Highlights: UAE Expands Golden Visa Eligibility for Top Graduates in Key Fields
- The UAE has broadened its Golden Visa programme, now offering 10-year renewable residency to high-achieving university graduates.
- To qualify, applicants must hold a degree in strategic fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, software, electrical, or molecular engineering.
- Degrees must be obtained from either a top-100 global university or a UAE-accredited institution, with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
- The same academic benchmarks apply to PhD holders, doctors, and specialised engineers in high-priority sectors.
- While final-year students can prepare their documentation in advance, a conferred degree is mandatory at the time of application.
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Who Qualifies in the Education Category for the UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE's Golden Visa for graduates is designed to attract top global talent by awarding long-term residency to high-performing students in essential disciplines.
To qualify in the education category for the UAE Golden visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- Targeted Fields Only: Eligibility is limited to degrees in nine strategic subjects, including artificial intelligence, big data, epidemiology, virology, computer, electrical, software, and biotechnology, as well as molecular and genetic engineering
- Academic Excellence Required: Applicants must hold at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale from their degree programme.
- Top-Ranked Institutions: Graduates must be from top-100 global universities, verified as per recognised rankings.
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Recognised Excellence: Top 10 Global Universities for UAE Golden Visa Eligibility
To maintain the highest standards for long-term residency, the UAE Golden Visa education category accepts degrees only from institutions ranked among the world’s top universities. These rankings are based on established metrics like academic reputation, global research impact, and graduate employability. Graduating from a globally recognised institution not only enhances your career prospects but also directly qualifies you for a 10-year Golden Visa, provided your GPA and field of study meet the criteria.
Below is a list of 10 world-renowned universities frequently ranked in the global top 100 and considered eligible under the UAE’s Golden Visa framework:
|
Rank |
University Name |
Country |
|
1 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
United States |
|
2 |
Stanford University |
United States |
|
3 |
Harvard University |
United States |
|
4 |
University of Cambridge |
United Kingdom |
|
5 |
University of Oxford |
United Kingdom |
|
6 |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
United States |
|
7 |
ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology |
Switzerland |
|
8 |
National University of Singapore (NUS) |
Singapore |
|
9 |
Imperial College London |
United Kingdom |
|
10 |
University of Chicago |
United States |
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