One of the features that makes AUS admired throughout the region is its multicultural environment. Our student body comprises approximately 90 nationalities from around the world, making our campus a beautiful blend of different cultures, ethnicities and religions.

AUS will apply for residence visas for full-time students who are:

International, non-resident and non-GCC national students

If you are an international, non-resident applicant who is not a GCC national and have been accepted to full-time study in an AUS undergraduate or graduate program, the university is able to provide you with a sponsored Student Residence Visa, enabling you to study and reside in the UAE.

You must apply for the Student Residence Visa before arriving to the UAE. The first step towards obtaining the student Residence Visa is to apply for the Entry Permit.

How do I apply for an Entry Permit?

First, please fill out the Student Visa Request form.

Then, prepare the required documents:

• a colored passport copy, valid for at least six months.
• four recent passport-size photos, white background and without sunglasses.
• your acceptance letter in Arabic (received from the Office of Enrollment Management)

Please email the form along with the required documents to VES@aus.edu.

OR send by courier to the following address:

American University of Sharjah
Visa and Equalization Services
Mezzanine Floor, Main Building, MM19
PO Box 26666
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

After we receive your documents, we will process your request and apply for the initial approval of the Entry Permit.

Once it is approved by the concerned UAE authorities, we will issue your Entry Permit and send it to you via the email address you have provided on the Student Visa Request form, in addition to your AUS student email.

You should use this permit to enter the UAE. The Entry Permit is valid for only 60 days from the date of issue. Once you have entered the UAE, your temporary visa will be valid only for 60 days from the date of entry.

Important Notes

• Please email or courier your Student Visa Request form and the required documents as soon as you receive your admission package from the Office of Enrollment Management.
• Don’t book your flight to the UAE until you receive your Entry Permit.
• In order to process your Entry Permit, you must pay your Seat Reservation Deposit (for undergraduate students only).
• Your passport must be valid for at least six months.
• The same passport must be used upon entering the UAE that is used in your Entry Permit application.
• Students should not apply for other visas for the UAE while AUS is processing their Entry Permit.
• If you use the Entry Permit to enter the UAE and then you decide to exit the country before your Student Residence Visa is issued, you then must fill out the  Residence Visa/Entry Permit Cancellation Request form and visit Visa and Equalization Services on the Mezzanine Floor of the Main Building, MM19.

After you arrive safely at AUS, you are kindly requested to apply for the Student Residence Visa.

How do I apply for the Student Residence Visa for international students?

First, fill out the Request for Visa Services Payment Form.

Then, please pay the required fee at the Cashier’s Office and get the form stamped.Submit the stamped form, your original passport and your Entry Permit to Visa and Equalization Services, Office MM19, Mezzanine Floor, Main Building.

How much the student visa will cost?

Student Type	Fee in AED (includes fee for medical test, Emirates ID, Residence Visa for 3 years; medical test not required for applicants under the age of 18)		Validity of the Student Visa
Undergraduate Students	If age below 18	820	3 years
	If age above 18	1,107
Graduate Students	907		2 years

Students who enter the UAE on a Visit Visa will be required to pay a different fee. Please see the Request for Visa Services Payment Form for more information.

If you decide to defer or withdraw your application, you should contact us as soon as possible at VES@aus.edu

Transferring a visa from the current sponsor to AUS

How do I transfer my visa to AUS?

First, fill out the Student Visa Request form.

Then, prepare your required documents:

• a colored copy of your passport (passport must be valid for at least six months)
• four recent passport-size photos(white background and without glasses)
• for new students: an acceptance letter in Arabic from the Office of Enrollment Management; for current students, an enrollment letter in Arabic from the Office of the Registrar that confirms your expected date of graduation
• a copy of your Emirates ID, both sides (if available)
• a copy of your Residence/Visit Visa

Submit the form along with the required documents to Visa and Equalization Services, Mezzanine Floor, Main Building, Office MM19.

After we receive your documents, we will process your request and apply for the initial approval.

Once it is approved by the concerned UAE authorities, we will notify you via your AUS student email and at this stage, you should cancel your current residence visa.

We will then ask you to hand in your original passport, complete the medical test, issue a new Emirates ID and pay the fee to transfer the visa and the fee for the residence visa.  

Fees to Transfer Your Visa to AUS

The fee for transferring the visa is 650 AED and the fee for the Residence Visa depends on the number of years for which your visa will be granted.

Three-Year Visa	AED 450
Two-Year Visa	AED 350
One-Year Visa	AED 250

Please fill out the Request for Visa Services Payment Form.

For more information, please visit Visa and Equalization Services, Office MM19, Mezzanine Floor, Main Building or email to VES@aus.edu.

AUS can also provide the following services:

Visa renewal for enrolled students

How do I renew my residence visa?

First, please fill out the Request for Visa Services Payment Form.

Then, prepare the required documents:

• original passport valid for at least six months
• a recent passport-size photo with a white background and without sunglasses
• an enrollment letter in Arabic from the Office of the Registrar confirming your  expected date of graduation
• your medical checkup results
• your Emirates ID Registration Form 

Submit the Request for Visa Services Payment Form along with the required documents to Visa and Equalization Services, Office MM19, Mezzanine Floor, Main Building.

Fees for Residence Visa Renewal  

The fee for the residence visa depends on the number of years for which your visa will be granted.

Three-Year Visa	AED 450
Two-Year Visa	AED 350
One-Year Visa	AED 250

Transfer of residence visa from one passport to another

How do I transfer my Residence Visa from one passport to another?

First, fill out the Request for Visa Services Payment Form.

Then, please pay the transfer fees of AED 500 at the Cashier’s Office (Mezzanine Floor, Main Building).

Submit the form along with the following documents to the Visa and Equalization Services, Mezzanine Floor, Main Building, Office MM19:

• old passport
• new passport
• recent passport-size photo (white background and without sunglasses)

 

Cancellation of Residence Visa/Entry Permit

How do I cancel my Residence Visa or Entry Permit?

First, please fill out the Residence Visa/Entry Permit Cancellation Request form.

Students must pay all pending fines/loans at the concerned UAE authorities before cancelling the Residence Visa/Entry Permit. This includes, but is not limited to, traffic fines, municipality fees and bank loans.

Then, please submit the Residence Visa/Entry Permit Cancellation Request Form along with the required documents listed below to the Visa and Equalization Services, Office MM19, Mezzanine Floor, Main Building.

Important: In order for your request to be processed, you will need to provide the following documents to Visa and Equalization Services:

• a copy of your passport copy
• a copy of your Residence Visa/Entry Permit