Abu Dhabi has announced a minimum grade point average that foreign graduates must hold to qualify for the 10-year Golden Visa, the long-term residence permit that the United Arab Emirates grants to selected skilled residents.

The announcement establishes a fixed academic threshold as an eligibility criterion for graduates who apply under the Golden Visa programme. The visa runs for ten years and does not require a sponsor, which distinguishes it from standard residence permits in the Emirates.

What does the new rule change?

The change defines the GPA that a graduate must have achieved to enter the Golden Visa application track. Applicants who fall below the announced threshold will not qualify through the graduate route.

The rule applies to foreign graduates of universities in Abu Dhabi. It sets one uniform academic bar for the eligibility assessment.

Who is affected?

The measure targets two groups:

• Foreign nationals who have completed university degrees in Abu Dhabi and want to remain in the Emirates long term;
• Current students approaching graduation who plan to apply for the Golden Visa once they receive their final grades.

Why does the GPA threshold matter?

The Golden Visa is the UAE's flagship long-term residence instrument. A ten-year term gives holders stable residency without the employer-sponsorship requirement that governs ordinary permits.

A published GPA floor converts a discretionary assessment into a measurable criterion. Applicants can now check their final transcript against the announced minimum before they file.

What should applicants do next?

Graduates should verify the exact GPA figure against their academic records and confirm current requirements with the official channels that administer the Golden Visa scheme. Criteria for long-term visas in the Emirates have changed repeatedly in recent years, and only the issuing authorities can confirm the rules that apply to an individual case.

Passport File does not provide individual legal advice. Readers should rely on official UAE government sources for the precise threshold and application procedure.

Abu Dhabi has drawn the line, and graduates now know where it sits.