Equivalency Certificate Attestation in the UAE
Securing an Equivalency Certificate in the UAE establishes your immediate eligibility for government-sector employment, postgraduate admissions at UAE universities, and Golden Visa qualification under the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) current accreditation standards.
Equivalency Certificate UAE
An Equivalency Certificate in the UAE, also known as a Certificate of Recognition, is an official document issued by the Ministry of Education (MOE) confirming that a foreign academic qualification such as a high school diploma, bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD meets UAE academic standards. This validation is mandatory for employment, professional licensing, higher education admission, teacher registration, and certain visa categories, including the Golden Visa and highly skilled/Level 1 visa. It ensures that your degree is genuine, earned from an accredited institution, and aligned with the UAE’s academic criteria.
MOE Equivalency Certificate Attestation
Many applicants confuse the MOE Equivalency Certificate with certificate attestation, but they serve different purposes:
Attestation: Confirms that a document’s seals, stamps, and signatures are genuine and have been issued by the proper authorities in the country of origin and the UAE.
Equivalency: Confirms that the educational content, level, and standard of your degree or diploma meet the UAE’s Ministry of Education (MOE) academic criteria.
In simple terms: Attestation verifies the authenticity of the paper. Equivalency verifies the value of the qualification.
Who Needs an Equivalency Certificate in UAE?
Equivalency Certificate in the UAE is mandatory for professionals in regulated sectors across all Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah):
- Healthcare: Doctors (MBBS/MD), Nurses, Pharmacists
- Engineering: Civil/Mechanical/Electrical Engineers (for SOE card, ERD
- Education: School Teachers (KHDA/ADEK), University Professors, Academic Researchers
- Golden Visa Applicants: Highly Skilled Professionals, Researchers, Senior Executives
- Government & Corporate Roles: Any position requiring MOE‐validated degrees
Note: Distance-learning degrees are recognized under the new “University Certificates Recognition UAE” system except certain licensed professions.
- CERTIFICATE ATTESTATION
- UK Certificate Attestation
- US Certificate Attestation
- Canada Certificate Attestation
- German Certificate Attestation
- Kuwait Certificate Attestation
- UAE Certificate Attestation
- Australian Certificate Attestation
- Indian Certificate Attestation
- TYPES OF DOCUMENTS
- Education Document Attestation
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
Equivalency Certificate & Certificate of Recognition in the UAE
An Equivalency Certificate from the UAE Ministry of Education is essential to validate foreign academic qualifications for use within the UAE. It ensures that your degree meets local academic standards, helping prevent fraud, misrepresentation, or mismatch with UAE’s regulated systems.
Professional Recognition
- Education Standards Compliance: Confirms your international degree meets equivalent UAE educational levels
- Professional Licensing: Before you can obtain a professional license from authorities like the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the Department of Health (DOH), or register with the Society of Engineers, your degree must first be deemed equivalent by the Ministry of Education (MOE).
Immigration Purposes in UAE
- Golden Visa Processing: Mandatory for skilled professionals and academics applying under Golden Visa categories
- Visa and Residency Requirements: It is a critical document for securing premier long-term residency. It is mandatory for professionals applying for the UAE Golden Visa and is also required for many highly skilled (Level 1 & 2) work visas.
Career Advancement
- Employment barriers: 89% of UAE government sector jobs mandate equivalency certificates
- Employment in Key Sectors: It is essential for securing jobs in the government, semi-government entities, and many regulated private sector fields. Professions like engineering, healthcare (doctors, nurses), and education (teachers, professors) require it to verify your credentials.
Mandatory for Higher Education Admission
If you plan to enroll in postgraduate studies (like a Master’s or PhD program) at a university in the UAE, you will need to provide an equivalency certificate for your previous degree.
The UAE Ministry of Education requires all enrolled students to obtain a certificate of equivalency for their secondary education certificates when pursuing higher studies. Universities like American University of Sharjah and all universities in the UAE strictly enforce this requirement for all international students.
In the UAE, an Equivalency Certificate is required for a range of educational documents obtained from outside the country. The Ministry of Education (MoE) issues this certificate to confirm that your foreign academic credentials meet UAE standards for employment, higher education, or professional licensing.
Main Types of Documents That Require Equivalency
High School/Secondary School Certificates
- For students seeking university admission in the UAE, attested high school certificates (and, in some cases, transcripts from the last three years) must be submitted for equivalency.
Diploma, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate Degrees
- Anyone with post-secondary qualifications (diploma, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees) from outside the UAE who wishes to use them for employment, further studies, or licensing must obtain an equivalency certificate.
Professional Certificates
- In some regulated sectors, professional certificates or licenses (such as those for engineers, healthcare professionals, or teachers) also require equivalency if they were obtained abroad.
Some applicants may also require a genuineness letter from their educational institution, especially if their country is listed by the UAE MOE as requiring additional verification.
Special Notes
- All documents must be properly attested by the relevant authorities in the country of issuance, the UAE embassy in that country, and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs before submission.
- Translation: If documents are not in English or Arabic, certified translations are required.
