Certificate Equivalency in the UAE
Get your foreign degree formally recognised in the UAE — the equivalency certificate (now issued as a recognition of your qualification by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research) needed for jobs, licensing and the Golden Visa — with degree attestation and the full application handled end to end from Dubai.
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How certificate equivalency works
Get your equivalency route and price
Tell us where your degree is from and its level. We reply on WhatsApp or by phone with the authority that applies, an exact quote and a realistic timeline.
Certificate equivalency is the UAE government’s formal recognition that your foreign qualification meets UAE standards. It is required for many regulated jobs, professional licences, and qualification-based Golden Visa categories. Equivalency is a separate step from attestation: your degree must first be fully attested (home country, UAE embassy, and UAE MOFA), and then assessed by the relevant UAE authority. Seal & Signature handles both the degree attestation and the equivalency application from Dubai.
What is certificate equivalency?
Certificate equivalency (also called degree equivalency or attestation of equivalency) is an official assessment that confirms a qualification earned outside the UAE is equivalent to the corresponding UAE qualification. The authority reviews your degree, the institution, and the programme, then issues an equivalency certificate that UAE employers and government bodies recognise. It answers a simple question for them: does this foreign qualification measure up to UAE standards?
Why do you need equivalency in the UAE?
- Regulated jobs — teaching, healthcare, engineering and legal roles require a recognised qualification
- Professional licensing — many UAE authorities ask for equivalency before issuing a licence
- Golden Visa — qualification-based categories need your degree confirmed against UAE standards
- Senior or government roles — where formal recognition of your education is required
Without equivalency, an otherwise valid foreign degree may not be accepted for these purposes, even after attestation.
Degree equivalency for a UAE visa: requirements and how to apply online
The name has changed. What most people still search for as “degree equivalency” is now officially called University Qualifications Recognition, issued by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR). Its recognition report is accepted for employment, further study, visa and government services in the UAE.
- How to apply: online, through the MoHESR e-services portal, which you sign in to with UAE PASS.
- Before you apply: your degree and transcripts must be fully attested — in the issuing country, by the UAE embassy there, then by UAE MOFA. Missing attestation is the most common reason an application stalls.
- Does your visa need it? Not always. Some visas and jobs need attestation only; regulated professions, government roles and the Golden Visa usually ask for recognition as well. We check which applies to you before you pay any government fee.
- Timeline and cost: typically 4–8 weeks once documents are submitted, AED 500–900+ depending on the authority and where the degree is from.
Which authority issues your equivalency certificate?
The authority depends on the qualification and the sector you work in:
- University degrees — Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR). Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from foreign universities are recognised by MoHESR. Many people still call this “MOE equivalency”, because the service used to sit with the Ministry of Education.
- School certificates (Grade 12) — Ministry of Education (MOE). Secondary-school certificates from abroad are equalised by the MOE, usually for university admission or a school transfer.
- Healthcare — MOH and DHA. Doctors, nurses and allied health professionals have their qualifications assessed as part of health licensing, federally or in Dubai.
- Engineering — the Society of Engineers. Engineers usually need the recognised degree before SOE registration.
We identify the right authority for your qualification and manage the application end to end, so you do not have to work out the route yourself.
Is MOE equivalency the same as MoHESR recognition?
For university degrees, yes — it is the same service under a new name and a new ministry. In April 2025 the UAE issued Ministerial Resolution No. 34, which moved foreign university qualifications to a recognition system run by MoHESR. The ministry says the number of documents required fell from 14 to four, and the share of declined requests dropped sharply.
Two conditions sit at the centre of the new system: the qualification must be authentic, and the university that issued it must be legally established, licensed and accredited in its home country. That is why attestation still comes first — it is how the authenticity of your degree is established before the ministry reviews it.
What is the difference between attestation and equivalency?
