High hopes for impact of new student visa policy

The Dubai International Academic City is expecting an influx of universities looking to set up there once the new student visa extension policy is implemented by the end of this year, writes Sarwat Nasir for Khaleej Times.

Mohammad Abdullah, managing director of the Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) and the Dubai Knowledge Park, said they would be extremely selective when it comes to the universities that start branches in DIAC. Abdullah said the new visa extension policy would bring several changes to the UAE education industry, especially in Dubai, seeing an influx of students, universities and an increased ability to retain top talent.

The new visa policy for students was announced last week, enabling a five-year residency visa for all students (instead of the current one-year), a 10-year visa for academically exceptional students and a visa extension after graduation for students who live as dependants of their parents here. The move is aimed at helping them secure employment after their studies.
Full report on the Khaleej Times site