VISA PROCESS

Brief information about visa process

According to UAE law, all international students in UAE need a student visa. You will need to apply for a student visa if you are enrolling on a full-time course as a full-time student for an undergraduate or postgraduate programme at the Keynoverse Institute Dubai under the sponsorship of the University. If you are enrolling for part-time course, you will need to apply for other visa category which will not fall under the University sponsorship. This can either be a visa sponsored by parent, employment visa or any other category that may apply as per the policy guidelines set by GDRFA Govt of UAE.

Keynoverse Institute Dubai provides a straightforward visa sponsorship service for students on a full-time programme who are not UAE residents. This allows our students to study and reside in the country for a 12 month period, renewable each year to cover the duration of your programme. 

To qualify for Keynoverse Institute visa sponsorship and to start the process you should have accepted an offer for your full-time programme and have completed the online registration process and pre-requisite payments. Once you have registered, the admissions team will follow-up for any additional documents to commence visa process

General Information
Processing Time
Frequently Asked Questions

Visa Process Timeline

The new visa application process (to issue an entry visa) normally takes a minimum of 14 working days and all applications undergo a security check by UAE government authorities. Some applications may take up to 1 month to be processed, therefore it is essential to apply for your visa on time. Some visa applicants may also be required to submit additional documentation by the UAE government authorities (e.g. attested birth certificate, translated in Arabic). 

Please note below timelines for processing a student visa in UAE. You will need an entry permit (e-visa) to enter UAE, which will be sent to you by the Keynoverse Institute once your student e-visa is issued. Once you are in UAE we will start with the student residency card process.

Service Entry Permit (before arrival)
Normal
(Inside/Outside Country Application)		 Will take a minimum 14 working days from the date applied on Immigration system from the institute side
Express
(Inside/Outside Country Application)		 Will take 7-10 Working days from the date applied on the immigration system from the side of the Institute. (Additional charges)

 

Once you are in UAE, we will start with the residency card process which involves a medical fitness test and biometric to complete your residency. Once you have completed this, your residency will be processed, and emirates ID issuance will follow.

Service
 Residency (after arrival)
Normal
(Inside/Outside Country Application)		 The whole process will take 4-6 weeks from the date of arrival intimation/local amendment
Express
(Inside/Outside Country Application)		 Will take 3-4 Weeks from the date of arrival intimation/local amendment. But additional charges will be applicable

While your Emirates ID is in process you are strongly advised "NOT" to travel to or exit UAE on any other visa category. 

You will have to wait until: You have done biometrics and have received the EID card before planning your travel (this process only starts once you are inside UAE)

Failure to follow this guideline can have cost and other immigration implications and fines and will also delay your student visa application. 

Please note that these visa timelines are just for your information and may vary or take longer than expected depending on how busy the immigration office is at the time of student visa application and because of added security checks that may be required. 

The Institute does not have the authority over the issuance or approval of the visa as this is fully under UAE immigration discretion. The only role the Institute plays is to apply for the visa through the designated portal issued as the sponsor of the foreign students.

Please note that there will be a charge for the visa cancellation which is required to be paid when requesting for the cancellation. This is a separate charge from the visa application cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Requirements

Outside UAE application

  • Clear coloured passport copy
  • Passport size photo white background (taken from photo studio)
  • National ID (for Pakistan and Iran nationalities)
  • Police Clearance from home country (if requested by UAE Immigration)
  • Proof of payment for visa application

Inside UAE application

  • Clear coloured passport copy (with 6 months validity)
  • Passport size photo white background (taken from photo studio)
  • National ID (Pakistan and Iran nationalities)
  • Proof of payment for visa application
  • Tourist visa copy with entry stamp/cancellation document (whichever applies)
  • Emirates ID copy front and back (if applicable)
  • Visa copy (if applicable) 

You are required to clear the following before the visa is going to be applied:
1) Form Fees
2) Registration Charges
3) Visa Charges
4) Security Deposit
5) Medical Insurance
6) 25% of annual school fees
7) Proof of accommodation confirmation

1) Atleast 3-4 weeks for initial approval of entry permit
2) 4-6 weeks for Emirates ID processing formalities

Additional Information

Inside UAE application

  • Normal application: visa process will take 4-5 weeks from the date of application to Immigration
  • Express application: visa process will take 3-4 weeks from the date of application to Immigration

Outside UAE application

Normal application

  • Before arrival to UAE: entry permit will usually take a minimum 14 Working days from the date applied on immigration
  • After arrival: visa process will take 4-5 weeks from the date of application to immigration

Express application

  • Before arrival to UAE: entry permit will usually take 7-10 working days from the date applied on immigration
  • After arrival: visa process will take 3-4 weeks from the date of application to immigration

Timeline may also be affected due to additional checks and immigration procedures which may cause delays of issuance of visa/entry permit and Keynoverse Institute will have no control over this.

Student visa is valid for one year and is renewed annually as per students request until he/she completes the programme.

  • A renewal reminder email is sent to student’s official institute email prior to the expiry date
  • Visa renewal should be started at least 45 days before the expiry dates to avoid overstay fines and considering the lengthy visa renewal process
  • Students bear the cost of fines in case of delays due to late renewal application
  • Required documents and cost of renewal application will be included on the email reminder for renewal
  • So long as you are full time registered student and continuing the programme
  • Until your programme is complete
  • Changing from full time to part time makes you ineligible to keep the visa
  • There is no extension or renewal for the visa when a student graduates
  • Visa needs to be cancelled after completing the programme
  • You have to fill the online cancellation form and send us copies of your visa, passport and emirates ID
  • There are charges for the visa cancellation that needs to be paid. Proof of payment is required to proceed with the cancellation
  • It is highly suggested that visa cancellation is done before exiting UAE (if done with the studies or not continuing/renewing with university visa)
  • Visa cancellation is a must as visa does not automatically get cancelled regardless of if you are in or out of UAE and even if expired. A cancellation must be completed in order for the student to be cleared from immigration and Institute records
  • Non cancellation of visa will result to fines and the student will bear the cost
  • After cancellation, it is mandatory for the student to show proof of exit (exit stamp on cancellation permit) if leaving UAE or new visa copy if changing sponsorship and this will be forwarded to immigration for clearing the student record
  • If you succeed in securing a part time job, please note that you are still going to be a fulltime student and need to attend fulltime lectures.
  • The institute will then only provide you with NOC to work.
  • Else if you change to fulltime job then you will need to change your visa to the employers visa and change student status to part time thereby you will no longer be under the Institute visa