Why do I have two visas and what is the investment required for the visa?
You likely have two visas because your program spans two countries, often a UK campus and a UAE campus under one degree. Each country issues its own student visa with separate fees: the UK charges GBP 558 plus GBP 776 a year, and the UAE charges several thousand AED.
You most likely have two visas because your degree program spans two countries, commonly a UK campus and a UAE campus under one twinning or dual location degree. Each country requires its own separate student visa, with its own fees, health cover, and documentation.
Visa Costs by Country
| Item | UK Student Visa | UAE Student Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee | GBP 558 | Entry permit and residence visa, several thousand AED total |
| Health cover | GBP 776 Immigration Health Surcharge per year | Mandatory health insurance, cost varies by provider |
| Living cost proof | GBP 1,171 to 1,529 per month, depending on city | AED 3,500 to 6,500 per month |
| Other charges | None besides the above | Emirates ID, medical test, document attestation |
Why Two Separate Visas Are Normal
- Twinning degrees: universities running a program partly in the UK and partly in the UAE require separate residency status in each country.
- Sovereign requirements: the UK and UAE each set their own immigration rules, so one visa does not cover the other.
- Exchange or transfer years: a year abroad within your program can also require a second, temporary student visa.
My Advice
Check your offer letter and university's program structure to confirm exactly which country you will be in and when, since that determines which visa you need first. Budget for both sets of fees, insurance, and living cost proof from the start, rather than assuming one visa's cost will simply repeat for the other, since the UK and UAE requirements differ significantly.
Not sure which documents your UAE visa needs?
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