Graduates of top 100 foreign universities may qualify for UAE Golden Visa

Graduates of the world's top 100 universities may qualify for the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) 10-year Golden Visa even if they completed their studies abroad, Gulf News reported.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a university ranked among the world's top 100 by a ranking system recognised by the UAE Ministry of Education. They must also have a minimum GPA of 3.5, or equivalent, and apply within two years of graduation.

The degree must be attested and accompanied by a UAE Ministry of Education equivalency certificate. These requirements apply specifically to the Golden Visa category for international university graduates.

The recognised university list includes institutions such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Oxford and Cambridge. Applicants can check the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs list or the Abu Dhabi Residents Office list. A university's reputation alone does not guarantee eligibility.

Eligible graduates must submit a nomination request through the relevant immigration authority, either the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) or Dubai's General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). Authorities assess applications before deciding on approval.

The Golden Visa is a renewable 10-year residency that allows holders to live, work, study and invest in the UAE without a local sponsor. It also allows them to sponsor eligible family members, including spouses, children and parents, subject to applicable regulations.

Eligible applicants outside the UAE may obtain a six-month multiple-entry visa, renewable for a further six months, to complete residency procedures. Sponsored family members may also remain in the country until their residence permits expire if the Golden Visa holder dies.