United Arab Emirates University

Visiting your child at UAE University usually means flying into Abu Dhabi (AUH) or Dubai (DXB), then a coach or car to Al Ain (~1.5-2 hr); Al Ain's own airport (AAN) has limited service. Plan the UAE visit visa ahead.

Getting from AAN to campus

Visitor visa for parents

Indian parents need a UAE visit (tourist) visa - one unified visa covers all seven emirates, so there is no separate Dubai, Sharjah or Abu Dhabi visa. It is applied for online (via the ICP Smart Services portal, an airline, a hotel, or a travel agency) and is fully electronic. Stays of 30, 60 or 90 days are available; a 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa exists for frequent visitors. Once you hold a UAE residence visa as a student or worker, you can also sponsor your parents directly on a family visit visa.

• One UAE visa covers all seven emirates - no separate visa to travel between Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and the rest.
• Applying directly through the ICP Smart Services portal is the cheapest route; airlines and agencies add a service fee.
• 90-day visas may require a refundable deposit (around AED 1,000), returned when your parents leave on time.
• Once you have UAE residence as a student, you may be able to sponsor your parents directly for a longer family stay.

Just admitted to UAE University (UAEU)? Here's your arrival checklist.

Arrival checklist

• Book your flight into Abu Dhabi (AUH) or Dubai (DXB) early, then connect to Al Ain by coach/car (~1.5-2 hr).
• UAE University offers on-campus housing - the easy, affordable first-year choice.
• Al Ain has the lowest cost of living of the UAE university cities - line up housing before arrival.
• Complete your university-sponsored residence visa, medical test and Emirates ID after arrival, and arrange health insurance (often included in fees - verify).

Al Ain, the 'Garden City' inland near the Oman border, has the lowest cost of living of the UAE's university cities - about AED 2,300-3,800 a month all-in sharing and cooking. Home to UAE University (the country's oldest), it is green, calm and family-friendly, with low rents and a relaxed pace. Tax-free salaries apply across the UAE.

Monthly cost of living in Al Ain (a student estimate)

That's roughly AED 27,500-45,000 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.

Finding accommodation

Al Ain rents are the lowest among the UAE university cities and usually quoted yearly; students share or use UAE University housing.

• Al Ain is the most budget-friendly UAE university city - low rents and a calm, green setting.
• Al Ain has its own airport (AAN); Abu Dhabi and Dubai are ~1.5-2 hr by road.
• Tax-free income applies UAE-wide; the relaxed pace suits focused study.

Working part-time

The UAE works differently from most study destinations. Your student residence visa is sponsored by your university (valid one year, renewable, with Emirates ID and medical). To work part-time or intern you need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your university plus a part-time work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) - there is no fixed weekly hour cap, but you must have that permission. Salaries are tax-free. There is no single automatic graduate work visa: after finishing, you either convert to an employer-sponsored work residence once you have a job offer (the employer sponsors it, valid 2-3 years), use a self-sponsored Green visa or a jobseeker visit visa, or - for outstanding graduates (high GPA, or a top-ranked university) - apply for a 5-10 year Golden visa. A Golden visa grants residence but you still need a MoHRE work permit to take a private-sector job.

Safety & student support

UAE University sits in one of the safest cities in the world - the UAE consistently ranks among the lowest globally for crime.

• UAE University has campus security and student services - save the campus number.
• UAE cities are exceptionally safe day and night, with reliable, modern public transport.
• Al Ain is a calm, very safe garden city.

Indian community & food

Al Ain has an established Indian community with desi grocers across the city.

Indian grocery stores

• Indian grocers and restaurants are spread across the city centre and main souqs.
• Mainstream Lulu Hypermarket and Carrefour carry large Indian and South Asian ranges.
• Selection is good; Abu Dhabi/Dubai are a drive away for a very large shop.

Student community

• UAE University has active Indian and South Asian student societies with Diwali and Holi events.
• Al Ain has a settled South Asian community and cultural organisations.

• A solid, affordable Indian food scene across the city.

Cost & living figures for Al Ain last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.