Equivalency Certificate Attestation in the UAE
A UAE equivalency certificate and degree recognition approval are required for professionals seeking to validate foreign-earned academic qualifications for official use in the United Arab Emirates. Depending on the qualification type and intended purpose, applicants may need MOE equivalency, qualification recognition, or supporting attestations for employment, professional licensing, higher education, and visa-related requirements.
UAE Equivalency Certificate
An Equivalency Certificate in the UAE, also known as a Certificate of Recognition or qualification recognition approval, is an official validation issued by the UAE education authorities confirming that a foreign academic qualification meets national academic standards. This recognition is required for regulated employment, professional licensing, higher education admission, teacher registration, and specific visa categories, including the UAE Golden Visa and Highly Skilled / Level 1 visa. It confirms that the qualification is genuine, issued by a recognised institution, and aligned with UAE academic and regulatory requirements.
MOE Equivalency Certificate vs Certificate Attestation (UAE)
Certificate attestation and MOE equivalency certificate are different processes in the UAE and cannot replace each other.
Certificate Attestation (UAE): Verifies that an educational document is authentic and legally issued, confirming the validity of stamps, signatures, and issuing authorities in the country of study and the UAE.
MOE Equivalency Certificate: Confirms that a foreign qualification meets UAE Ministry of Education academic standards, including level, curriculum, duration, and institutional recognition.
Attestation proves the document is genuine. MOE equivalency proves the education is acceptable in the UAE.
Both are usually required for employment, higher studies, licensing, and government applications.
Who Needs an Equivalency Certificate in UAE?
An 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, Engineering Registration Department)
- Education: School Teachers (KHDA / ADEK), University Professors, Academic Researchers
- Golden Visa Applicants: Highly Skilled Professionals, Senior Executives
- Government & Corporate Roles: Any position requiring MOE-validated degrees in the UAE
Note: Distance-learning degrees are recognized under the new University Certificates Recognition UAE system except for 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)
General List of Documents Required for UAE Equivalency
Most applicants are typically required to prepare the following core documents:
- Degree or diploma certificate (final graduation certificate)
- Official academic transcripts / mark sheets
- Valid passport and UAE visa copies
- Primary Source Verification (PSV) report from an approved verification partner
- Attested documents, where required by the relevant authority, profession, or employer
Note: Under the updated University Certificates Recognition system, attestation requirements may be case-dependent. In some cases, degree verification may begin before or without full attestation, depending on authority and profession.
For a complete, case-specific checklist based on your qualification type, country of study, and intended purpose, please refer to our detailed guide:
View the Complete Required Documents Checklist
How to Apply for Equivalency Certificate in UAE?
Step-by-Step Process to Get a UAE Equivalency Certificate
Getting a UAE Equivalency Certificate (also called MOE equivalency / degree equivalency UAE / qualification recognition) is a 3-part workflow: Attestation → Primary Source Verification (PSV) → MOE Online Application. The exact stamps differ by country, but the logic is the same.
Because the UAE is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, most applicants must follow full consular legalization (not “apostille-only”).
Step 1: Prepare the Documents (What to Collect)
Upload-ready, clear scans + originals (when requested):
Degree / Diploma certificate- Official transcripts / mark sheets
- High school certificate (mainly needed for bachelor’s equivalency; not always required for master’s/PhD add only if MOE asks for it for your case)
- Passport copy
- Emirates ID (if UAE resident)
- Name-change proof (if your name differs across documents — e.g., marriage certificate / affidavit)
- Official translation (Arabic/English) if your documents are in another language
Step 2: Home Country Authentication (Country-Specific “First Stamps”)
Your documents must be authenticated by the issuing authority chain in the country where you studied. This is where rules differ the most. Here’s the most common “first-stamp” authority used by applicants from the top 30 major countries (grouped for easy scanning and SGE):
- Philippines: CHED / issuing authority → DFA
- Indonesia / Malaysia / Singapore / Thailand / Vietnam: Issuing authority → MOFA / MFA equivalent
- UK / Ireland: Legalisation office → then UAE consular step
- France / Germany / Italy / Spain / Netherlands / Sweden / Switzerland: Legalisation authority → then UAE consular step
- Russia / Ukraine / Turkey: Government legalisation → then UAE consular step
- USA / Canada: Notary/state authentication → foreign affairs/federal authentication → then UAE consular step
- Australia / New Zealand: DFAT / foreign affairs legalisation → then UAE consular step
Step 3: UAE Embassy / Consulate Attestation (In the Country of Issue)
After your home-country foreign affairs attestation, the documents are attested by the UAE Embassy / Consulate in that same country. This is a core step in UAE legalization workflows.
