Visa InterviewsResearch

    Loading…

    VisaMind ↗

    Embassies and consulates · United Arab Emirates · Dubai

    Student and exchange visas at Dubai

    As of September 17, 2026, the State Department lists a 5 months wait for the next student and exchange visa appointment at Dubai, against a median of 15 days. 181 of 186 posts list a shorter wait.

    Source: U.S. Department of State: Global Visa Wait Times · Published 2026-09-17 · Retrieved 2026-10-15 · Coverage 2026-09-17

    Dubai student wait over time

    Dubai has ranged same day to 5 months across 23 months on record, and today's figure is at the high end. It has been faster before, so re-check before making an irreversible decision. The median over that time was 15 days.

    Jul 24same day – 5 monthsSep 26

    Source: U.S. Department of State: Global Visa Wait Times · Published 2026-09-17 · Retrieved 2026-09-17 · Coverage 2022-11/2026-09

    Check whether a Dubai appointment fits your program start date →

    The same wait elsewhere in United Arab Emirates

    Student and exchange (F, M, J), from the same State Department table. Applicants can usually interview at any post in their country of residence.

    Student and exchange visas issued at Dubai

    Dubai issued 45 student and exchange visas in February 2026, 61% more than February 2025 (28). 1,894 over the past 12 months (sum of monthly reports, not an official total). The count covers F-1, M-1, J-1 and their dependants.

    Nonimmigrant visas issued at Dubai each month, October 2022 to February 2026. The monthly figures are listed below the chart.02004006008002023202420252026
    Monthly figures
    MonthVisas issued
    Feb 202645
    Jan 202691
    Dec 202584
    Nov 202566
    Oct 202557
    Sep 202548
    Aug 2025200
    Jul 2025488
    Jun 2025238
    May 2025340
    Apr 2025132
    Mar 2025105
    Feb 202528
    Jan 202560
    Dec 2024109
    Nov 2024121
    Oct 2024180
    Sep 2024100
    Aug 2024276
    Jul 2024511
    Jun 2024500
    May 2024417
    Apr 2024151
    Mar 2024141
    Feb 202448
    Jan 2024141
    Dec 2023114
    Nov 2023137
    Oct 2023122
    Sep 202378
    Aug 2023494
    Jul 2023735
    Jun 2023422
    May 2023341
    Apr 2023122
    Mar 2023170
    Feb 202374
    Jan 2023190
    Dec 2022256
    Nov 2022253
    Oct 2022238
    Visa classFeb 2026Feb 2025Past 12 monthsSum of monthly reports, not an official total
    F1Academic student30161,573
    J1Exchange visitor83186
    F2Academic student's spouse or child4363
    M1Vocational student3141
    J2Exchange visitor's spouse or child0531

    Sources: U.S. Department of State: Monthly Immigrant Visa Issuances and U.S. Department of State: Monthly Nonimmigrant Visa Issuances · Retrieved 2026-10-15 · Coverage 2022-10/2026-02

    Get an email when the Dubai student visa figure changes

    Student and exchange (F, M, J): 5 months now

    We email you once each time the State Department publishes a different figure. Every email has an unsubscribe link.

    What F-1 Student Visa applicants report being asked

    These figures come from 440 interview reports that applicants shared publicly, at every post rather than Dubai alone. They describe who chose to report, not every applicant.

    53%

    Education questions

    In about 235 reports

    31%

    Financial questions

    In about 135 reports

    21%

    Employment questions

    In about 90 reports

    Source: Visa Interviews Research release 2026.07.18-us-v1 · Published 2026-07-18 · Coverage 2024-03 to 2026-07Every F-1 Student Visa finding →

    Other visas at Dubai

    Where these figures come from

    The State Department publishes each of these separately, on its own schedule. We show each one with its own date and never add figures from one to another.