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UAE student visa: sponsorship by a parent or by the university

Students can stay on a resident parent's sponsorship or the university's. Sons can be sponsored up to 25, and beyond with proof of higher education; daughters until they marry.

By MyGuide AE Editorial 1 min read

A student can live in the UAE on a resident parent’s sponsorship or on the sponsorship of the accredited university or college. Universities help students through the visa process.

Sponsorship by parents

  • Sons can be sponsored up to the age of 25. Past 25, a son can stay on his parents’ sponsorship with evidence that he attends a higher-education institution.
  • Daughters can be sponsored for study regardless of age, until she marries.

What you need

A certificate from the university or institute stating how long the study lasts, plus the general visa requirements.

Families of students

Family members of a foreign student at a UAE university may stay in the UAE as long as they can afford suitable housing.

Outstanding students

Top school and university students can qualify for a Golden Visa: 5 years for high-school achievers, 10 years for top university students.

The general family rules, including the salary a sponsor needs, are in UAE family visa.

Conditions change from time to time; ICP (the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) and, in Dubai, GDRFA are the reference.

Checked against the UAE government portal (u.ae) on 24 September 2026. See our editorial policy.

Sources we checked

The official bodies where these figures and rules are kept up to date. Where an official page disagrees with us, the official page is right.

Prices are what we last paid or last verified, in dirhams. Opening hours change on public holidays and during Ramadan — always confirm on the venue’s own site before you travel. Our editorial policy

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