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Office No. 2202, Floor 22, Al Tabarak Tower, Al Mamzar, Sharjah, UAE
While the Indian
educational system, institutions, and infrastructure are getting better, Dubai
has already come a long way in academic excellence. Small class sizes, updated
and vigorous curriculum, approachable professors, part-time work opportunities,
and well-rounded student friendly system in Dubai leave no stone unturned to
make the experience engaging rather than overwhelming for learners. Therefore,
more and more students from India are looking at Dubai for long-term
international career pathways. But remember the dream of studying abroad in UAE
is subject to procuring Dubai Visa for Students. While the Government of India
shares friendly and cordial relationships with the UAE Government, like all
other international students’ Indian students are also required to undergo the
Visa application process following and meeting all the eligibility criteria,
academic, and financial requirements.
As the process of visa application of Dubai for students revolves around the security measures and lengthy procedures, many students might find it overwhelming. But fear not! We are available to help you, navigating you step-by-step through the process of Dubai student visa. To make the process convenient and easier, we have put together the detailed and updated information about the cost, eligibility criteria, and requirements which are mandatory to meet by the Indian students who are looking forward to pursuing an UG or PG program in Dubai’s top universities. Here we go.
While planning to
study abroad with a focus on Dubai, weighing the available options in terms of
visas is key. Note that your academic and professional career path in the
world’s richest city is closely linked to the type of student visa you hold.
There are mainly three types of student visas for international students, which
are also accessible and available for learners from India.
The idea of studying
in Dubai excites millions of students across the world—especially for its
high-quality education, convenient immigration policies, and rewarding
post-study work opportunities, which strongly appeal to Indian students. If you
are also one of those students who dreams of living and studying in the heart
of the Middle East, then carefully read the following requirements and
eligibility criteria for obtaining a Dubai student visa.
|
Category |
Requirement /
Eligibility |
Details / Notes |
|
Admission / Academic |
University
Acceptance |
Must have an
unconditional offer / admission letter from a recognized university in Dubai. |
|
English Language
Proficiency |
Proof of English |
IELTS / TOEFL (or
equivalent) is commonly required. For example, some programs ask for IELTS
~6.0 or relevant TOEFL score. Some students may be exempted if they had
strong English in their prior studies. |
|
Age / Passport |
Valid Passport |
Passport must be
valid (typically at least 6 months from the date of entry). |
|
Sponsorship |
Visa Sponsor |
Student visas are
usually sponsored by the university or sometimes by a parent / relative in
UAE. |
|
Financial |
Proof of Funds |
Must show financial
capability to cover tuition + living expenses. Up-front payment or a bank
statement may be required. |
|
Health / Medical |
Medical Fitness
Test/ Health Insurance |
Mandatory medical
test after arrival in Dubai. The medical fitness test includes certain
standard checks. Students must clear a “medical clearance” as part of visa
application / renewal |
|
Identification |
Emirates ID /
Biometric |
After arrival,
students will need to apply for Emirates ID, and go through biometric
scanning. |
|
Security / Clearance |
Background Check |
Some students may be
subject to security / background clearance as part of visa application. |
If you want to gain deep exposure to your chosen program in the world’s best institution in Dubai, whether it is engineering, computer science, or management through project-based learning then understanding the application and visa process is essential. Here are the full details you need to know.
