Obtaining a residence visa in the UAE: golden visa for top graduates of foreign universities as well as universities and schools of the UAE Service offer

The United Arab Emirates is a federal state located on the Arabian Peninsula and consisting of 7 emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Sharjah.

The fast-growing economy, favorable conditions for business, developed infrastructure, high standard of living, absence of personal income tax, multicultural and safe environment – all these factors attract to the UAE investors and highly skilled specialists from different countries of the world.

Main advantages of residence visa

Provides the opportunity to live in the country;

Provides the opportunity to obtain the tax resident status (while meeting additional conditions);

Provides the opportunity to open a bank account in the country of residence;

Provides the opportunity to rent a dwelling by entering into an official contract;

Provides the opportunity to use cell carriers’ services;

Provides the opportunity to obtain a driver’s license.

In 2022, changes were made to migration legislation of the UAE that significantly broadened grounds for obtaining a golden visa: in particular, now top graduates of foreign universities as well as universities and schools of the UAE can obtain such a visa.

Also the validity period of such a visa was increased and the conditions were improved compared to “ordinary” residence visa:

the validity period of a golden visa is up to 10 years*;
a visa sponsor is not required;
possibility to obtain residence visas for family members without age limitations;
the allowed period of stay outside the UAE is not limited.

*A golden visa is issued to university graduates for 10 years and cannot be extended on the same basis. A golden visa is issued to UAE secondary school graduates for 5 years and can be extended if the applicant is enrolled in one of UAE higher education institutions where the study program lasts more than 5 years.

Main requirements for the applicant

In the category “top graduates of foreign universities”:

the applicant has graduated from a university (higher education institution) that is in the top 100 higher education institutions of the world in the rating recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education;
the average grade of the diploma (GPA) is at least 3.5;
it has not been more than 2 years since the graduation from the university;
the document on the graduation from the higher education institution is recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education.

In the category “top graduates of UAE universities”:

the applicant has graduated from a university (higher education institution) licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education;
the university (higher education institution) is in category A or category B according to the classification of the UAE Ministry of Education;
the average grade of the diploma (GPA) is at least 3.5 for category A universities and 3.8 for category B universities;
it has not been more than 2 years since the graduation from the university.

In the category “top graduates of UAE schools”:

the applicant has graduated from a public or private school licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education;
certificate of secondary education with a 95% score.

Procedure of obtaining a visa:

IMPORTANT: applicants who graduated from foreign universities must get their higher education documents validated (recognized) in the UAE.

It takes around 1.5 – 2 months.

1. Obtain a letter of recommendation from the UAE Ministry of Education by submitting a golden visa nomination application.

The application processing takes 2 workdays after all supporting documents are provided.

2. After receiving a letter of recommendation from the UAE Ministry of Education, submit a golden visa application and, after receiving approval, finalize the procedure of obtaining residency – visa and Emirates ID.

Required documents

passport;
photo;
residence visa and Emirates ID (if applicable);
proof of obtaining a letter of recommendation (nomination) for a golden visa from the UAE Ministry of Education (electronic message);
documents on education:
- for university graduates: university degree certificate (proving bachelor’s / master’s / doctor’s degree), extract from such a certificate.
- for UAE secondary school graduates: certificate of secondary education.

Attention: documents on graduation from a foreign university must be legalized and validated (one must provide a certificate issued by the UAE Ministry of Education proving the documents are recognized).

Obtaining a visa takes around 1.5 – 2 weeks.

Service fees*

Service	Fee (USD)
Validation (recognition) of education documents in the UAE, including: · submitting documents for verification; · submitting documents for qualification recognition. All duties and government fees for verification and qualification recognition (from AED 500 depending on the set of documents) and expenses for a certified translation of documents (if needed) are not included in the service fee and shall be paid by the client separately.	450
Submitting an application for a letter of recommendation (nomination) for a golden visa, including: · services in preparation and execution of necessary documents and getting them approved by state authorities; · services in submission of documents to obtain a letter of recommendation (nomination) from the UAE Ministry of Education. All duties and government fees connected with application for a letter of recommendation (nomination) (~ AED 150) are not included in the service fee and shall be paid by the client separately.	1 000
Obtaining a golden visa, including: · services in preparation and execution of necessary documents and getting them approved by state authorities; · services in escort to the migration service to file a visa application; · services in escort to the clinic to undergo medical examination; · services in escort to the federal migration service to give biometric data; · services in filing an application and obtaining a resident card (Emirates ID). All duties and government fees connected with the obtaining of a residence visa and Emirates ID (from AED 4 500 depending on the procedure of obtaining) are not included in the service fee and shall be paid by the client separately.	2 500

*The service fees are effective as of April 2025. Issued invoices will include a VAT of 5% of the provided services.

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