UAE Golden Visa for Outstanding High School Students
A current guide to the five-year Golden Residency route for outstanding high-school students, including the 95% academic average, educational-authority recommendation, Academic Strength Index and certificate-approval requirements.
Important: A 95% score is necessary but is not the entire eligibility test.
Current High School Outstanding-Student Requirements
| Requirement | Current federal position |
|---|---|
| Academic average | At least 95% high-school average or accepted equivalent. |
| Educational authority | Recommendation from the Ministry of Education and competent local educational authorities, as applicable. |
| Academic Strength Index | Must meet the approved ASI standard based on the national standard test in the main subject. |
| School | School must be licensed by the Ministry of Education or the competent local educational authority. |
| Certificate | High-school certificate must be approved by the Ministry of Education. |
| Residence duration | 5 years for outstanding high-school students. |
High School Golden Visa Eligibility Screener
This calculator checks the principal published federal conditions. It does not replace the recommendation or approval process.
Core High-School Golden Residency Criteria Satisfied
Your selected inputs satisfy the principal published federal screening conditions. Final nomination, certificate verification and immigration approval remain with the competent authorities.
High School Golden Residency Snapshot
| Minimum average | 95% |
| Residence | 5 years |
| Sponsor | Not required |
| ASI | Required |
| Certificate | MOE approval |
95% average is necessary — but not the only condition
The federal regulation does not describe the high-school test as “95% in the final exam.” It states that the high-school average, or its equivalent, must not be less than 95%. The applicant must also meet the approved Academic Strength Index standard based on the national standard test in the main subject.
| Original wording | Correct current wording |
|---|---|
| 95% final exam score | High-school average or accepted equivalent of at least 95%. |
| 95% alone = eligible | 95% + recommendation + ASI requirement + certificate approval + other applicable conditions. |
Academic Strength Index (ASI)
The current federal regulation expressly adds the approved Academic Strength Index (ASI) standard. The ASI is approved by the Ministry of Education and is based on the national standard test in the main subject.
School licensing and certificate approval
| Requirement | Federal rule |
|---|---|
| School | Licensed by the Ministry of Education or competent local educational authorities. |
| High-school average | At least 95% or accepted equivalent. |
| Recommendation | Ministry of Education and competent local authorities, as applicable. |
| ASI | Approved Ministry standard based on the national standard test. |
| Certificate | Approved by the Ministry of Education. |
What about British, IB and US high-school qualifications?
The current federal regulation does not give a universal list of named curricula that automatically qualify. It uses the concept of a qualifying high-school average or equivalent, together with the school-licensing, ASI, recommendation and Ministry certificate-approval conditions.
| Qualification type | Safe current treatment |
|---|---|
| UAE national curriculum | Apply the published high-school average and authority requirements. |
| International / foreign curriculum | Treat the result as an equivalent only after the relevant educational-recognition and certificate-approval requirements are satisfied. |
| British A-Levels / IB / US Diploma | No automatic blanket approval should be promised by this page; the specific certificate equivalence and Ministry approval should be verified. |
Five-year high-school Golden Residence
Current ICP and UAE Government guidance identify the outstanding high-school student Golden Residence as a 5-yearcategory without the ordinary sponsor requirement.
Extension after high school
The current UAE Government guidance says the five-year student Golden Visa may be extended if the student is enrolled in one of the majors or colleges in the UAE that requires a study period of more than five years.
| Situation | Current treatment |
|---|---|
| 95%+ high-school student | Five-year outstanding-student Golden Residence, subject to all conditions. |
| Enrolled in a UAE programme requiring more than five years | Existing student Golden Visa may be extended under the current guidance. |
| University student who separately meets outstanding-university criteria | Separate 10-year university-student category may apply. |
Family benefits
The official UAE Golden Visa benefit framework allows eligible Golden Residents to sponsor their spouse and children, with children covered regardless of age, and allows sponsorship of an unlimited number of domestic helpers.
Practical application workflow
Confirm academic average
Verify at least 95% or the recognised equivalent high-school average.
Verify ASI and school
Confirm the school is licensed and the approved Academic Strength Index requirement is met.
Obtain recommendation
Obtain the Ministry of Education / competent educational authority recommendation.
Complete residence
Ensure the certificate is approved and complete the applicable immigration and residence issuance procedures.
Related UAE Tools & Guides
2026 VerifiedFrequently Asked Questions
UAE Legislation — Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022: Article 19 — Outstanding High School Students
ICP — Golden Residency: Official current Golden Residency framework
UAE Government — Golden Visa: Official requirements and benefits
Ministry of Education: Official UAE Ministry of Education portal