Reviewed by Yasir Khan, Founder, LAMTANS Group of Companies, and British Council registered consultant
To study in the UAE from Pakistan, your stay is sponsored by a UAE-resident parent or by the accredited university you attend. The university helps with the visa, and you then complete student residence through ICP or GDRFA Dubai. This guide covers the documents, fees, work rules and what we could not confirm.
UAE student visa process from Pakistan
- Get accepted by a licensed university. The university gives you a letter confirming it will host you, with your programme and duration, and an enrolment certificate.
- Sponsor. The UAE government says a UAE-resident parent or the accredited university can sponsor your stay, and universities help with the visa process.
- Apply online through the ICP Smart Services website or app, logging in with UAE Pass. Dubai-issued visas go through the GDRFA Dubai channels.
- Enter within 60 days of the visa being issued, then complete residence procedures. The stay while you do so must not exceed 60 days from entry.
- Student residence and Emirates ID. ICP lists a processing time of 2 days, after which the Emirates ID is issued and couriered.
ICP lists no general nationality restriction for these visas and does not mention Pakistan. It does require valid UAE health insurance and a passport valid for at least six months.
Documents and fees
- Passport valid for at least six months and a photo.
- Certificate from the Ministry of Education (MOE) or your emirate’s education authority confirming approval.
- University enrolment certificate and the institution’s letter confirming programme and duration.
- Valid UAE health insurance. We could not find premium amounts.
| ICP residence fee item (not labelled by visa category) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application | AED 100 |
| Residence issuance, per year | AED 100 |
| Smart service | AED 100 |
| Financial security deposit | AED 20 |
ICP does not label these fees by category, so we cannot confirm a student-only total. In Dubai, a single-entry study visit visa from a licensed institution is valid for 30, 60 or 180 days at AED 200, 300 or 400 plus a refundable AED 1,000 deposit, and takes 48 hours. We found no official proof-of-funds amount for student visas, so we confirm this at your consultation.
Tuition and application costs
| University | Fee found on its own pages |
|---|---|
| Khalifa University, master’s | AED 5,000 per credit hour |
| Khalifa University, doctorate | AED 6,666 per credit hour |
| Abu Dhabi University application | AED 315 undergraduate, AED 420 postgraduate |
| Abu Dhabi University registration | AED 2,850, non-refundable |
Khalifa says all its undergraduates study under a scholarship, with levels depending on places. We found no undergraduate tuition table at any university we read, so ask us for current figures.
Working in the UAE as a student
Students can work only with a MOHRE Training and Work Permit for Students, which your employer applies for. You must be 15 or older, hold no other work permit and, as a non-national, have a valid residence visa. It lasts three months, takes two working days and carries a federal fee of AED 50. MOHRE’s page does not state a weekly-hours limit.
A student on student residence may stay in the UAE for 180 days after the study period ends. Bachelor’s graduates of MOE-licensed universities with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or more (Classification A) or 3.8 or more (Classification B) may qualify for the 10-year Golden Residence if they graduated within two years. We could not confirm student-specific spouse rules. Family may stay “as long as they can afford suitable housing,” so we check your case.
English requirements and entry with the HSSC
| University | English requirement |
|---|---|
| Khalifa University undergraduate (direct) | IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 79 or EmSAT 1400 |
| Abu Dhabi University undergraduate | IELTS 5.0 or TOEFL iBT 61 |
| Abu Dhabi University postgraduate | IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79 |
| UAE University master’s | IELTS Academic 6.0 |
Khalifa says students from private or international schools generally need an MOE Equivalency Certificate. Neither Khalifa’s nor Abu Dhabi University’s pages mention the Pakistani HSSC, so we confirm acceptance with each university. UAE University asks master’s applicants for a bachelor’s from an accredited university recognised by the MOE, with a GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0.
Check recognition before you pay. The MOE says to enrol only in MOE-licensed institutions and accredited programmes, so your degree can be attested. It warns that foreign branch campuses without an MOE licence are not recognised, so we look only at MOE-licensed branch campuses.
Dates, scholarships and how we help
We could not find current intake dates for Khalifa or Abu Dhabi University, and UAE University’s 2026-27 master’s deadlines sit in a document we could not open. We found no UAE government scholarship that is confirmed open to Pakistani nationals.
We help with course choice, applications and your visa file. We cannot promise a visa. Compare other countries on our student visa from Pakistan guide or see all study abroad destinations, including Singapore, Malaysia and the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Who sponsors a student visa in the UAE?
A UAE-resident parent or the accredited university you attend can sponsor your stay. Universities help with the visa process.
Can I work while studying in the UAE?
Only with a MOHRE student work permit that your employer applies for. It lasts three months and costs AED 50 in federal fees.
Can I stay in the UAE after I finish my studies?
A student on student residence may stay for 180 days after the study period ends.
How much money must I show for a UAE student visa?
We found no official proof-of-funds amount on the ICP, UAE government or GDRFA pages. We confirm the position for your university at your consultation.
Are branch campuses of foreign universities recognised in the UAE?
Only if the MOE has licensed them. The MOE says degrees from unlicensed branches are not recognised in the UAE.
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Official sources: UAE government: residence visa for studying · ICP: student residence · ICP: entry visa conditions · GDRFA Dubai: study visit visa · MOHRE: student work permit · MOE: licensed institutions · Khalifa University admissions FAQ. Figures checked on 11 October 2026. Reviewed by Yasir Khan, British Council registered consultant, LAMTANS Consultants. Last updated 11 October 2026. Rules change, so we confirm the latest position at your consultation.