If you intend to work, study or apply for professional licensing in the UAE then degree certificate attestation is a legal requirement. Foreign degrees, but even in some cases UAE issued one would have to be "attested" by Authenticated or verified foreign and also sometimes home country education degrees
This comprehensive 2025 guide covers, What is degree certificate attestation why degree certificates need to be attested in the UAE Attestation procedure Step-by-step The documents that need to be submitted Time Line and official guidelines by Ministry of Education (MOE) that you use while following this process.
Quick Overview: Degree Certificate Attestation in UAE
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Mandatory For | Employment, education, licensing, visas |
| Governing Authorities | MOFA (UAE), MOE, UAE Embassy |
| Applies To | Foreign & specific UAE-issued degrees |
| Final Validation | MOFA Attestation (UAE) |
| Processing Time | 7–20 working days (average) |
What is as Degree Certificate Attestation?
Degree certificate attestation is the procedure, which verifies below mentioned legal points of your certificates:
- Your degree is genuine.
- The issuing university is accredited
- The qualification meets UAE standards
If a Bachelors degree awarded by a university or college has to be utilizes in a country other than the one it was issued from, specially according to rules in UAE.
Trusted Source:
UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation (MOFAIC)
Why Do You Need Attestation of Degree Certificate in UAE?
The UAE follows strict academic and professional verification policies to:
- Prevent document fraud
- Maintain employment and education standards
- Ensure professional competency
- Employment visas and labor approvals
- University admissions and equivalency
- Professional license (DHA, MOH, KHDA etc.)
- Immigration and long-term residency
- UAE Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE)
- UAE Ministry of Education (MOE)
Degree attestation is required for:
Degrees are not valid in UAE government departments without attestation.
Trusted Sources:
Different Kinds of Attestation of Degree Certificate in UAE
- Degree Attestation for Foreign-Issued Degrees
- Degree Attestation for UAE-Issued Degrees
Send us your degree if it was not completed in the UAE.
For private universities licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education
Degrees issued by public UAE universities (UAE University, Zayed University, Higher Colleges of Technology) do not require attestation
Trusted Source:
UAE Ministry of Education (MOE)
Step-by-Step Degree Certificate Attestation Process (Foreign Degrees)
Step 1: Process of University/ Notary Submisson Step/Search element explained in step, followed after part.
The issuing university or a notary public verifies the degree.
Step 2: Ministry Attestation (Home Country)
Attestation by:
- Ministry of Education (if required)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (home country)
- Original degree certificate
- Academic transcripts/mark sheets
- Passport copy
- Passport-sized photographs
- Authorization letter (if using an agent)
- Embassy verification letter
- Previous qualification certificates
- Equivalency certificate (for higher studies)
Attestation by:
Step 3: UAE Embassy Attestation
The UAE Embassy or Consulate in the home country verifies the document.
Step 4: MOFA Attestation in the UAE
Final and mandatory validation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Required Documents for Degree Certificate Attestation
Common Documents (Foreign Degrees)
Additional Documents (If Required)
Degree Attestation Timeline & Fees
| Service Type | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Normal Processing | 10–20 working days |
| Express Service | 3–7 working days |
- Country of degree issuance
- Degree Cost Factors:
- level (Bachelor, Master, PhD)
- Urgency level
- Employment visa applications
- Higher education admissions
- Professional licensing exams
- Migration and residency applications
- Family visa sponsorship (in some professions)
- Employers or authorities may request recent verification
- Some licensing bodies impose time-based validity
Average fees range between AED 300 and AED 1,200+ per document.
Fees vary based on embassy and MOFA charges.
Degree Attestation Use Cases in the UAE
Degree certificate attestation is required for:
Validity of Attested Degree Certificates
In most cases, degree attestation does not expire. However:
Always check with the concerned authority.
Guidelines for Attesting UAE-Issued Degrees (MOE Process)
Who Needs This?
Graduates from private higher education institutions licensed by the UAE MOE.
Application Process
- Sign in using UAE PASS
- Complete the online application
- Upload required documents (PDF format)
- Pay the processing fee
- Application review by MOE
- Final decision (Approval or Rejection) via email
- The institution must be MOE-licensed
- The program must be MOE-recognized
- Documents must include student ID & specialization
- Documents must not be notarized and stamped
- Graduation certificate
- Statement of graduation
- Transcript
- Attested secondary certificate or equivalency
- Graduation certificate
- Transcript
- Attested bachelor’s degree
- Graduation certificate
- Transcript
- Attested master’s degree
- Continuing students: Verification letter or transcript
- Faculty members: Verification letter
- Transferred credits: Attested transcripts or embassy verification
- Submitting degrees from unaccredited universities
- Incomplete document attestation
- Name mismatch across certificates
- Poor-quality or unclear scans
- Missing previous qualification verification
- Degree Certificate Attestation
- Apostille Services UAE
- MOFA Attestation
- Birth & Marriage Certificate Attestation
- MOFA Attestation in Dubai
- Certificate Equivalency UAE
- Apostille vs Attestation
- Marriage Certificate Attestation
- Is a degree certificate attestation mandatory in the UAE?
- Can online degrees be attested?
- How long does a degree attestation take?
- Do UAE public university degrees need attestation?
Eligibility Criteria (MOE Rules)
Required Documents for UAE Degree Attestation (By Level)
Diploma / Bachelor’s Degree
Master’s Degree
Doctoral Degree
Special Cases
Trusted Source:
UAE Ministry of Education – Qualification Attestation Guidelines
Common Mistakes That Delay Degree Attestation
Professional Degree Certificate Attestation Services in Dubai
Degree attestation can be time-consuming and complex when multiple authorities are involved.
At Benchmark Attestation Services, we provide end-to-end assistance for:
Call / WhatsApp: +971 50 474 1340
Office: Oud Metha, Dubai – UAE
Work with experienced experts and save time, money and frustration
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Final Thoughts
Attestation of degree certificate is a fundamental requirement in UAE. Whether you study in foreign institution or private university in UAE, the right path to follow is necessary for quick approval and conformity.
The benefits of having professional support while attesting is measurable in both accuracy, time and peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, for employment, education, and licensing purposes.
Only if the UAE authorities recognize the institution and program.
Typically, 7–20 working days.
No, they are exempt as per MOE rules.