UAE Golden Visa for Students, Graduates & Outstanding Educators
Current route-by-route guide covering UAE A/B university graduates, top-100 international graduates, outstanding high-school students and Dubai's separate outstanding-educator initiative.
Important: GPA or school marks are screening criteria, not automatic visa approval. The route, university classification, recommendation and document requirements also matter.
Current academic Golden Residency routes
| Applicant | Academic threshold | Residence |
|---|---|---|
| UAE A-ranked university graduate | GPA ≥ 3.50 | 10 years |
| UAE B-ranked university graduate | GPA ≥ 3.80 | 10 years |
| Top-100 international university graduate | Bachelor GPA ≥ 3.50 | 10 years |
| Outstanding high-school student | ≥95% | 5 years |
| Outstanding Dubai private-sector educator | KHDA programme criteria | Separate Dubai educator initiative |
Academic Golden Residency Evaluator
Select the applicant's actual academic category. The evaluator then applies the relevant GPA/marks and timing rules.
Potential 10-Year UAE University Graduate Route
Your GPA of 3.60 meets the 3.50 threshold for the A-ranked UAE-university route, subject to the remaining official conditions.
Academic Route Summary
| Selected route | 🎓 UAE A-Ranked University Graduate |
| Threshold | GPA ≥ 3.50 |
| Duration | 10 years |
| Timing | ≤2 years since graduation |
Dubai Outstanding Educators
Dubai has a separate KHDA initiative for outstanding educators in private early-childhood centres, schools and higher-education institutions.
View educator criteria ↓International Money Transfer & FX Rates
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UAE university graduates: A vs B classification
The original page's universal 3.8 GPA rule is not consistent with the detailed federal executive regulation. For graduates of UAE universities, the regulation distinguishes A- and B-ranked institutions.
| University classification | Minimum GPA | Other key conditions |
|---|---|---|
| A-ranked | 3.5 / 4.0 or equivalent | Degree from licensed UAE university; ≤2 years since graduation; MOE attestation. |
| B-ranked | 3.8 / 4.0 or equivalent | Degree from licensed UAE university; ≤2 years since graduation; MOE attestation. |
Top-100 international university graduates
| Condition | Current federal requirement |
|---|---|
| University ranking | Top 100 globally under the Ministry of Education-approved international classification. |
| Degree | Bachelor's degree for the international-graduate route. |
| GPA | At least 3.5. |
| Graduation timing | No more than two years since graduation. |
| Certificate | Attested by the Ministry of Education. |
Outstanding high-school students
The high-school route is a separate 5-year Golden Residence. A score of 95% is necessary but not sufficient.
| Requirement | Current federal treatment |
|---|---|
| School | Public or private school licensed by MOE or competent local educational authority. |
| High-school average | At least 95%. |
| Recommendation | Ministry of Education or competent local authority. |
| Academic Strength Index | Applicant must meet the approved ASI standards based on the national standard test in the main subject. |
| Certificate | Approved by the Ministry of Education. |
| Residence | 5 years. |
Dubai's outstanding educator Golden Visa initiative
This is a separate Dubai education-sector programme. KHDA states that educators in early-childhood centres, schools and higher-education institutions in Dubai's private education sector may be considered based on exceptional academic achievements, innovative educational contributions, institutional improvement, positive educational community impact and improved student outcomes.
| KHDA educator criterion | Current policy evidence |
|---|---|
| Nomination | Principal nomination with board-of-governors approval and endorsement. |
| Student success | Evidence of student success in internal and external examinations and assessments. |
| Feedback | Positive feedback from students, parents and school leadership. |
| Emirati students | Demonstrated success in improving academic performance. |
| Students of determination | Demonstrated success in academic and social development. |
| Higher-education faculty | Evidence of research, grants, collaborations, consultancy reports or creative work, plus the applicable advanced qualification requirements. |
KHDA's 2025 first round awarded 223 Golden Visas from 435 educator applications. KHDA states that selection considered professional qualifications, achievements, contributions to education and society, and positive feedback from students, parents and the wider community.
Teacher screening checklist
Academic Golden Residency documentation
| Route | Important evidence |
|---|---|
| UAE university graduate | Degree, university classification, GPA, graduation date and MOE attestation. |
| International graduate | Top-100 university evidence, GPA, graduation date and MOE attestation. |
| High-school student | 95% result, MOE/local recommendation, ASI compliance and MOE-approved certificate. |
| Dubai educator | KHDA nomination, board endorsement and evidence of professional excellence/student/community impact. |
Related UAE Tools & Guides
2026 VerifiedFrequently Asked Questions
ICP — UAE Golden Residency: Current federal student and graduate categories
ICP — UAE University Graduates: Official 10-year graduate service
ICP — International University Graduates: Official international-graduate service
ICP — Outstanding High-School Students: Official 5-year student service
UAE Legislation — Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022: Official top-student and graduate legal requirements
KHDA — Outstanding Educators: Current Dubai educator Golden Visa policy
KHDA — Educator Policy: Detailed eligibility criteria