UAE Announces Automatic Degree Recognition (2026): Is Your University on the List?
Last Updated: January 15, 2026 | Category: Attestation & Equivalency News | Reading Time: 6 Minutes
Major news for graduates in the Emirates: The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has officially launched its automatic degree recognition initiative. As part of the national “Zero Government Bureaucracy” program, graduates from 34 UAE-based universities can now bypass traditional paper-based verification for local use, receiving instant recognition.
This comprehensive guide covers the MoHESR new degree rules 2026, the UAE degree attestation requirements, and the digital recognition system UAE, which graduates qualify, what happens if your university is not included, and when degree attestation or recognition is still required. We also clarify who still needs manual degree verification in UAE and professional attestation services.
What is the New “Automatic Recognition” Initiative?
In a move to achieve “Zero Government Bureaucracy,” the MoHESR has eliminated the need for manual equivalency letters for graduates of 34 specific UAE higher education institutions.
Previously, graduates had to submit physical documents and wait weeks for qualification equivalency UAE. Now, through a digital integration between universities and the Ministry, your degree is “issued recognized.” You receive a digital recognition record generated automatically through MoHESR’s integrated system.
Key Benefits:
- Instant Degree Verification UAE: No waiting period for government jobs or visa adjustments within the UAE.
- Paperless Degree Recognition UAE: No need to upload transcripts or visit happiness centers for these specific degrees.
- Digital Qualification Confirmation UAE: A secure, MoHESR’s internal digital verification systems that employers can verify instantly.
- 25,000+ Graduates have already benefited in the pilot phase.
List of UAE Universities Eligible for Automatic Degree Equivalency (MoHESR 2026)
As part of the UAE’s zero-bureaucracy education reforms, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) officially confirmed 34 UAE-based universities under Phase 1 of the Automatic Degree Recognition system on 14 January 2026.
Graduates from these institutions receive automatic degree equivalency, meaning no manual equivalency certificate application is required for employment, residency, licensing, or further study in the UAE.
Federal & Public Universities With Automatic Equivalency
Degrees issued by the following federal and government institutions are instantly recognized through the MoHESR digital equivalency system:
- United Arab Emirates University
- Zayed University
- Higher Colleges of Technology
- Khalifa University
- Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities
- Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Abu Dhabi Polytechnic
- Fatima College of Health Sciences
- Al Qasimia University
- Rabdan Academy
Note: Degrees from these universities qualify for automatic equivalency in the UAE, eliminating the need for a separate equivalency certificate.
Private & International Universities Approved for Automatic Degree Equivalency
The following private and international universities are fully integrated into MoHESR’s equivalency platform, allowing graduates to bypass the traditional degree equivalency certificate process:
- American University of Sharjah
- University of Sharjah
- Abu Dhabi University
- American University in Dubai
- University of Wollongong in Dubai
- Heriot-Watt University Dubai
- Canadian University Dubai
- Ajman University
- American University of Ras Al Khaimah
- University of Dubai
- Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
- Gulf Medical University
- RAK Medical and Health Sciences University
- The British University in Dubai
- Al Ain University
- Amity University Dubai
- City University Ajman
- Jumeira University
- Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation
- Al Wasl University
- Imam Malik College for Sharia and Law
- American University in the Emirates
- Liwa College
Important Note on Degree Equivalency & University Inclusion
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) is the sole official authority responsible for degree equivalency, equivalency certificates, and the inclusion or removal of universities under the Automatic Degree Recognition system in the UAE.
This list of universities is subject to change at the discretion of MoHESR. The Ministry may add new institutions, suspend eligibility, or expand automatic equivalency coverage in future phases without prior notice. Graduates and employers are strongly advised to verify the latest equivalency status directly through MoHESR’s official digital platforms before relying on automatic degree recognition.
“Only MoHESR-issued recognition is legally valid for degree equivalency in the UAE. Any automatic or manual equivalency certificate must originate from or be validated by MoHESR to be accepted by government authorities, employers, and licensing bodies.”
Who Still Needs Attestation & Equivalency?
The new rule is fantastic for local graduates remaining in the UAE. However, it does not cover everyone. You typically CANNOT use the automatic recognition system in the following three scenarios.
Scenario 1: You Graduated Outside the UAE
The automatic rule applies only to degrees issued inside the UAE. If you hold a degree from India, UK, Philippines, USA, Pakistan, or any other country, the rules haven’t changed. You still need foreign degree recognition UAE , which involves:
- DataFlow verification UAE (Primary Source Verification).
- Equivalency certificate (Ministry of Education).
- MOFA Attestation (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
- Foreign credential evaluation UAE for professional licensing.
Scenario 2: Degree Recognition for Migration (Using UAE Degrees Abroad)
This is a critical distinction. The “Automatic degree recognition” is valid for UAE government entities. If you are taking your UAE degree to Canada, USA, UK, or Australia for migration or further studies, those foreign governments do not have access to the UAE’s internal digital verification systems.
Requirement: You still need UAE degree attestation for use abroad, including MOFA attestation and often a WES evaluation (World Education Services) to prove your degree is valid abroad and Embassy legalization.
Scenario 3: Manual Verification for Non-Listed Universities
If your UAE university is not yet one of the “34 Connected HEIs,” you cannot receive the automatic Degree Recognition, You must file for standard educational document attestation UAE , which requires uploading transcripts and waiting for manual review.
How to check degree recognition status UAE?
Log in to the MoHESR digital services portal using UAE Pass. Navigate to the “Recognition of University Certificates” service. If your data is linked, you will see your degree status as “Recognized” and can download the digital certificate immediately.
You may also refer to UAE digital degree verification services for guidance.
Do I need attestation if my UAE university isn’t on the list?
Yes. If your university is not on the automatic list, you must apply for manual degree verification UAE. This involves paying the fee, uploading your transcript and certificate, and waiting (processing time varies depending on verification requirements and case complexity) for the Ministry to verify it manually.
Degree Recognition for UAE Golden Visa
For graduates from universities connected to MoHESR’s automatic recognition system, the digital recognition report may be accepted for certain UAE Golden Visa categories, such as the Outstanding Graduates pathway, subject to the requirements of the approving authority.
Graduates from foreign universities or UAE institutions not linked to the automatic recognition system are typically required to obtain a full equivalency certificate and complete the standard recognition and attestation process before applying.
You can review eligibility criteria under the UAE Golden Visa university list .
International degree recognition vs automatic recognition in UAE?
- Automatic Recognition: Only for degrees earned inside the UAE at connected universities.
- International Recognition: Refers to the Equivalency process for degrees earned outside the UAE. This is a completely different service requiring DataFlow and MOFA stamps.
Need Help? Don’t Risk a Rejected Application.
Whether you need foreign degree recognition UAE, manual attestation, or help verifying a degree for migration, we are here to assist.
We specialize in:
- End-to-End Attestation: For UAE degrees going abroad (Embassy & MOFA).
- Equivalency Assistance: Handling DataFlow and Ministry requirements for foreign degrees.
- Complex Cases: Assisting graduates from non-listed universities.