If you studied outside the UAE, your degree certificate usually has to be attested before an employer, licensing authority or university here will accept it. For some jobs, especially teaching, engineering and medicine, you’ll also need a separate equivalency (now called a Certificate of Recognition) from the UAE’s higher education ministry.
This guide explains the difference between the two, the attestation steps in the right order, the official MoFA fees, and the mistakes that delay applications.
Attestation vs equivalency: what’s the difference?
| Attestation | Equivalency (Certificate of Recognition) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it confirms | That the degree certificate is a genuine document | That the qualification meets UAE academic standards |
| Who does it | Home-country authorities, the UAE Embassy, then MoFA in the UAE | The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) |
| Typically needed for | Many employment, visa and licensing processes | Teachers, engineers, medical staff, further study in the UAE, some government jobs, and certain Golden Visa categories |
Tip: ask your employer or licensing authority exactly what they need: attestation only, or attestation and equivalency. It decides how long the whole process takes.
How to attest a degree issued outside the UAE
- Get the certificate verified by the university or education authority in the country of study, if that country requires it.
- Get it notarised locally, where required.
- Get it attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country of study.
- Get it attested by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in that country.
- Get it attested by MoFA in the UAE through the MoFA website or the UAE MOFA app, signing in with UAE PASS.
- Get a legal translation if the degree is not in Arabic or English.
Transcripts are often needed too, especially for equivalency and university admission, so attest them together with the degree.
Official MoFA fees
| Item | MoFA fee |
|---|---|
| Degree certificate (personal document) | AED 150 |
| MoFA courier inside the UAE: normal (3 working days) | AED 40 |
| MoFA courier inside the UAE: express (1 working day) | AED 150 + VAT |
Fees in the country of study (university, notary, foreign ministry, UAE embassy), translation and service charges are separate and vary by country.
How the equivalency process works
As reported by Gulf News, the Certificate of Recognition is a two-stage online process:
- Degree verification through one of the ministry’s verification partners (Dataflow or QuadraBay). You receive a verification document and a reference number.
- Apply for the Certificate of Recognition on the ministry’s portal using UAE PASS, enter the reference number, and pay. The decision (“Recognised” or “Not Recognised”) arrives by email.
Gulf News reported the ministry’s stated timeline as 35 to 45 working days, though simple cases can be faster. Some applicants, depending on their field, may also need a travel report from immigration.
Common reasons for delay or rejection
- Laminated certificates. MoFA does not attest laminated documents.
- Steps done out of order. The country-of-study stamps must come before the UAE steps.
- Degrees from unrecognised institutions or distance-learning programmes that don’t meet UAE criteria for equivalency.
- Name differences between the degree, passport and visa documents.
- Forgetting the transcripts when the equivalency or licence also needs them.
Frequently asked questions
Is degree attestation required for a UAE work visa?
Many employers and job categories require an attested degree, especially for skilled roles. Requirements depend on the job and the employer, so confirm before you start.
How much does MoFA charge to attest a degree?
AED 150 per document, plus courier if you choose delivery. Country-of-study fees are separate.
Do I need an equivalency certificate as well?
Only for certain cases, such as teachers, engineers, medical staff, further study in the UAE, some government jobs and certain Golden Visa categories.
Can I attest my degree without travelling to my home country?
Often yes. The country-of-study steps can usually be done through an authorised representative there, and the UAE steps are online.
Get your degree attested the right way
Bin Gohar PRO Services coordinates degree and transcript attestation, legal translation and the documents that follow, for professionals and companies in Dubai and across all seven Emirates. Send us a photo of your certificate on WhatsApp at +971 50 178 9163 for the steps, cost and timeline, or see our document clearance services.
Also useful: UAE Document Attestation: Step-by-Step Guide and Marriage Certificate Attestation in the UAE.
Sources: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs — FAQs (requirements and fees); Gulf News — Equivalency certificates in the UAE; University of Birmingham Dubai — Attestation and MOHESR equivalency.
This guide gives general information. Requirements differ by country and profession and can change, so check with MoFA, MOHESR or your employer before you start.
