UAE Golden Visa for Indian Students in 2025-26: Eligible Universities, How to Apply, Requirements
Updated On
-
Copy link
-
-
Limited-time offer : Access a free 10-Day IELTS study plan curated for you
Table of Contents
- What is UAE Golden Visa for Indian Students?
- Benefits of UAE Golden Visa for Indian Students in 2025 - 26
- Eligibility Requirements for UAE Golden Visa for Indian Students in 2025 - 26
- Documents Required for UAE Golden Visa Education Category
- Abu Dhabi’s Golden Visa Initiative for Students and Graduates
- Top Global Universities Recognized for Golden Visa Qualification
- UAE Golden Visa Fees for Indian Applicants
- Explore Your Golden Visa Opportunities With ÿմ Assistance
ճUAE Golden Visa for Indian students 2025-26 is a cornerstone of the country's vision to position itself as a global leader in innovation, science and technology. For Indian students and graduates, this 10-year residency visa offers a remarkable opportunity to live, study, and work in one of the world's fastest-growing economies.
This initiative not only supports individual career growth but also aligns with the UAE’s long-term goals of building a knowledge-driven economy. Let us further explore the details of the UAE Golden Visa for Indian students along with a list of top eligible universities, requirements, process and more details
What is UAE Golden Visa for Indian Students?
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term resident permit, typically valid for 5 to 10 years, which enables holders to live, study and work in the UAE without needing a local sponsor. Following recent policy updates, selected individuals may qualify for a certain period of lifetime residency under the new nomination-based pathway available to Indian and Bangladeshi Nationals.
Category |
Requirement |
Details |
Graduation status |
Already graduated (final‑year excluded) |
Apply after degree completion |
GPA |
≥ 3.5 to 3.8 (varies by university) |
Must come from top-ranked universities |
Field of study |
Priority sectors (AI, biotech, etc.) |
9 allowed fields only |
Nomination |
Must be from approved UAE entity |
Self‑nomination not accepted |
Fee |
AED 100,000 |
One‑time processing fee, not purchase price |
Validity of visa |
5, 10 years or possibly lifetime |
5‑yr may have limitations |
Work eligibility |
Only under 10‑year visa |
5‑year student visas may not permit work |
Family sponsorship |
Yes — spouse, children, domestic help |
Included in visa privileges |
Benefits of UAE Golden Visa for Indian Students in 2025 - 26
The unparalleled benefits for UAE Golden Visa for students include:
- Long term residence (5, 10 years), often with renewability
- No local employer sponsorship required
- Right to study, live, and work (especially with the 10 -year visa) and to sponsor family members including spouses, children, and even domestic staff
- Tax advantage (No personal tax, No capital gains, No inheritance tax)
- Access to benefits like the Essad Privilege Card, medical coverage, and easier banking access
Please Note: A 5-year Golden Visa issued under the "outstanding student” category may not allow work permit issuance via MOHRE unless upgraded to a 10 year Golden Visa, restricting part-time or postgraduate employment.
Explore in detail about theUAE Tax System
Eligibility Requirements for UAE Golden Visa for Indian Students in 2025 - 26
The UAE Golden Visa for Indian students plays a crucial role in attracting global talent, especially in sectors like healthcare, AI, biotechnology, etc, by offering permanent career prospects in the country. The eligibility criteria for the Outstanding student category under the UAE Golden Visa include:
1. Education Based Eligibility
Indian graduates can qualify under theoutstanding student or top university graduate categoryif they meet:
- A minimumGPA of 3.5 - 3.8(on a 4.0 scale), depending on university ranking
- Graduation in one of the 9 priority fieldslinked to national development goals
- Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Epidemiology and Virology
- Computer, Software, Electronic and Electrical Engineering
- Biotechnology, Genetics, and Molecular Engineering.
- Adegree from a top 100 global universityfor consideration in many cases.
*Please note, the final year students appearing to graduate in 2025 may pre-prepare but must apply after graduation.
2. Nomination-Based Route
In addition to the academic qualifications mentioned, applicants would also need to meet the following requirements under the nomination-based route
- Nominated by an approved UAE government or semi-government entity
- Eligible Indian professionals also include qualified teachers (15+ years of experience), nurses, digital content creators (YouTubers are podcasters aged 25+), researchers and other strategic sectors.
Applicants accepted under this route pay a one time fee of AED 100,000 after nomination approval. It is important that this is a processing fee,not a purchase price for the visa. ICP has warned against prudent claims offering “Golden Visas for INR 23 lakh guaranteed” without nomination.
Documents Required for UAE Golden Visa Education Category
Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria for the UAE Golden Visa Education Category would need to submit a complete of verified set of academic documents including:
- Attested graduation certificate
- Officialacademic transcriptsshowing a GPA of 3.5 or above
- Letter of recommendation from the university
- Certified Arabic translations of all non-Arabic documents
Abu Dhabi’s Golden Visa Initiative for Students and Graduates
Abu Dhabi has launched specialised tracks through the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) to offer Golden Visas to both high school and university graduates
Visa Type |
Details |
Golden Visa for High School Graduates (10 Years) |
Eligibility Criteria
Documents Required
Application Process
|
Golden Visa for University Graduates in Abu Dhabi |
Eligibility Criteria
Required Documents
How to Apply
|
ExploreResidence Visa for Studying in the UAE
Top Global Universities Recognized for Golden Visa Qualification
Graduates from top-tier global institutions are given priority, especially those in the listed scientific and technical disciplines. Some of the most recognised institutions include:
- MIT (USA)
- Stanford University (USA)
- Harvard University (USA)
- University of Oxford (UK)
- University of Cambridge (UK)
- Caltech (USA)
- ETH Zurich (Switzerland)
- Imperial College of London (UK)
- UCL (UK)
- University of Chicago (USA)
UAE Golden Visa Fees for Indian Applicants
Although the Golden Visa does not require investment for education of professional categories, applicants must pay standard government processing fees, which include:
Fee Type |
Cost (AED) |
Golden Visa Application (10 years) |
AED 2,790 |
Emirates ID (10 years) |
AED 1,070 |
Medical Fitness Test |
AED 320 |
Total Estimated Cost |
AED 4,180 |
Also Read:UAE Golden Visa for ₹23 Lakh? Here’s the Truth Indian Applicants Should Know
Explore Your Golden Visa Opportunities With ÿմ Assistance
In the UAE, the Golden Visa for Indian students presents an unprecedented chance to build a secure and prosperous future in a globally connected, innovation-driven country. With generous benefits and strategic alignment to high-growth sectors, the visa scheme empowers talented graduates to thrive, contribute and call the UAE their long-term home.
If you are also looking for your visa options to the UAE, consider reaching out to ÿմfor comprehensive assistance from eligibility verification to visa process and more.
Also Read:
Limited-time offer : Access a free 10-Day IELTS study plan curated for you
Frequently Asked Questions
Can students apply for the UAE Golden Visa?
Is education free in Dubai for Golden Visa holders?
How long does the UAE golden visa process stay?
Can I apply for the Golden Visa buyer on a tourist visa in the UAE?
Do I need to give up my Indian citizenship to get the Golden Visa?
What is the difference between UAE Green Visa and Golden Visa?