Required Documents for Equivalence Certificate in the UAE
An equivalence certificate is a crucial process for validating academic qualifications obtained outside the UAE. The process is managed by the Ministry of Education (MOE) for high school certificates and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) for university degrees. As of November 1, 2024, university equivalence certificate services have been officially transitioned to MOHESR, consolidating all higher education services under one unified authority.
General Requirements for All Applications
Regardless of the type of certificate being submitted for equivalency, certain documents are required across all applications:
- Valid Emirates ID card (for UAE residents)
- Valid passport copy and visa page
- ICA travel report (for specific cases)
- Legal translation of certificates if not in Arabic or English
High School Equivalency Certificate Requirements
To apply for a high school equivalency certicate, the following documents are required:
- Original and certified graduation certificate for grade 12
- Original and certified transcripts/mark sheets for grades 10, 11, and 12
- For Muslim students, certificates of Islamic education studies
- Any additional testing certificates such as TOEFL, IELTS, or EmSAT (depending on the curriculum)
University Degree Equivalency Requirements
For Bachelor's Degree Equivalency
- Certified bachelor’s degree certificate
- Official transcripts/mark sheets from the university
- Certified high school certificate (mandatory for MOE application)
- Proof of regular attendance in the country where studies were conducted
- Academic records for any transferred credit hours from each educational institution
For Master's Degree Equivalency
- Certified master’s degree certificate
- Official transcripts
- Certified bachelor’s degree certificate and transcripts
- Any previous equivalency certificates
- Document specifying the start date of studies if not shown in academic records
- Copy of research abstract and official letter from the university for master’s and doctoral degree equivalency
For PhD Degree Equivalency
- Certified PhD certificate
- Official transcripts
- Certified master’s degree certificate and transcripts
- Certified bachelor’s degree certificate and transcripts
- Research abstract and official letter from the university
How to Get Equivalency Certificate in UAE ?
Step-by-Step Process of UAE Equivalency Certificate
Obtaining the certificate involves more than just a direct application to the MoE. Your documents must first go through a multi-stage attestation and verification process.
Phase 1: Document Attestation
Before you can even apply for equivalency, your educational documents must be officially attested. This is a formal process of verifying their authenticity through a series of stamps.
Step 1: Gather Your Core Documents
You will need clear copies and the originals of the following:
- Degree/Diploma Certificate: The final certificate you were awarded.
- Official Academic Transcripts/Mark Sheets: A complete record of all subjects and grades.
- High School Certificate: For bachelor’s degree equivalency, you often need to provide your attested high school certificate as well.
- Valid Passport Copy
- Valid Emirates ID Copy (if you are a UAE resident)
- Legal Translation: If your documents are in a language other than Arabic or English, they must be legally translated by a certified translator.
Step 2: Home Country Attestation
Your documents must first be certified in the country where you studied:
- Ministry of Education (or equivalent regional authority).
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of that country.
Step 3: UAE Embassy Attestation
After being stamped by the foreign ministry in your home country, the documents must be attested by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in that same country.
Step 4: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Attestation
Once you have the documents in the UAE, they must receive a final attestation from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
Phase 2: Degree Verification
Step 5: Verify Genuineness (DataFlow / QuadraBay)
The MoE requires you to have your degree’s authenticity verified by an approved third-party service. The most common is the DataFlow Group.
- You will submit your documents to them online.
- They will contact your university directly to confirm that your degree is genuine.
- Once complete, you will receive a verification report with a unique reference number, which is required for the MoE application.
Phase 3: MoE Application
Step 6: Submit the Equivalency Application
With all attestations and the verification report complete, you can now apply to the Ministry of Education.
- Log in to the MoE Portal: Use your UAE PASS to access the online e-services portal.
- Fill the Application: Complete the online form, ensuring all details perfectly match your attested documents.
- Upload Documents: Upload clear digital copies of all required documents, including the full set of attestations and your DataFlow verification report.
- Pay the Fees: Pay the required application fees online.
- Receive the Certificate: The MoE will review your complete application. Once approved, the digital Equivalency Certificate will be issued and sent to your registered email.
Top 10 Reasons for Rejecting Equivalency Certificate in UAE
The UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) processes thousands of equivalency certificate applications annually. However, many applications face rejection for specific reasons. Understanding these common rejection grounds can help applicants prepare properly and increase their chances of approval.
Common Reasons for Equivalency Certificate Rejection
- Missing or incomplete required documents: Failure to provide all necessary paperwork, including attested certificates, transcripts, and supporting documentation.
- Information mismatch : Discrepancies between passport details and educational records, including name spellings, birth dates, or nationality information.
- Unrecognized educational institutions: Degrees from universities not accredited by UAE authorities or not listed in the MoE’s recognized institutions database.
- Improper document attestation: Failure to complete the full chain of authentication: issuing country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UAE Embassy in that country, and UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Non-compliance with UAE academic standards: Programs failing to meet UAE credit-hour requirements or lacking core curriculum components for specific fields.
- Missing supporting documentation: Absence of essential supplementary materials such as university letters confirming study dates, research abstracts for postgraduate degrees, or ICA Travel Reports.
