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Living in the UAE

From the UAE to a European university

Many families in the UAE look at Europe for its universities, English-taught degrees and routes to work after graduating. We help you choose the country and course, and prepare your visa file from Dubai to the official requirements.

Check my optionsGermany from the UAE

Your options

Where students from the UAE go in Europe

  • Germany: little or no tuition at most public universities, up to 18 months after graduating to find work, and a route to permanent residence.
  • Spain: private universities with January, May and September starts.
  • Malta: an English-speaking EU country, with several starts a year at private colleges.

Visa rules depend on your nationality and where you live, not only on the country you want to study in. Our guides above are written for applicants in the UK; for the UAE we check the rules of the mission that covers you.

Germany

The German student visa from the UAE

You apply to the German Consulate General in Dubai, which handles visa applications from people who live in the UAE (the Abu Dhabi Embassy no longer handles consular matters).source

  1. AdmissionYour German university admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid), or a place at a Studienkolleg.
  2. APS certificate, if it appliesNeeded if your school leaving certificate or undergraduate degree is from an Indian, Chinese or Vietnamese institution.source
  3. FundsAt least €11,904 for the first year (€992 a month), usually in a blocked account; a scholarship or a formal obligation letter from a sponsor in Germany can also count.
  4. ApplyBook an appointment and apply in person at the Consulate General in Dubai. You send a copy of your UAE residence visa when booking.
  5. DecisionThe Consulate says processing can take 6 to 12 weeks, so apply well before your course starts.

FAQ

Questions we’re asked about United Arab Emirates

Where do I apply for a German student visa from the UAE?

At the German Consulate General in Dubai, which handles visa applications from people who live in the UAE (the Abu Dhabi Embassy no longer handles consular matters). Book an appointment and apply in person at the Consulate General in Dubai. You send a copy of your UAE residence visa when booking.

How much money do I need to show for Germany?

At least €11,904 for the first year of study (€992 a month), usually in a blocked account. A scholarship or a formal obligation letter from a sponsor living in Germany can also count.

Do I need an APS certificate?

Yes, if your school leaving certificate or undergraduate degree is from an Indian, Chinese or Vietnamese institution. Many Gulf residents studied in India, so we check this early: it adds time.

Can I start sooner than October?

Often, yes. Many private universities in Germany, Spain and Malta start in January, May and September.

Planning Europe from the UAE?

Tell us your nationality, qualifications and budget. We’ll tell you which countries and intakes fit, and prepare your application and visa with you.

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Sources (checked 12 October 2026)

This page is general information, not immigration advice. Rules change, so we check them again for your case.