Apply for a student visa - University of Birmingham Dubai

Eligible full-time students can apply for a University-sponsored visa to live and study in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Understand who can apply, what documents you’ll need, and how the process works.

Who can apply

Students enrolling in full-time undergraduate or postgraduate programmes at the University of Birmingham Dubai can apply for a student visa under our sponsorship.

This visa allows you to study and live in the UAE for 12 months, with annual renewals covering the duration of your programme.

To qualify for our visa sponsorship, you must:

Accept an unconditional offer for a full-time programme

Complete the online registration process

Please note that students on part-time programmes are not eligible for a University-sponsored visa and will need to provide evidence of an existing visa. This could be a visa sponsored by a parent, an employment visa, or another category as per GDRFA and DDA guidelines.

Already have a University-sponsored visa?

If you’re a continuing student and already have a University-sponsored student visa with us, but it’s due to expire, please visit our visa renewals page for guidance on how to renew.

Application deadlines

The deadlines for new international students to apply for a University-sponsored visa from outside the UAE for the January 2026 intake are:

Normal application: Friday 12 December 2025

Express application: Tuesday 16 December 2025

How to apply

Follow these steps to apply for your student visa:

Complete your online registration: you must be a registered student before starting your visa application
Gather required documents: including passport, photo (following guidelines), and completed student undertaking form (PDF, 326 KB), as well as other documents as outlined within the visa form
Activate your University email: you will need your University email address to start your visa application. Open Outlook on any device with a web browser https://outlook.cloud.microsoft. Log in using your University email address: [your username]@student.bham.ac.uk (for example: ABC123@student.bham.ac.uk) and use the password you received during online registration. Use this email address to log in and begin your visa application
Complete the new visa application: fill in the required fields with your details. The form must be completed by the student only. Applications submitted by someone else on your behalf will not be accepted
Make the visa payment to the University via card payment or bank transfer
Await your decision: our team will start the visa process and confirm the next steps within 10 working days

The information you provide will be used solely for the purposes of your studies in Dubai and will be shared with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). For details on how we handle your personal data, please refer to our privacy statements.

Start your visa application

Post application process

The duration and steps of the visa issuing process depend on whether you apply for a normal or express visa, and whether you are applying from inside or outside the UAE.

Visa processing time

Pre-arrival

If you're applying from outside the UAE, you will need an entry permit to be issued before you travel.

Normal application: entry permit issued in 14 working days
Express application: entry permit issued in 7-10 working days

Post-arrival

Normal application: visa issued in 4-5 weeks
Express application: visa issued in 3-4 weeks

Step-by-step guide

These steps are arranged by the University and AXS (our visa processing partner). Students will be notified via email with instructions, including any actions you need to take.

Entry permit issuance (for students outside the UAE): you will receive permission to enter the UAE for study. Print this out to provide to border control
Arrival in the UAE (for students outside the UAE): Submit a stamped copy of your entry permit via the Arrival Intimation Form
Medical test appointment: you will receive an appointment request for a routine health check required by the UAE authorities
Biometrics appointment: you will receive an appointment request to take a fingerprint scan. This is the final step to complete your Emirates ID registration
Visa and insurance issued: the University team will send you a copy of your residence permit (visa) and ADNIC insurance (if opted)
Emirates ID collection: once your Emirates ID has been delivered to campus, the University will contact you to collect it from the Student Hub
Complete Right to Study Check

Please note:

Timelines may vary due to additional checks and immigration procedures. The University of Birmingham Dubai cannot control these delays
While your student visa is processing, you cannot travel to or exit the UAE on any other visa. Non-compliance may result in fines, immigration issues, and delays
Please await entry permit issuance before planning your travel or booking flights to the UAE

Fees

All visa fee charges listed are subject to change in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Government of the UAE.

Visa deposit

The visa deposit is a one-time payment held by the University. This deposit will be retained until your visa is cancelled and the University's sponsorship responsibilities are complete. It is your responsibility to maintain your immigration status.

Upon visa cancellation, your deposit will be refunded minus any fines, penalties, or additional charges incurred from failing to maintain your immigration status, such as late submission of documents.

Inside the UAE fees

Fee type	Normal application (AED)	Express application (AED)
Visa deposit	3,000	3,000
Medical insurance	1,031.10	1,031.10
Visa service package	3,817	5,193
Visa administration charges	850	850
Total	8,698.10	10,074.10

Outside the UAE fees

Fee type	Normal application (AED)	Express application (AED)
Visa deposit	3,000	3,000
Medical insurance	1,031.10	1,031.10
Visa service package	2,187	3,563
Visa administration charges	850	850
Total	7,068.10	8,444.10

There is an additional administrative fee that must be paid when cancelling your visa.