UAE Emerges As A Rising Destination For International Students Amid U.S. Visa Policy Concern
Universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are witnessing a spike in number of applications from international students following the increasing level of uncertainty surrounding US student visa policy. Colleges in the United Arab Emirates are presenting themselves as viable options for students reconsidering enrolling in the United States because of their efficient visa process, desirable scholarship offers, and flexible campus transfer policies.
According to a report by Gulf News, this shift comes in response to policy turbulence in the U.S., where recent government actions have left many international students anxious about their future. A proclamation by U.S. President Donald Trump, which sought to bar international students from certain universities, even though it was blocked by a federal judge, heightened concerns among prospective students and their families.
UAE universities new initiatives
An Excellence Scholarship for the September 2025 intake has been announced by Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD).
Top-performing postgraduate applicants are eligible to get full tuition cost waivers through this grant. "To support exceptional postgraduate students, we've launched a new Excellence Scholarship...offering up to 100 percent off tuition fees for top-ranked applicants from globally ranked universities," SUAD Head of Communications Camille Assouline told Gulf News. Academic achievement and IELTS scores will be used to make the selection.
Similarly, Gulf Medical University (GMU) is ramping up its international engagement by conducting webinars, digital counselling sessions, and campus tours to help students and parents make informed decisions.
Flexibility is another option for International students. Students can start their studies in Dubai and go to other campuses in Edinburgh or Kuala Lumpur as they advance through Heriot-Watt University's Go Global program. Heriot-Watt University Dubai's provost and vice principal, Professor Dame Heather McGregor, stated that students are free to move between campuses if they decide to pursue their studies in the UK in the future.
The United Arab Emirates seems to be headed towards being a popular destination for higher education, especially for students who are caught in the crossfire of global policy changes, thanks to its robust infrastructure, expanding academic recognition, and policies that welcome talent from around the world.
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