Step 4: UAE MOFA Attestation (Final Attestation Inside UAE)
Once you’re in the UAE (or your documents are), you complete MOFA attestation UAE through the official MOFA service.
MOFA commonly requires:
- • Original document in Arabic or English, or an official translation
- • Document already attested by the relevant authorities (home country + UAE mission)
Step 5: Get PSV Through MOE’s Approved Verification Partner (DataFlow)
For MOE equivalency, PSV is a key prerequisite. The MOE has an official verification partnership pathway through DataFlow, and it’s described by MOE as the first step to authenticate foreign qualifications.
- → Apply online, upload documents
- → The agency contacts the issuing institution directly
- → You receive a verification outcome/report (with a reference/transaction details)
Step 6: Submit MOE Equivalency Application via UAE PASS
Once your documents are fully attested + your PSV is completed, you apply online using UAE PASS and upload:
Attested degree + transcripts- PSV report/reference
- Supporting ID documents
This is the step where you receive the digital UAE Equivalency Certificate if approved.
Top Reasons for UAE Equivalency Certificate Rejection
The UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) processes thousands of equivalency applications each year. Applications may be rejected for the following reasons:
- Missing or incomplete equivalency-required documents
- Mismatch between passport details and academic certificates
- Degree issued by an unrecognized or non-accredited institution
- Improper or incomplete document attestation chain
- Non-compliance with UAE MOE academic standards (e.g., study duration, mode of study, or credit structure)
- Missing mandatory supporting documents (transcripts, name-change proof, etc.)
- Inability to demonstrate required physical attendance or study presence (when requested)
- Submission of expired or invalid identity documents
- Failure of Primary Source Verification (PSV) through DataFlow
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
How can we attest Certificates for Equivalency in UAE?
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.
Can I attest the originals or copies documents in UAE?
Type of document and the country of document origin determines the process. Some countries allow copies to be attested.
Where can I apply for Equivalency certificate?
Submission at Ministry of Education or MOHESR (Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research) can be done after certificate attestation is completed.
Where is GloboPrime located in UAE?
Our office is located in Al Qusais 2, OFFICE NO: 411 Abdulla Al Fahad Building 2 – near Al Twar Centre – Al Qusais 2 – Dubai
What certificates do I have to submit for Equivalency certificate attestation?
Documents are to be attested as per specific requirements of Ministry of Education / MOHESR authorities.
What is Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation role in UAE for Equivalency certificate?
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.
Any Certificate attestation From the Following Countries
Verified Success Stories: UAE Equivalency Certificate & Attestation Reviews
Obtaining a UAE Equivalency Certificate from the Ministry of Education (MOE) is the most critical step for Engineers, Healthcare Professionals, and Golden Visa applicants. A single error in your DataFlow verification or Genuineness Letter can lead to immediate rejection.
Watch how GloboPrime secured approvals for professionals across all industries from Engineering and IT to Business Management who needed their degrees recognized urgently. We specialize in turning complex “Rejected” cases into “Approved” results.
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.
The GloboPrime Advantage: Real Expertise, Proven Trust
For most professionals, the UAE Equivalency application is a high-stakes and confusing journey. It’s not a single form but a complex chain of legal attestations and verifications that span multiple countries. One small mistake in the sequence or a missing document can lead to rejection, costing you months of time and risking your job offer or visa.
Proven Track Record with 5-Star Trust
Our expertise is proven by our clients. We have successfully processed thousands of applications, from standard PhD and Master’s degrees to complex cases involving re-rejections or applications that were “stuck for a couple of years,” as one of our clients, Salma, noted. Our Google reviews consistently praise our dedicated case managers like Sylvia, Aiswarya, and Caren for being “very helpful and informative” and “fast and reliable.”
This is our expertise. We are masters of the complete ecosystem, including:
- All Countries: We have specialized, fast-track processes for documents from the UK, India, USA, Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, and over 100+ other countries.
- All Verifications: We are experts in managing both DataFlow and QuadraBay verifications to prevent errors before they happen.
- All Professions: We are the trusted partner for teachers securing their CDA license, engineers, and medical professionals whose careers depend on a successful equivalency.
We handle your irreplaceable original documents with the security and care they deserve, provide you with constant, proactive updates, and manage the entire process from end to end.
ISO 27001 Certified | ISO 9001-2015 Certified
Proven Track Record & Trusted by Thousands: With 4.9 rated reviews on Google and over 10 years of experience and a proven track record of satisfied clients, GloboPrime is the leading choice for document attestation in Dubai.
Recognition of GloboPrime by Gulf News
At GloboPrime Attestation Services, we’re proud to be recognized by leading publications such as Gulf News, where our expertise in the UAE Equivalency Certificate process was featured.
“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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