengthen your case.
Q4: What If I Don’t Have a Dubai Residency?
You can still apply for a UAE Golden Visa through the UAEICP app if your visa is from another emirate. Dubai residents must use the GDRFA platform or Amer Service Centre.
Q5: How Long Does Attestation or Equivalency Take?
My SPEA attestation took 3 days, and the equivalency certificate took 2 days via the MOE UAE app. KHDA attestation or MOFA attestation may take 5–7 days, so plan ahead.
Conclusion: Start Your UAE Golden Visa Journey Today
Applying for a UAE Golden Visa for students in 2025 was one of my best decisions. From scoring 95% in Sharjah to holding my Emirates ID delivered by Zajel, the journey felt like a dream. Whether you’re a national-level topper, a UAE university graduate, or an international student in UAE, the Golden Visa UAE offers freedom, opportunity, and stability. Don’t wait—grab your attested certificates, log into the UAE ICP app with UAE Pass, and start your visa application process today. With the booming business setup in the UAE, your future in Dubai is bright!
Ready to apply? Visit icp.gov.ae or gdrfa.ae to kick off your Golden Residence Permit journey!
