Study in the UAE

Your university sponsors your UAE Student Residence Visa, the permit that lets you live and study in the UAE for the length of your course.

While you study, you can work part-time through university-approved internships or work permits issued by local free zone authorities, like Dubai Knowledge Park. Note: exact work permit rules can vary slightly depending on which free zone your university sits in, so it's always worth checking with your university's career office directly.

The UAE doesn't have a separate post-study work visa, but the process after graduation is simple. Once you land a job offer, your employer sponsors your full work visa, letting you work full-time in the UAE.

Student Residence Visa — Key Facts

• Duration: Issued for 1 year at a time and renewed annually for the length of your program.
• Work rights: Part-time work and internships are allowed with university and authority approvals.
• Eligibility: An official acceptance letter from an accredited UAE university, proof of funds, health insurance, and passing a standard medical check.

Working After Graduation — Key Facts

• How it works: Get a job offer after graduating, and your employer sponsors your work visa and residence permit.
• Work rights: Full-time employment across any industry in the UAE.
• Eligibility: A degree from an accredited university and a formal job offer.