High-achieving high-school graduates and university students in the UAE can secure a 5-year or 10-year Golden Visa — and even sponsor their parents on it. Here is exactly how the Outstanding Students Golden Visa works in 2026.
What is the Outstanding Students Golden Visa?
The Outstanding Students Golden Visa was introduced to retain top academic talent in the UAE and reward exceptional university performance. There are two distinct sub-routes: one for top-performing high-school graduates from accredited UAE schools, and a second for university students enrolled in (or graduated from) top-100 universities globally. The visa is initially 5 years and extends to 10 upon graduation if the qualifying GPA is maintained.
Who qualifies
- UAE high-school graduates: minimum GPA of 95% in the Class XII / Year 13 final exams from a Ministry of Education accredited school in the UAE.
- University students enrolled in UAE: currently studying at one of the top-100 universities in the world (per QS World University Rankings or Times Higher Education) with a current cumulative GPA of 3.5+.
- UAE university graduates: graduated within the past two years from a recognised UAE university with a cumulative GPA of 3.8+.
- Top-100 global graduates: graduates of the top-100 universities globally (regardless of where they currently live) with a 3.8+ GPA.
- Specialised programmes: students with distinction in priority fields — medicine, engineering, AI, computer science, biotech — receive easier endorsement.
Cost breakdown
| Item | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Education endorsement | Free |
| Golden Visa government issuance (5-year) | 1,800 - 2,500 |
| Golden Visa government issuance (10-year) | 2,800 - 3,800 |
| Medical fitness test | 320 - 750 |
| Emirates ID | 370 - 1,070 |
| Status change (if inside UAE) | 640 |
| Health insurance (annual) | 800 - 2,000 |
| Service / typing fee | 500 - 1,500 |
Typical all-in cost: AED 5,000 - 10,000. Sponsoring parents adds approximately AED 4,500 - 6,500 per parent.
Step-by-step process
- Confirm eligibility — request a transcript and verified GPA letter from the school or university.
- For UAE high-schoolers, the Ministry of Education automatically nominates students with 95%+ GPA. You can also self-nominate via the ICP smart services portal.
- For top-100 university students, attest the transcript through MOFA, then submit through ICP / GDRFA.
- Pre-approval typically within 5 - 10 working days.
- Complete the medical fitness test (waived for under-18s in some cases).
- Emirates ID issuance and visa stamping.
- Optionally apply to sponsor parents and siblings under 18 immediately after stamping.
Documents required
- Passport (6+ months validity)
- Emirates ID (if inside UAE)
- Final-exam certificate or university transcript
- Verified GPA letter (signed by the registrar / principal)
- MOFA attestation of transcript (for non-UAE universities)
- QS / THE ranking confirmation page (for top-100 university students)
- Passport-size photo
- Medical fitness certificate
- Health insurance policy
- Birth certificate (attested) — required to sponsor parents
Processing time
UAE high-school graduate applications nominated by the Ministry of Education are typically processed in 5 - 10 working days. University-graduate applications take 2 - 4 weeks because of MOFA attestation. Renewals at graduation (when stepping up from the 5-year to 10-year visa) need a fresh transcript and take another 5 - 10 days.
Common mistakes
- School not on the accredited list: only Ministry of Education accredited schools count for the 95%+ route. International schools must be CBSE, IB, AS Levels, US, or another recognised curriculum.
- Outdated ranking screenshots: the top-100 list refreshes annually. Use the current year's QS / THE ranking when applying.
- Cumulative vs final-year GPA confusion: for university applicants, the cumulative GPA across the entire degree is what counts, not the final-year average.
- Sponsoring parents without proof of relationship: the birth certificate must be MOFA attested. Indian, Pakistani, and Egyptian birth certificates additionally need home-country attestation.
- Letting the visa lapse on graduation: the 5-year student visa does not auto-renew when you graduate. You must actively re-apply with the final transcript to step up to the 10-year version.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA do I need at a UAE university?
3.8 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent — 95% on a percentage scale). The university registrar issues the official GPA letter required by ICP.
Which universities count as "top 100"?
The QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education global rankings are both accepted. Verify using the current academic year's edition. Both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from top-100 institutions qualify.
Can I sponsor my parents on a student Golden Visa?
Yes — and this is one of the standout benefits. Student Golden Visa holders can sponsor both parents without meeting the standard AED 20,000 minimum salary requirement. Birth certificates must be MOFA attested.
What happens after I graduate?
The 5-year visa does not automatically extend. You must apply for the 10-year version with your final transcript showing GPA was maintained. If GPA dropped below the threshold, the visa simply expires at the end of year 5 and you must transition to a different residence type.
Does the visa allow me to work?
Yes. Golden Visa holders, including students, can work for any UAE employer without an additional work permit. Many top students take internships or part-time roles during their studies under this freedom.
What if my school is not in the UAE?
If you are in school outside the UAE but applying for a UAE university with a confirmed offer, you can apply through the top-100 university route once enrolled. Pre-arrival applications are not common but possible if the university is on the recognised list and provides an enrolment letter.
Can siblings under 18 be sponsored?
Sponsoring siblings is not standard under the Golden Visa, but unmarried siblings with a deceased parent can sometimes be sponsored on humanitarian grounds. The standard route is for the visa holder to sponsor parents, who in turn sponsor the siblings.
How we help
We secure Ministry of Education endorsements, attest international transcripts through MOFA, and submit the full ICP application — often within a single visit. Apply for the student Golden Visa or talk to our family-visa team about adding parents at the same time. See also our guide to sponsoring family on a Golden Visa.
Need help with this?
Our PRO consultants handle the full process end-to-end — documents, government submission, and delivery. Service fee is fully refundable pre-submission.