Ajman University

Visiting your child at Ajman University means flying into Sharjah (SHJ, closest) or Dubai (DXB), both a short drive from Ajman. Plan the UAE visit visa ahead.

Getting from SHJ 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 Ajman University? Here's your arrival checklist.

Arrival checklist

• Book your flight into Sharjah (SHJ) or Dubai (DXB) early - both are close to Ajman.
• Short taxi from SHJ to campus, or fly into Dubai and drive over (~40-50 min).
• Ajman has the UAE's lowest rents - line up affordable housing before arrival; Sharjah/Dubai are close for work.
• Complete your university-sponsored residence visa, medical test and Emirates ID after arrival, and arrange health insurance (often included in fees - verify).

Ajman, the UAE's smallest emirate just past Sharjah, is among the most affordable places to study - about AED 2,300-3,700 a month all-in sharing and cooking, with the lowest rents in the country. Home to Ajman University, it has a large South Asian community and easy access to Sharjah and Dubai. Tax-free salaries apply across the UAE.

Monthly cost of living in Ajman (a student estimate)

That's roughly AED 27,500-44,000 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.

Finding accommodation

Ajman has the UAE's lowest rents, usually quoted yearly; students share or use Ajman University housing.

• Ajman has the lowest rents in the UAE - the main draw for budget-conscious students.
• Sharjah and Dubai are a short drive/bus away for work and bigger shopping.
• The nearest big airport is Sharjah (SHJ); Dubai (DXB) is also close. Tax-free income applies UAE-wide.

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

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

• Ajman University has campus security and student services - save the campus number.
• UAE cities are exceptionally safe day and night, with reliable, modern public transport.
• Ajman is a small, very safe emirate.

Indian community & food

Ajman has a large South Asian community, so desi groceries and food are easy to find.

Indian grocery stores

• Indian grocers and restaurants are common across Ajman's main streets and souqs.
• Mainstream Lulu Hypermarket, Carrefour and Safeer carry large Indian and South Asian ranges.
• Sharjah and Dubai (a short drive) add even more choice.

Student community

• Ajman University has active Indian and South Asian student societies with Diwali and Holi events.
• The emirate has a settled South Asian community.

• A good, affordable Indian food scene, with Sharjah/Dubai close by.

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