After You Arrive

Your First Weeks in the UAE

A simple plan for your first days in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Tell your university you arrived and buy a SIM card. Then do the medical fitness test (a health check for the visa) and get your Emirates ID (the UAE identity card for people who live there).

United Arab Emirates Arrival Timeline

Buy a UAE SIM card: At AUS, buy it in the airport arrivals area.
Tell your university you arrived: Send a scan of your passport entry stamp and your entry permit.
Check in to your housing: Go to your university housing or the place you booked.

Priority
First 24 Hours: Right After You Land

Do these things on your first day.

Essential Tasks

Buy a SIM card (AUS: at the airport): At AUS, you need a UAE mobile number for the Emirates ID and residence visa.
Report your arrival: Email your university's visa team a scan of your passport entry stamp and your entry permit.
Reach your housing: Check in to university housing or your booked place.

Quick Tips

Emergency contacts to save

Police: 999
Ambulance: 998
Civil Defence (the fire service): 997

First Day Tips

Keep a colour copy of your entry permit with your passport.
Save your university's visa office number in your phone.
Do not book trips out of the UAE until your visa is done.
Keep your passport safe. You need it for the visa steps.

First 3 Days: Getting Started

Use your first days to report your arrival and learn your area.

Campus & Administration

Visit the visa office: Hand in what your university asks for, such as your passport and stamped entry permit.
Check your appointments: Watch your university email for the medical test and fingerprint dates.

Local Orientation

Learn your route: Find your route to campus by metro, bus or university shuttle.
Save key numbers: Save your university's visa office and the emergency numbers.

First Week: Visa Steps and Classes

Your first week is mostly steps for your student residence visa (the visa that lets you live in the UAE while you study), and starting at your university.

Official Registration

Medical fitness test: At a health centre run by the government. At AUS, students under 18 do not need it.
Emirates ID fingerprints: At an ICP centre, after the medical test. ICP is the UAE office for identity, citizenship and borders.
Finish enrolment: When you get your Emirates ID, send a copy to your university. AUS needs it so you can sign up for courses on time.

Social & Practical

Join orientation: Meet other students and learn where offices are.
Get a student transport card: In Dubai, ask for the nol Student Package in the nol Pay app.