Golden Visa for Students: Your Guide to Long-Term Study and Residency Opportunities

A Golden Visa for students provides long-term residence rights for study and post-graduation life abroad. It can take two main forms:

• Merit-based Golden Visas, such as the UAE Student Golden Visa, which reward academic excellence and do not require any investment.
• Investment-based Golden Visas, where a student gains residency as a dependent of an investor parent or guardian.

Unlike regular student visas, typically tied to a sponsor, institution, or course duration, a Golden Visa gives the holder extended stay rights, often ranging from five to ten years, and the flexibility to work, travel, or sponsor family members.

In the case of the UAE Golden Visa for students, it is designed to retain top academic talent and support the nation’s knowledge-based economy, while investment-linked programs in Europe provide family stability for students studying abroad.

The UAE Student Golden Visa, officially part of the UAE’s Golden Residence Program, is a long-term residence permit granted to exceptional high school and university students, as well as graduates from top global universities.

Unlike most Golden Visa schemes that hinge on property or fund investment, the UAE version is purely merit-based, rewarding educational excellence rather than capital contribution.

This visa reflects the UAE’s vision to become a global hub for education, research, and innovation by retaining brilliant students and integrating them into its future workforce.

Key benefits of the UAE Student Golden Visa:

• Long-term residency valid for 5 or 10 years, renewable under certain conditions.
• Freedom to study, work, and reside in the UAE without a local sponsor.
• Eligibility to sponsor family members (parents and siblings, depending on category).
• Access to world-class universities and research institutions.
• A pathway to long-term residence and potential future career or entrepreneurial opportunities in the UAE.

The UAE distinguishes between three main student categories, each with its own eligibility standards set by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and implemented by authorities such as ICP, GDRFA, and ADRO.

01/ High school students

• Must have a minimum score of 95% in their final exams from a UAE public or private secondary school.
• Must hold a valid UAE residence permit (if applying from within the country).
• Requires endorsement from the Ministry of Education confirming academic standing.

02/ Graduates from UAE universities

• Must have graduated from a UAE university with a GPA of at least 3.8 (out of 4.0).
• The university must be licensed and recognized by the Ministry of Education.
• The degree should be recent, generally obtained within the past two years.
• Applicants may be nominated by the university or through ADRO (Abu Dhabi Residents Office).

03/ Graduates from top global universities

• Must have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree from one of the world’s top 100 universities, as listed by approved rankings (QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education, or Shanghai).
• Must have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.5.
• The degree must have been awarded within the last two years.
• Must provide attestation or equivalency from the UAE Ministry of Education.

Applicants for the UAE Student Golden Visa must provide the following documentation:

Personal and Identity Documents

• Valid passport (minimum six-month validity).
• Passport-sized photographs.
• Existing UAE residence permit copy (if applicable).
• Police clearance certificate.
• Valid UAE-compliant health insurance.

Academic Proof

• Official academic transcripts or degree certificates.
• Proof of GPA or grade average (95% for high school, 3.8 or 3.5 for university).
• Attestation or equivalency from the Ministry of Education (for international degrees).
• Letter of recommendation or nomination from the relevant institution or authority (if applicable).

Additional Documents

• Completed online application forms.
• Proof of address or accommodation (lease or housing certificate).
• Receipt of application and processing fees.

Step 01/ Confirm your eligibility

Determine which category you fall under — high school, UAE university graduate, or international university graduate — and verify that your GPA, institution ranking, and graduation timeline meet the criteria.

Step 02/ Obtain educational attestation

Apply for academic degree attestation or equivalency via the UAE Ministry of Education. This step is critical for applicants with international degrees.

Step 03/ Prepare your application

Gather all necessary documents, including transcripts, MoE verification, police clearance, passport, and health insurance.

Step 04/ Submit online

File your application via the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), or Abu Dhabi Residents Office (ADRO) nomination platform.

Step 05/ Pay fees and book biometrics

Pay the relevant government fees, schedule your biometrics or medical exam (if required), and await approval.

Step 06/ Receive the Golden Visa

Upon approval, you’ll receive a residence card valid for up to 10 years, allowing you to live, study, and work in the UAE independently.

02/ Cyprus

The Cyprus Golden Visa grants residency through real estate investment, starting at €300,000. Students included in the application can study at the University of Cyprus or other institutions offering English-taught programs, particularly in business and engineering.

Cyprus provides a friendly student environment, with low living costs of €700–€900/month and high-quality education.  The Golden Visa also offers travel throughout the Schengen Area, making it a great base for students wanting to explore Europe.