Attestation confirms your document is genuine; equivalency confirms your qualification meets UAE standards. Most high-value processes — like a Golden Visa or a regulated job — need both. Your degree must be fully attested before you can apply for equivalency, which is why we handle the two steps together.
How does the equivalency process work?
- Step 1 — Attestation: your degree and transcripts are attested through the full chain ending with UAE MOFA.
- Step 2 — Application: we submit your documents to the correct authority (MoHESR for university degrees, MOE for school certificates, MOH or DHA for healthcare).
- Step 3 — Evaluation: the authority reviews the institution, programme, and credit hours.
- Step 4 — Equivalency certificate: once approved, the equivalency certificate is issued for use in the UAE.
We track the application and keep you updated at every stage.
Can a distance-learning or online degree get equivalency?
Sometimes — it is reviewed case by case, and online or distance-learning programmes face stricter scrutiny. We assess your specific qualification before you apply, so you know where you stand and avoid paying fees for an application that is unlikely to succeed. Send us your degree details on WhatsApp for an honest assessment.
How long does equivalency take, and what does it cost?
Timelines depend on the authority and how complete your attestation is, but equivalency typically takes a few weeks once the attested documents are ready. Costs vary by authority and document origin, and government and application fees are billed separately from our service fee. We confirm a clear, all-in quote before we start — share your degree details on WhatsApp and we will give you exact figures and a realistic timeline.
Which qualifications and documents qualify for equivalency?
Equivalency applies to higher-education qualifications — bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees — along with their academic transcripts, and in some sectors to professional and diploma qualifications. To apply, you will usually need the attested degree certificate, attested academic transcripts, a copy of your passport, and sometimes the school-leaving certificate or proof of attendance and mode of study. The exact list depends on the authority handling your case and the country where you studied. We confirm the complete document checklist for your specific qualification before the application is submitted, so nothing is missing and your equivalency is not delayed by an avoidable gap. If any document still needs attestation or a certified Arabic legal translation, we arrange that in the same managed service.
Not sure whether your employer needs equivalency? See the documents you need to work in the UAE for where it fits after attestation.
Why choose Seal & Signature for certificate equivalency?
- Attestation and equivalency together — one managed service, end to end
- We identify the right authority — MoHESR, MOE, MOH or DHA
- Honest pre-assessment — especially for online or distance-learning degrees
- Clear guidance on documents, timeline, and fees
- Certified Arabic translation under one roof
Frequently asked questions — certificate equivalency in the UAE
Attestation confirms your document is genuine; equivalency confirms your qualification meets UAE standards. Most high-value processes, like a Golden Visa or a regulated job, need both. Your degree must be fully attested before you can apply for equivalency.
For foreign university degrees, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR). For school (Grade 12) certificates, the Ministry of Education. Healthcare qualifications are assessed by MOH or DHA as part of licensing. We identify the right authority for your case and manage the application.
Sometimes — it is reviewed case by case and online programmes face stricter scrutiny. We assess your specific qualification before you apply so you know where you stand.
For qualification-based Golden Visa categories, yes — the UAE authority needs to confirm your degree measures up to UAE standards. We handle the attestation and equivalency steps together.
It typically takes a few weeks once your attested documents are ready, depending on the authority. We confirm a realistic timeline before starting.
It varies by authority and document origin, and government and application fees apply separately from our service fee. Share your degree details on WhatsApp and we will send you an exact, all-in quote — +971 55 937 1335.
University degrees are now recognised by MoHESR rather than the Ministry of Education, under Ministerial Resolution No. 34 of 2025. Many employers still call it “MOE equivalency” — it is the same requirement.
If a school certificate from abroad is needed for UAE university admission or a school transfer, it is equalised by the Ministry of Education. We can advise on the documents it needs.
Usually yes — the Society of Engineers expects an attested, recognised degree. We handle attestation, equivalency and the SOE application together.
Get your degree recognised in the UAE
Send your degree details on WhatsApp and we’ll assess your equivalency route and send a clear quote.
