UAE Equivalency Certificate Attestation
Securing equivalency certificate uae establishes your immediate eligibility for government-sector careers, postgraduate admissions at UAE universities, and Golden Visa eligibility under the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) 2024 accreditation standards. An Equivalency Certificate (also known as Certificate of Recognition) is a crucial document issued by the UAE Ministry of Education that validates your foreign educational qualifications, making them officially recognized in the UAE. Our specialized attestation services streamline this complex process, ensuring your documents meet all requirements for employment, higher education, visa applications, and professional licensing. With 63% of DIY applications rejected due to improper document legalization or incomplete DataFlow verification.
What is an Equivalency Certificate Attestation?
Our specialized attestation services achieve a 98.6% approval rate by combining proper pre-verification checks with direct coordination with authorities , universities , validators, ensuring your academic credentials meet all 14-point compliance criteria outlined in Cabinet Resolution No. 40 of 2022
MOE Equivalency Certificates
Before the UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) will even consider your application for Certificate Equivalency, your original academic documents (degree/diploma certificate and often the final academic transcript) must be fully attested. This is a non-negotiable prerequisite. Attempting to apply for equivalency without prior, complete attestation is a guaranteed reason for rejection.
Who Needs an Equivalency Certificate?
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, 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” 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)
Why Is an Equivalency Certificate Required 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
- For Licensing Authorities: Required for professional licensing with MOH, DHA, DOH, KHDA, and regulatory bodies
Immigration Benefits
- Golden Visa Processing: Mandatory for skilled professionals and academics applying under Golden Visa categories
- Visa complications: Golden Visa applicants without equivalency face automatic rejection in professional talent categories
Career Advancement
- Employment in Regulated Sectors: Essential for positions in education, healthcare, engineering, and government
- Employment barriers: 89% of UAE government sector jobs mandate equivalency certificates
Mandatory for Higher Education Admission
The UAE Ministry of Education requires all enrolled students to obtain a certificate of equivalency for their secondary education certificates when pursuing higher studies. UAE Certificate Of Equivalency | American University of Sharjah Universities like American University of Sharjah and all universities in the UAE strictly enforce this requirement for all international students.
Without this process, individuals face:
- Employment barriers: 89% of UAE government sector jobs mandate equivalency certificates
- Education limitations: Top universities like UAEU and Khalifa University require equivalency for postgraduate admissions
- Visa complications: Golden Visa applicants without equivalency face automatic rejection in professional talent categories
Which Documents Need Equivalency in the UAE?
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.
What are the Required documents to apply for certificate equivalency
Required Documents for Certificate Equivalency in the UAE
Certificate equivalency 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 certificate equivalency 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 Certificate Equivalency Requirements
For high school certificate equivalency, 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 ?
The process of obtaining an Equivalency Certificate follows specific procedures established by the UAE Ministry of Education. Understanding these steps is essential for successful application:
Step 1: Document Preparation and Authentication
- Gather original educational certificates and transcripts
- Obtain attestation from your home country’s authorities
- Secure UAE Embassy attestation in your country of study
- Get MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) attestation in the UAE
- Arrange for certified translation if documents are not in Arabic or English
Step 2: Verification Through Authorized Providers
- Complete verification through DataFlow or QuadraBay (MOE’s official verification partners)
- Submit your degrees and supporting documents
- Receive a verification report with a unique reference number
- This verification confirms your qualification’s authenticity
Step 3: UAE PASS Registration and Setup
- Download and install the UAE PASS application
- Register with valid Emirates ID, GCC ID, or passport
- Complete verification process for digital identity
- This secure digital ID is required for MOE online services
Step 4: MOHESR Recognition Application
With a positive verification report, applicants submit through MOHESR’s unified digital portal, providing:
MOHESR Online Application Submission
- Visit the MOE /MOHESR online portal for certificate equivalency
- Log in using your UAE PASS credentials
- Enter your DataFlow/QuadraBay verification reference number
- Complete the application form with accurate personal and educational details
- Upload all required supporting documents
- Pay the application fee (varies by qualification level)
Step 5: Application Processing and Certificate Issuance
- MOE evaluates the application and verifies all documents
- Application status can be tracked through the MOE portal
- If approved, the Certificate of Recognition is issued (typically within 2 days)
- The certificate is delivered to your registered email address
- You can download the certificate from your MOE account
We Make It Easy
We handle end-to-end support for your equivalency journey:
- Degree attestation and embassy legalization
- Certified translation and documentation support
- Submission and follow-up
- Fast-track attestation service with real-time updates
Contact us today for a free consultation for UAE degree equivalency process.
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
Certificate equivalency is mandatory for specific professions including teachers, doctors, engineers, and government employees. Since 2024, the process has been streamlined and is now officially called the “Certificate of Recognition” process.
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.
Is Degree Equivalency Mandatory for Golden Visa?
Yes, degree equivalency is mandatory for specific Golden Visa categories in the UAE. As of 2025, professionals applying under the highly skilled professional route, including managers, chief executives, engineers, doctors, and scientists must submit an equivalency certificate from the Ministry of Education alongside their legalized degree certificate. This requirement ensures that all academic qualifications meet UAE standards and are from accredited institutions.
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
UAE’s #1 Choice 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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Proven Track Record & Trusted by Thousands: With 4.9 rated reviews on Google and over 10 years of experience, 18,000 documents successfully attested, and a proven track record of satisfied clients, GloboPrime is the leading choice for document attestation in Dubai.
Boasting a Remarkable 99% Success Rate
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.
See What Our Clients Say: Check Our Reviews here.
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
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)
Read the full article on 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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