UAE — Study (Funded master's and PhD (e.g. Khalifa University, MBZUAI))

Current status for Iranians (most important)

As of October 2026 this route is effectively closed to anyone applying from Iran on an Iranian passport. The UAE embassy in Tehran has been closed since 1 March 2026; travel agents report that new UAE entry permits for Iranians have been on hold since mid-March; from 1 April 2026 UAE airlines announced that Iranian nationals may not enter or transit, except a few groups such as Golden Visa holders and spouses/children of Emirati citizens; and many Iranians abroad reported their residence visas being cancelled. On 2 April the UAE foreign ministry rejected 'inaccurate' media claims about the residency status of the Iranian community, but said nothing about new visas. A travel site updated on 7 September 2026 says it can no longer verify a blanket entry ban, yet as of mid-October 2026 we found no official ICP, GDRFA or MoFA announcement that visas for Iranians have reopened.

On 19 August 2026 the UAE halted all trade, commercial exchange and financial transactions with Iran until further notice, and on 23 September 2026 the Central Bank barred Bank Melli Iran's UAE branches from any transactions to or from Iran, so paying tuition or moving money from Iran is practically impossible. On 24 September 2026 the UAE civil aviation authority (GCAA) suspended all flights by Iranian airlines until further notice; reports say Iran in turn closed its airspace to UAE carriers, and we found no news of direct flights resuming.

Don't spend money (applications, deposits, translations) until an official reopening is announced. The rest of this text describes the general UAE rules that apply once things reopen.

Main requirements

According to Khalifa University's official page, scholarship eligibility is assessed with admission and no separate application is needed. Master's: tiers I–II give full tuition, textbooks, free housing, insurance, flights and visa fees; tier III half tuition; tier IV only textbooks, insurance, flights and visa. Master's students get no monthly stipend. PhD has two paths: the Research Path with full or partial tuition and a AED 20,000 monthly stipend plus up to AED 20,000 allowance, on condition that you work for KU or a nominated entity after graduation for as long as you studied; and the Study Path with no work commitment, AED 2,000–4,000 a month and housing. KU's page states no nationality restriction. MBZUAI (AI university) reportedly gives a full scholarship to every admitted MSc/PhD student (secondary sources); we couldn't confirm stipend amounts on its official pages.

Documents

Bachelor's (and for PhD master's) degree and transcripts with certified translation; language score; CV; statement or research proposal; recommendation letters; passport. The degree must be from an institution recognised in the UAE.

Language

Teaching is in English. Khalifa University asks IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 91 and a minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 4 for master's; MBZUAI's 2024 admission policy asks IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90. Check each university's admissions page for the current score.

Costs and proof of funds

With a full scholarship, your main costs are the language test, translations, applications and initial travel. Lower tiers mean you pay part of tuition and living yourself.

Steps and timeline

Language test and GRE if needed; find a supervisor/topic (PhD); apply by the deadline; interview; admission and scholarship; the university obtains the student entry permit; arrival, medical test and Emirates ID.

Notes for Iranian applicants

Besides the current visa freeze: the scholarship removes most money-transfer problems, but the stipend is paid inside the UAE and reports say Iranians are finding it harder to use UAE bank accounts. Graduates of free public programmes must cancel or buy out their service obligation to get their original degree; male applicants subject to conscription need an exit permit.

After arrival (work during studies, post-study stay, permanent residence)

KU's Research Path includes a post-study work commitment, which itself creates a work route in the UAE. Students can work part-time with a MOHRE permit. There is no European-style permanent residence; PhD holders and specialists in priority fields can look at the 10-year golden visa.