|
Step No. |
Process Step |
Description |
|
1. |
Choose Course &
University |
Select your
preferred program and institution; ensure it is recognized for issuing
student visas. |
|
2. |
Receive Offer Letter
/ Admission Confirmation |
Apply to the
university and obtain a formal acceptance or offer letter. |
|
3. |
Pay Tuition Deposit
(If required) |
Some universities
require a partial tuition fee payment before issuing visa documents. |
|
4. |
Obtain Visa-Specific
Documents |
Prepare passport,
photos, academic transcripts, English proficiency test scores, financial
evidence, SOP, LoRs, etc. |
|
5. |
Complete Visa
Application Form |
Fill out the online
visa application form on the official immigration or consulate website. |
|
6. |
Pay Visa Application
Fee |
Pay the required
visa fee online; cost varies by country. |
|
7. |
Schedule Biometrics
/ Visa Appointment |
Book an appointment
at VFS Global or an authorized Visa Application Centre for biometrics and
document submission. |
|
8. |
Attend Biometrics
& Submit Documents |
Provide
fingerprints, photographs, and all required documents. Some countries also
require an interview. |
|
9. |
Undergo Medical
Examination (If required) |
Countries like
Australia, UK, Canada, and UAE require mandatory medical tests from empaneled
centers. |
|
10. |
Visa Processing
Period |
Wait for visa
decision; processing time can range from 1 week to 3 months depending on the
country. |
|
11. |
Receive Visa
Decision |
Visa may be
approved, refused, or require additional documents. |
|
12. |
Travel Preparation |
Book tickets,
arrange accommodation, purchase health insurance, and carry visa documents. |
|
13. |
Travel to Study
Destination |
Arrive in the
country, pass immigration checks, and show visa documents and admission
proof. |
|
14. |
Complete
Post-Arrival Formalities |
Register with local
authorities, collect student ID, attend orientation, and open a bank account
(if required). |
Indian students
considering Dubai, UAE for their studies should not only focus on the
university and its programs but also on the Dubai visa fees and other related
expenses. The payment of these fees and charges is just as important as any
other part of the application process. To help you understand the Dubai student
visa costs and additional expenses, we have put together a complete list for
your reference.
|
Expense Type |
Estimated Cost
(AED) |
Estimated Cost
(INR) |
Notes / Source |
|
Visa Application /
Processing Fee |
AED 3,000 – 7,000 |
~ ₹68,000 – ₹1.59
Lakh |
Varies by university
and visa type |
|
Medical Fitness Test |
AED 300 – 700 |
~ ₹6,600 – ₹15,400 |
Mandatory health
screening |
|
Emirates ID |
AED 370 – 700 |
~ ₹8,200 – ₹15,400 |
Required for
residence visa |
|
Health Insurance
(Annual) |
AED 1,200 – 2,500 |
~ ₹27,500 – ₹57,500 |
Cost depends on
policy/university coverage |
|
Security / Visa
Deposit (Refundable) |
AED 1,000 – 3,000 |
~ ₹22,000 – ₹68,000 |
Held by university;
refunded later |
|
Typing / Admin
Charges |
AED 200 – 500 |
~ ₹4,400 – ₹11,000 |
For processing
through typing centres or agents |
|
Total Estimated Cost
(First Year) |
AED 7,000 – 15,000 |
~ ₹1.6 – 3.5 Lakh |
Sum of major
visa-related costs for one year as per some sources |
The Dubai student visa
success rate is generally high. The good news is that this success rate can be
even better if a few important things are kept in mind. Even a small mistake or
error in your visa application can make a big difference, leading to delays or
even rejection, so it is crucial to be careful throughout the entire process.
Find below the key ways to strengthen your student visa application for Dubai,
UAE.
|
Mistake |
Tip / How to
Avoid |
|
Applying without
confirmed university admission |
Ensure you have a
formal unconditional offer letter before applying. |
|
Insufficient or
incorrect financial proof |
Submit recent bank
statements, scholarship letters, or sponsor letters that clearly show
sufficient funds. |
|
Ignoring medical
requirements |
Submit recent bank
statements, scholarship letters, or sponsor letters that clearly show
sufficient funds. |
|
Ignoring medical
requirements |
Schedule the medical
examination on time and keep all reports ready for submission. |
|
Submitting
incomplete or wrong documents |
Double-check all
documents, translations, and attestations before submission. |
|
Invalid or
near-expiry passport |
Ensure your passport
is valid for at least 6–12 months beyond your planned entry date. |
|
Not checking
university-specific requirements |
Follow university
instructions carefully; do not rely solely on general UAE visa rules. |
|
Delaying visa
application |
Apply as soon as you
receive the admission letter, ideally 1–2 months in advance. |
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