Requirements:

• Invest a minimum of €300,000 in newly-built residential property.
• Students must provide proof of sufficient financial means for living expenses, although this is generally included in the family’s Golden Visa application.
• Proof of health insurance.

03/ United States

The EB-5 Visa Program in the United States, also known as the Immigrant Investor Program, offers a pathway to permanent residency (Green Card) for foreign nationals who make a qualifying investment in a US business that creates or preserves jobs for American workers. While the program primarily targets investors, it significantly benefits the investor’s family members, particularly students.

To qualify for the EB-5 Visa, an investor must invest a minimum of $1 million or $800,000 in a targeted employment area in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least ten full-time jobs for US workers. Once approved and the Green Card is granted, the investor’s children can attend public or private schools, colleges, and universities in the US without applying for a separate student visa like the F-1 visa.

Requirements:

• A minimum of $1 million investment in a U.S. business that creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
• If the investment is made in a rural area or area with high unemployment, the required investment amount is reduced to $800,000.
• Proof of health insurance.

04/ Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda offers an Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program (CBI), which allows individuals to obtain citizenship and a passport by making a significant economic contribution to the country. However, it also offers an additional educational benefit: a scholarship for one year at the University of the West Indies (UWI) for one family member.

If the applicant chooses to contribute $260,000 to the University of West Indies Fund as part of the investment requirement, one member of the applicant’s family is entitled to receive a one-year tuition scholarship at the University of the West Indies campus in Antigua or any other UWI campus across the Caribbean.

Requirements:

• Invest a minimum of $230,000 to the National Development Fund (NDF) donation for a family of four or $3000,000 in approved real estate (held for at least five years).
• Dependents, including children under 30, can be included in the citizenship application and are eligible to study in Antigua and Barbuda.
• No separate student visa is required for local school or university children.
• Health insurance coverage for the family.

05/ Malta

The Malta Golden Visa provides residency to investors and their families, allowing students to study in Malta without needing a separate student visa. Malta’s education system offers a range of English-taught programs at the University of Malta and international schools for younger students.

The affordable cost of living of €1,200 per month and Malta’s English-speaking environment make it a great choice for international students. The program also allows for travel within the Schengen Area and offers a route to permanent residency.

Requirements:

• Purchase real estate worth €300,000 or lease property for at least €12,000/year.
• Proof of health insurance coverage.
• Clean criminal record.

06/ Italy

The Italy Golden Visa, also known as the Italy Investor Visa, offers significant benefits for students and their families. With a minimum investment of €500,000 in an Italian company or €250,000 in a startup, the visa grants residency rights in Italy. Once the individual qualifies, they can include immediate family members in the application.

Italy is home to several reputable universities, like the University of Bologna and Sapienza University of Rome, and students can take advantage of these educational institutions.

Many programs, especially at the graduate level, like business, engineering, and the arts, are offered in English. However, Italian language skills can help make the experience and the integration process easier.

Requirements:

• Invest a minimum of €500,000 in an Italian limited company, or at least €250,000 in an innovative Italian startup.
• Proof of financial support.
• Proof of health insurance.

07/ Greece

The Greece Golden Visa is another option aimed at investors but also offers residency benefits for students and their families. The program requires a €250,000 minimum investment. Investors don’t need their immediate family members to apply for separate visas. The same application can include the investor’s spouse, children under 21, and even the parents of the main applicant.

Students can attend Greek and international schools, making Greece an attractive option for families seeking quality education. While some programs at Greek universities are offered in English, knowing Greek can be helpful in daily life. Additionally, the low cost of living of about €800/month make Greece an attractive destination for students.

Requirements:

• Invest a minimum of €250,000 in real estate or €500,000 in high-demand areas.
• Proof of clean criminal record.
• Health insurance for the entire family.

Whether you qualify through merit (as in the UAE) or through a family investment route (as in Portugal or Malta), a Golden Visa for students offers several long-term advantages:

• Economic and professional opportunity: Network and participate in internships in thriving economic zones.
• Educational freedom: Study in globally recognized universities without visa renewal interruptions.
• Career mobility: Easier transition from student to professional, especially in countries like the UAE or Portugal.
• Family unity: Parents and dependents can reside together under one residence framework.
• Pathway to permanent residence or citizenship: Many Golden Visa programs eventually lead to permanent status.
• Global access: Enjoy visa-free Schengen travel (Europe) or international mobility (UAE).