Abu Dhabi Details 10-Year Golden Visa Criteria for Top International University Graduates

The Abu Dhabi Residents Office (ADRO) has published an international university list and eligibility framework under the United Arab Emirates' 10-year Golden Visa residency programme for outstanding graduates, according to a report by Tıbbiye Bülteni.

Under the criteria set for graduates of institutions outside the UAE, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized university under UAE-approved international classifications, have graduated within the preceding two years, and possess a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5. Candidates must also obtain a formal degree equivalency certificate from the UAE's competent higher education authority, with all applications subject to official assessment and approval.

The published guidance contains 100 numbered positions featuring higher education institutions across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and other regions, including Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford, MIT, Johns Hopkins University, and Imperial College London. Two institutions—the University of Warwick and the University of Washington—are listed twice, resulting in 98 distinct universities. The source noted that document numbering reflects administrative listing rather than academic ranking order.

The framework forms part of Abu Dhabi's strategy to attract international human capital and support knowledge-based industries such as healthcare, biotechnology, engineering, and artificial intelligence. The report noted that official eligibility lists and criteria remain subject to administrative verification and periodic revisions.