Degree Attestation in the UAE
Landed a job offer in the UAE? Congratulations — now your employer needs your degree attested before your work permit can be issued. It sounds bureaucratic, but it’s straightforward once you know the steps. Here’s how degree attestation in the UAE works, which documents you’ll need, how long it takes, and how we take the whole process off your plate.
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The five-step degree attestation chain
What is degree certificate attestation?
Degree attestation is the official confirmation that your educational certificate is genuine and legally valid for use in the UAE. A chain of authorities — in your home country and here — verify the document and stamp it, so UAE employers and government bodies can fully trust it. It usually runs alongside MOFA attestation, and for regulated or senior roles you may also need degree equivalency (MoHESR), which confirms your qualification level.
Why do you need degree attestation?
It’s a mandatory requirement for almost every employment visa and work permit in the UAE. Skilled and professional roles won’t be approved without an attested degree. It’s also needed for professional licensing — in healthcare, engineering, teaching and law — and for enrolling in higher studies here.
When should you start?
As early as possible. Attestation involves authorities in two countries, so starting the moment you accept an offer keeps your visa timeline on track. Some countries have an extra home-country verification step that can’t be rushed, which makes an early start even more important. Tight deadline? Ask us about express processing.
Which degrees and qualifications can be attested?
We attest the full range of higher and professional qualifications, including:
- Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees and PhDs
- Diplomas and higher diplomas
- Professional and technical certificates
- Transcripts and mark sheets that support the degree
Whatever your field or country of study, send us the certificate and we’ll confirm the exact attestation route it needs.
How does the attestation process work?
Degree attestation for a UAE visa runs through five steps, beginning in the country that issued your certificate:
- Notary attestation — your certificate is notarised in the issuing country.
- Home-country attestation — verified by the relevant education or state authority (for example, the state HRD in India or the HEC in Pakistan).
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (home country) — national-level verification.
- UAE Embassy attestation — the UAE embassy in your country confirms it.
- MOFA attestation in the UAE — the final stamp, now handled digitally through MOFAIC, that makes your degree valid here.
Degree attestation route by country
Every route ends the same way — with the UAE MOFA stamp — but the steps before it depend on where your degree was issued. An apostille on its own is never the last step, because the UAE is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
| Degree from | Route before UAE MOFA |
|---|---|
| UK | Notary / solicitor → FCDO apostille → UAE Embassy London |
| USA | Notary → Secretary of State → US State Dept (DC) → UAE Embassy USA |
| Canada | Provincial authentication → Global Affairs Canada → UAE Embassy Ottawa |
| Australia | Document verification → DFAT apostille → UAE Embassy Canberra |
| India | Notary → State HRD → MEA New Delhi → UAE Embassy Delhi / Mumbai |
| Philippines | Issuing authority → DFA apostille (Manila) → UAE Embassy Manila |
| Russia | Certified translation → apostille in Russia → UAE Embassy Moscow |
| France | Notary / CCI → legalisation by French notaries (since Sep 2025) → UAE Embassy Paris |
| Italy | Notary + Prefettura / Procura → UAE Embassy Rome |
| South Africa | Notary → DIRCO → UAE Embassy Pretoria |
| Netherlands | Notary → Dutch MoFA apostille → UAE Embassy The Hague |
| Turkey | Valilik authentication → UAE Embassy Ankara / Istanbul |
| Spain | Authentication in Spain → UAE Embassy Madrid |
| Singapore | Authentication in Singapore → UAE Embassy |
Degree from somewhere else? We cover 120+ countries — see all countries. If your employer or the Golden Visa also needs MoHESR recognition, that comes after MOFA — see certificate equivalency.
What documents do you need to provide?
Here’s what we’ll typically need from you:
- Original degree certificate
- Transcripts or mark sheets (for selected countries)
- Passport copy (for selected countries)
- UAE visa copy (if you already have one)
If your degree isn’t in English or Arabic, it will also need a certified legal translation before attestation begins.
How long does it take?
Typically 10–15 working days, depending on the country of issuance. A few countries have longer home-country verification steps, so timelines there can run longer — we’ll give you a realistic date for your specific country. Express processing is available when an employment-visa deadline is looming.
Do online or distance-learning degrees qualify?
Often, yes — but it depends on the university’s recognition and the role you’re applying for. Many online and distance-learning degrees can be attested, and some employers or licensing bodies will also ask for degree equivalency (MoHESR) to confirm the qualification level. Send us your certificate details and we’ll tell you exactly what your case needs before you commit.
Attestation vs equivalency: what’s the difference?
They’re two different things, and some people need both. Attestation proves your certificate is genuine. Equivalency (MoHESR, often called MOE equivalency) confirms your foreign qualification matches a UAE qualification level — required for many professional licences, government roles and Golden Visa applications. We can handle attestation on its own, or attestation and equivalency together under one roof. See our certificate equivalency service for details.
Applying for a UAE job? See the documents you need to work in the UAE for the order of attestation, equivalency and police clearance.
Why UAE residents choose Seal & Signature
From the first stamp to the final MOFA seal, we handle the whole chain for you:
- Coverage for 120+ countries
- No office visits — we collect and return your documents
- Express handling for urgent visa deadlines
- A dedicated case manager keeping you updated
Frequently asked questions — degree attestation
Generally 10–15 working days, depending on where the degree was issued. A few countries with extra home-country steps can take longer. Express options are available.
For most skilled and professional roles, yes — your employment visa depends on it.
Yes, we cover certificates from 120+ countries and international universities.
Attestation proves your certificate is genuine. Equivalency (MoHESR, often called MOE equivalency) confirms it matches a UAE qualification level — some roles and visas need both.
If it isn’t in English or Arabic, you’ll need a certified legal translation into Arabic before attestation can start.
Many can be attested, depending on the university’s recognition. Some roles also require degree equivalency (MoHESR) — we’ll confirm what your case needs.
No. We manage the entire process and collect and return your documents.
Yes. The final stamp is issued by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs at federal level, so an attested degree can be used in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and every other emirate.
The attestation itself carries no expiry date. Some employers and authorities ask for a recently attested degree, so confirm with whoever is receiving it.
Only if the employer or authority asks for them. Many do for regulated roles and for equivalency. We can attest transcripts alongside the degree certificate.
Starting a job in the UAE soon?
Send us your degree certificate and we’ll confirm the exact route, timeline and an all-in quote — then handle every stamp through to the MOFA seal.
