UAE Certificate of Equivalency 2025: A Step-by-Step Application Guide

(UNITED ARAB EMIRATES) Starting in 2025, anyone who plans to study, work, or settle in the UAE with a foreign degree will need a Certificate of Equivalency from the UAE Ministry of Education (UAE Ministry of Education – Degree Equivalency) (MoE). The move, confirmed by ministry guidance, sets a single national standard for recognizing overseas academic qualifications.

Without this recognition, applicants face blocked university admissions, stalled professional licensing, and missed job offers in regulated sectors. It also affects long‑term residency pathways: the equivalency certificate is now a core requirement for skilled professionals applying for the UAE’s Golden Visa.

What the MoE changed and why

The MoE has streamlined the recognition process by reducing paperwork and introducing authorized verification partners to confirm the authenticity of degrees before recognition. Ministry officials say the tighter checks protect educational quality and the integrity of licensing in fields such as healthcare, engineering, teaching, and government service.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the tighter system aligns recognition with national labor market goals while giving employers and universities more confidence in foreign credentials.

Key points of the reform:
– The process is open to applicants inside and outside the UAE.
– Physical presence in the UAE is not required to start the application.
– The ministry portal is fully integrated with UAE PASS for secure applications, payments, and status tracking.
– Typical decision times are 2 to 6 weeks, with some cases extending up to 30 days.
– Fees vary by qualification level, typically between 50 AED and 200 AED.
– Once approved, the Certificate of Equivalency can be downloaded directly from the portal.

Policy changes overview

The MoE (formerly MOHESR) has simplified recognition by:
– Reducing certain document requirements.
– Endorsing verification services such as DataFlow and QadraBay to check genuineness and accreditation.
– Making a verification report (with a unique reference number) a standard part of many applications, which speeds decisions.

Officials encourage early applications, especially when:
– Degree-granting institutions are hard to contact.
– Records require extra checks.

Document language and translation:
– Legal translation into Arabic is recommended for documents not in English or Arabic; the ministry accepts certified translations.
– A Genuineness Letter from the university or embassy may be requested, though this is often waived for degrees from countries with established verification pathways (e.g., United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, the UK, Australia).

Role in residency and regulated professions:
– The equivalency certificate is increasingly required for Golden Visa applications.
– Employers and universities often hold offers or flag applications until the certificate is on file.
– Professional regulators (health, engineering, teaching) rely on equivalency to maintain licensing standards.

Digital integration:
– Applications flow through the MoE portal with UAE PASS sign‑in.
– The portal supports secure uploads, online fee payment, and direct communication from case officers.
– The ministry recommends using authorized verification partners to reduce errors and avoid back‑and‑forth requests.

Find details on eligibility, required documents, and steps on the MoE e‑services for degree recognition: UAE Ministry of Education – Degree Equivalency

Impact on applicants — practical implications

For thousands of students and skilled workers arriving each year, the new system changes the order of operations. Many will need equivalency before:

• University registration
• Sitting for licensing exams
• Finalizing job contracts in regulated sectors

Others will tie the certificate to Golden Visa planning. The human impact:
– Those who prepare early keep plans on track.
– Those who delay face missed intake terms, delayed start dates, and stalled residency applications.

Stakeholder benefits:
– Employers gain clearer hiring timelines.
– Universities reduce conditional offers that later fall through.
– Regulators enhance confidence in credentials.

Step‑by‑step: how to get equivalency

The core steps are clear and repeatable:

1. Document preparation and attestation
   • Gather original degree/diploma certificates and transcripts.
   • Complete attestations through your home country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy in that country.
   • Arrange certified legal translation into Arabic if documents are not in English or Arabic.
   • Prepare a copy of your passport, visa page (if applicable), Emirates ID (if available), and proof that your university is accredited.
   • In some cases, a Genuineness Letter may be requested (often waived for degrees from countries with established verification channels).
2. Degree verification
   • Submit attested documents to an MoE‑approved verification partner (e.g., DataFlow, QadraBay).
   • Receive a Verification Report with a unique reference number after checks.
   • Keep this report ready—it is essential for the MoE application.
3. Online submission through the MoE portal
   • Register and log in using UAE PASS.
   • Select the qualification level and major.
   • Upload all required attested and verified documents.
   • Pay the fee online; most cases fall between 50 AED and 200 AED.
4. Ministry review and decision
   • Expect a review period of 2 to 6 weeks; some cases up to 30 days.
   • Respond promptly to any requests for additional documents or clarifications.
   • Receive the outcome as “Recognized” or “Not Recognized” via email or portal.
   • If approved, download the Certificate of Equivalency directly from the portal.

Practical tips and common pitfalls

Timing and accuracy matter. Consultants recommend:
– Start early—especially before fall intakes or regulated job start dates.
– Double‑check that your university is accredited in the country of study.
– Ensure names, majors, and dates match across all documents.
– Use certified translators familiar with education paperwork.
– Keep scans clear and legible, and stay within portal file‑size limits.
– Monitor email and the portal daily during review to avoid delays.

Common causes for “Not Recognized” decisions:
– Degrees from unaccredited institutions
– Missing attestations
– Unverifiable records

If this occurs, consult the MoE for next steps. Applicants with complex academic histories (multiple degrees, transfers, older records, closed universities) should plan extra time for alternative proof or additional statements.

Warnings and recommendations

Important: Missing the equivalency certificate can block admissions, licensing, hiring, and Golden Visa approvals. Apply early and follow verified procedures to avoid last‑minute surprises.

• Use MoE‑approved verification partners to reduce the risk of errors and fraud.
• Keep translations consistent and certified.
• Respond quickly to any MoE requests to keep the application moving.

Why this matters long‑term

The Certificate of Equivalency reflects the UAE’s push to link education pathways with economic needs. As higher education grows and more professionals relocate, the requirement helps ensure that degrees meet the standards expected in sensitive and regulated fields.

For Golden Visa applicants, an approved equivalency provides a verified academic base that supports long‑term residence and career growth. For employers and universities, it introduces a consistent national standard and reduces uncertainty in hiring and admissions.

Official guidance and application:
UAE Ministry of Education – Degree Equivalency