Documents needed to Apply for Certificate Equivalency
If you've studied out of the UAE and wish to work, study or go through licensing in that country from where you’ve completed you’re education, certificate equivalency from the Ministry of Education (MOE) is compulsory. Several applications are held up or turned down because candidates do not have complete, or properly certified documents.
This guide presents a comprehensive coverage of all the documents required to get your certificates equivalent in UAE in an easily understandable way classified according to level of qualification. It also includes important eligibility rules, verification need-to-knows and practical tips to help ensure a hassle-free application process this summer 2025.
Here’s a look at the documents that are required for the application process:
Brief Overview: Attestation of Certificate in UAE
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) |
| Who Needs It | Graduates from non-UAE institutions |
| Purpose | Employment, higher education, licensing |
| Mandatory | Yes |
| Processing Mode | Online (MOE portal) + document verification |
What Is Certificate Equivalency?
Certificate of Equivalency is an attestation by the UAE Ministry of Education that a foreign certificate, diploma or degree is authentic and equivalent to its correlative in the United Arab Emirates.
This process verifies:
- Accreditation of the university
- Mode of study: (face-to-face, distance, blended)
- The duration of study
- Presence in the host country
Without the equivalency, foreign graduates cannot work as:
- Government or private employment
- University admissions
- Professional Registration (DHA, MOH, KHDA and so on).
What Exactly is a Certificate Equivalency and Why it's Required in the UAE
A strict validation policy is in place in the UAE to protect international education standards.
You must obtain equivalency if:
- Your credential was awarded by a university outside the UAE
- You are seeking employment as a skilled person
- You are in the UAE you plan to study in an instituition located in the UAE
- You need a license or certification for your job
- Job offer rejection
- Visa processing delays
- University admission refusal
Candidates who do not achieve an equivalent level of certification (as determined above) may face:
Documents Required for the Certificate Equivalency(By Level of Qualification)
Documents needed for intermediate, diploma & bachelor’s programs
Candidates for the equivalency of a diploma or bachelor’s level should attach the following documents:
- Certified copy of the certificate of education
- Official academic transcript
- An original letter from the embassy to confirm the authenticity of the qualification
- If the document is not in English or Arabic, it must be accompanied by a certified translation
- Attested high school certificate
- Evidence of presence in the host country
- Passport entry/exit stamps
- Residence permit or student visa
The Ministry verifies whether the study mode complies with UAE equivalency regulations, especially for distance or online education.
Documents for Masters And Doctoral Degrees
For postgraduate equivalence proper checking is required due to academic depth and involvement in research
- Certified copy of the postgraduate qualification
- Official embassy letter verifying authenticity
- Academic transcript
- Certified translation (if required)
- Attested Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Old equivalency certificate (Issued from UAE MOE).
- Evidence that you lived in the country where you studied
- University letterhead with official university stamp.Proof of start Date Program .Official letter from the university stating your course of study start date
- Thesis abstract (for Master’s/Doctoral degrees)
- University-issued letter stating:
- College name
- Major / specialization
- Research area
For doctoral degrees, research supervision and institutional accreditation are closely examined.
Document Attestation Requirement (Mandatory Step)
All the academic certificates should be attested in proper way before you submit.
Standard Attestation Flow:
- Issuing institution/authority
- Ministry of Education (home country)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (country of origin)
- UAE Embassy (home country)
- MOFA Attestation in the UAE
The Ministry of Education will not authorize incomplete documents.
Common Reasons for Certificate Equivalency Rejection
Many applications fail due to avoidable mistakes:
- Degree issued by non-accredited universities
- Incomplete passport attendance records
- Online or distance education not compliant with MOE rules
- Name mismatch across documents
- Missing embassy verification letter
- Improper or incomplete attestation
Get Your Documents Attested in Dubai
Collecting documents is only half the process. Proper attestation and verification are equally critical to avoid rejection or delays.
At Benchmark Attestation Services, we provide end-to-end support for academic document attestation, including:
- UK Degree Attestation for UAE
- US Degree Attestation for UAE
- Indian Degree Attestation for UAE
- Birth Certificate Attestation
- Marriage Certificate Attestation
- Apostille Services in UAE
- MOFA Attestation
- Degree Certificate Attestation in Dubai
- MOFA Attestation Process
- Apostille vs Attestation – Not the same!
- Certificate Equivalency Application Guide
We also assist with:
Contact +971 50 474 1340 for professional advice and clear costs.
Related Resources
Final Thoughts
Certificate Attestation in UAE - The Only Guide You Will Ever Need for certificate verification, a Must Read-house" > Share on Facebook Certificate equivalency is an essential mandatory need for considering any overseas qualifications in the UAE. An accurate submission, full attestation and awareness of MOE rules can save weeks of waiting time as well as the rejection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is certificate equivalency mandatory for all jobs in UAE?
- Can equivalent be give to online or distance degrees?
- How much time does certificate equivalency take?
- Are private-sector jobs the same and our government playing favorites with OUR TAX DOLLARS?
- Can I apply without document attestation?
Yes, one of the skilled and professional category where verification of degree is needed.
Not unless the institution and program are in line with UAE MOE accreditations.
Usually 20 to 40 days of working days, depending on the complexity of the verification.
A vast majority of employers ask for it, especially if you’re applying for a managerial or professional position.
No, you must get it attested before equivalency is submitted.