UAE stands to gain by launching post-study work visas to retain graduates

Dubai: UAE stands to gain immensely by providing post-study work visas to students who have graduated from universities in the UAE.

This would offer college graduates more time to seek employment and contribute to the country’s economy, a leading immigration consultant told Gulf News.

Currently, UAE college graduates are required to leave the country once they complete their education. According to Clint Khan, Director of Y-Axis, this timeframe is far shorter than the extended post-study visas offered by countries like Canada, the UK, Germany, and Australia. These countries offer post-study work visas for anything between 1-3 years. Apart from international migration, Y-Axis also offers counselling and documentation processing for students wishing to study abroad.

The UAE student visa is given for a duration of one year at a time and renewable for a similar period upon proof of continuation of a study issued by the educational institute where the student is studying. At the same time, the 10-year Golden visa is also given to outstanding students, according to sources in the education sector. In some cases, students also find jobs in the companies where they are doing their final-year internships, said an educator.

Khan pointed out that the UAE is well-positioned to capture a larger share of the global education market by introducing reforms that allow graduates to stay and work longer.

“If they had a better visa process for students, the UAE could become a top destination for international students. The UAE could really benefit from offering something similar to what Canada, UK, and Germany are doing,” explained Khan.

Post-study work visa visas are a huge draw even for students travelling abroad from the UAE for higher education. “The UAE has a lot to offer, but they need to adjust the visa policies to retain graduates. Imagine how many students would flock here if they knew they could stay and work for a while after graduation,” he added.

As the UAE continues developing its position as a global hub for education, Khan said he hopes to develop an education platform to connect students with universities offering specialised courses, such as AI and business.

However, he also said that the success of such initiatives is contingent upon revising current visa policies. “If the UAE allowed students to stay longer, it would open up so many opportunities,” he noted. With a more attractive visa offer, the UAE could see a significant uptick in international students and graduates choosing to remain and contribute to the local economy.