About UAE
The United Arab Emirates, and Dubai in particular, is a global business, aviation and tourism hub just 3–4 hours from India. Many UK, Australian and Indian universities run branch campuses there, so you can earn a foreign degree at a lower cost and close to home. The main intakes are September and January, and some campuses also offer May. The currency is the UAE dirham (AED).
Why study in UAE
- UK, Australian and Indian degrees from branch campuses at a lower cost
- No income tax on salaries
- Close to India, with a huge Indian community
- Golden Visa for outstanding graduates
- Fast, university-sponsored visa process (usually 2–4 weeks)
Popular fields of study
Business and MBA, hospitality and tourism, aviation management, finance and accounting, engineering, AI and computer science (MBZUAI in Abu Dhabi), and media. Campuses include Heriot-Watt, Middlesex, University of Birmingham Dubai, University of Wollongong in Dubai, BITS Pilani Dubai and Manipal Dubai.
Student visa, step by step
Student visa: student residence visa.
- Get admission from a UAE-accredited university (KHDA-approved in Dubai).
- Pay your tuition deposit and the visa fees. Your university sponsors and applies for your visa.
- Receive your entry permit, valid for about 2 months, and fly to the UAE.
- Take the medical fitness test and give biometrics for your Emirates ID.
- Your student residence visa is issued, usually for 1 year and renewable.
After you get your visa
- Open a bank account using your Emirates ID.
- Part-time work needs a MOHRE work permit and a no-objection letter from your university. It is usually about 15–20 hours a week in term and more in breaks.
- Keep up attendance and renew your visa every year through the university.
Work and staying on
- Working while you study
- Part-time work needs a MOHRE work permit and a no-objection letter from your university. It is usually about 15–20 hours a week in term and more in breaks.
- After you graduate
- Job-seeker visa (60–120 days) After graduating, you get a grace period to change status, and you can apply for a job-seeker visa (60–120 days). Outstanding graduates (high GPA, from a top-ranked or UAE university) can apply for a 5–10 year Golden Visa without an employer sponsor.
- Settling long term
- Employment visa: sponsored by your employer, usually for 2 years and renewable. Golden Visa (5–10 years) or Green Visa (5 years) for skilled professionals, freelancers and high earners. The UAE has no standard route to permanent residence or citizenship.
Rules change. Please confirm the latest position with your guide.
Visa expenses
| Student visa package (entry permit, medical, Emirates ID) | about AED 3,000–AED 5,000 (approximate, varies by university) |
| Visa security deposit (some universities) | about AED 1,000–AED 3,000 (refundable) |
| Health insurance | about AED 700–AED 2,000 a year |
Average salary
Graduates typically start at about AED 8,000–AED 12,000 a month (approximate), tax-free. Finance, tech and engineering pay more.
Good to know
- Check that your university is accredited (CAA or KHDA). Degrees from branch campuses are awarded by the home university.
- Rent in Dubai is high. University housing or sharing helps.
General information for Indian students, not immigration advice. Fees, funds and post-study rules change often; figures marked approximate are estimates. Check the official sources before you apply:
Universities in UAE
See all programs →| Middlesex University - Dubai Dubai · 82 programs |
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| Manipal Academy of Higher Education - Dubai Dubai · 48 programs |
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| Mount Institute of Business Development (MIBD) Dubai · 30 programs |
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| Curtin University-Dubai Dubai · 30 programs |
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| Amity University - Dubai Dubai · 28 programs |
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| American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) Ras Al Khaimah · 24 programs |
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| De Montfort University (DMU) - Dubai Dubai · 24 programs |
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| Murdoch University- Navitas Dubai · 22 programs |
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| Vibe Education Dubai · 18 programs |
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| Success Point (University of Hertfordshire) Sharjah · 13 programs |