Any non-resident foreign national (excluding those from the GCC) who wants to study in the UAE must obtain a UAE Student Visa. However, prior to that, they must get an offer letter from SIU Dubai since it is the institution that handles the visa application process.
In most cases, a student visa is issued for one year, and it can be renewed annually for the entire duration of your studies. To renew a Student Visa, and continue the studies, you need to be in touch with the ‘student services department’ of the university.
SIU Dubai is the only authority to apply for student entry permit for students enrolling with the University. To apply for visa sponsorship, you will need to submit requested documents from the admissions department of the university.
The process includes following:
Within few days of submission of required documents at SIU Dubai, medical screening is notified on student application, through which student must visit the medical center and undergo mandatory medical examination to proceed with the student visa. If the results are satisfactory the application will proceed to next step.
SIU Dubai will apply for the Emirates ID application for each student who has completed the medical screening successfully. The process would require student to visit to the Fingerprint scanning center.
Once the scanning is done the Emirates ID will be sent to SIU Dubai in due course of time.
Upon the issuance of the Emirates ID student would also receive a medical insurance and would be eligible to go to medical clinic covered in the network for any health- related issues during the validity period of the visa and insurance.
After the above steps have been completed, student visa will be stamped / pasted on the passport. The process will take few (7- 10) days and the passport willbe delivered to SIU Dubai
The above process takes 3-4 weeks and it is the responsibility of the student to follow the deadlines to ensure the process is not delayed which may bring fines, disciplinary actions, and cancellation of the issuance of visa process.
You cannot work full-time under Student Visa, and it is clearly mentioned on the issued permit as well. Foreign students are now allowed to work on a part time basis and as interns authorized from the sponsoring university. As such you can work in the UAE with a Student Visa only if you also obtain a UAE Work Permit. You may only work up to four consecutive hours which is relatively new and solely depends on case-to-case basis and discretion of the authorities.
Few useful links to get more information-
Employment and training of minors - The Official Portal of the UAE GovernmentThe SIU Dubai supports students for the job internship if it is linked to the course and provides necessary skill enhancement as listed in the course learning outcome.
SIU Dubai has the Career Services Centre which in forms students about the opportunities in the relevant field. The confirmation of the internship would solely depend on the discretion of the employer and NOC status form the sponsor.
Each student needs to pay the visa deposit of 1000 AED and is refundable after the completion of the course at the time of visa cancellation, if the policies and guidelines are met.
Website last updated : May 8, 2024