- Insufficient residency proof: Lack of evidence showing regular attendance and physical presence in the country where studies were conducted.
- Expired identity documents: Submission of expired passports, visas, or interim certificates that are no longer valid.
- Credential authentication failure: Inability to verify qualification legitimacy through the Ministry’s approved verification partners like Dataflow or Quadra Bay.
How to Avoid Rejection
To prevent certificate equivalency rejection, applicants should:
- Verify institutional recognition before beginning studies
- Ensure all documents are properly attested by relevant authorities
- Double-check personal information consistency across all documents
- Provide comprehensive evidence of physical attendance for programs
- Submit complete transcripts showing all courses and credit hours
Rejected applicants can appeal through the Ministry’s Reconsideration Committee by providing additional documentation or addressing the specific reasons for rejection.
How Long Does the Entire Attestation Process Take?
Timelines are highly unpredictable and depend heavily on the country where your documents were issued, the efficiency of all the authorities involved, courier times, and whether you use a service agency. As a general estimate, be prepared for the process to take anywhere from 1.5 to 3 months, and potentially longer for complex cases or documents from certain countries. Always start this process well in advance.
FAQs
Foreign educational documents must be attested from the Ministry of foreign affairs of UAE which is the last step in the process. Ministry of foreign affairs UAE will demand a UAE Embassy stamp from the country of origin. Once the attestation process is completed the document must be submitted in the Ministry of education along with other sets of the document for approval.
Type of document and the country of document origin determines the process. Some countries allow copies to be attested.
Submission at Ministry of Education or MOHESR (Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research) can be done after certificate attestation is completed.
Our office is located in Al Qusais 2, OFFICE NO: 411 Abdulla Al Fahad Building 2 – near Al Twar Centre – Al Qusais 2 – Dubai
Documents are to be attested as per specific requirements of Ministry of Education / MOHESR authorities.
MOFA attestation is essential for school certificate recognition and UAE degree equivalency. MOFA UAE is the final government authority who stamp a non-UAE certificates intended to be used in UAE. It is a mandated step for Equivalency certificate.
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Which Golden Visa Categories Require Equivalency Certificates?
Golden Visa categories requiring degree equivalency certificates include:
- Managers and Chief Executives with monthly salaries of AED 30,000 or higher
- Engineers in various disciplines
- Medical doctors and healthcare specialists
- Scientists and researchers
- Other highly skilled professionals
Why Do People choose GloboPrime for MOE Equivalency Certificates
Contact GloboPrime today for a free consultation and personalized quote. We’ll guide you through the process and ensure your documents are attested accurately and efficiently. Visit our office or call us today! Let UAE’s most trusted attestation partner handle your Equivalency Certificate application.
GloboPrime: UAE Ministry of Education Equivalency Process Experts
Are you aiming to have your educational qualifications recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education (MOE)? GloboPrime can be your trusted guide through this process!
Your Trusted Partner for UAE Equivalency Certificates
- A Legacy of Experience: Your Trusted Partner for UAE Equivalency: Globoprime has been assisting clients since 2019, with the UAE equivalency process establishing expertise in the field.
- Officially Recognized: As featured in Gulf News, our credibility is backed by real media presence.
- MOE Requirements: We offer advice based on our in-depth knowledge of Ministry of Education (MOE) requirements, backed by expertise and experience.
- Eligibility Check: Before initiating the process, we thoroughly evaluate documents to ensure clients meet eligibility criteria, aiming to prevent disappointments, wasted time, and money.
- Up-to-Date Information: We stay informed about any changes in the MOE equivalency process and regularly update our knowledge through monitoring the MOE portal.
- Document Collection Guidance: We assist clients in collecting all necessary documents and advise them on which documents may be required by MOE during the equivalency process, thus setting clear expectations from the outset.
- Follow-Up Verification: We provide unparalleled follow-up verification services, keeping clients updated on each step of the verification process.
- Relations with Verification Entities: We boast positive relationships with both verification entities, which may facilitate smoother processes for clients.
- Clear Communication: We emphasize clear communication, ensuring that clients understand each step of the process and their requirements.
- Guidance on Additional Documents: If additional documents are required during the verification process, we offer assistance and guidance to help clients secure them.
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We are confident in our ability to assist you in obtaining your equivalency certificate. Globoprime maintains a 99% success rate, a testament to our in-depth knowledge, streamlined processes, and dedication to client satisfaction.
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Contact Our Equivalency Certificate Specialists Today
Don’t let documentation challenges limit your professional opportunities in the UAE. Our team of attestation experts is ready to guide you through every step of the equivalency certificate process.
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Recognition of GloboPrime by Gulf News
“Equivalency certification is the process by which the Ministry of Education endorses the educational qualification and confirms the education to be equal to UAE’s standard.” Donna Dsouza, General Manager GloboPrime Attestation Services (quoted by Gulf News)
This endorsement reflects our deep understanding of the MOE’s updated “University Certificates Recognition” system, and our continued commitment to providing accurate, compliant, and efficient equivalency support across all Emirates including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and beyond.
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