You get degree equivalency in the UAE from the Ministry of Education (MoE) through its online Certificate Equivalency service: first your qualification is verified by the MoE’s verification partner, then you submit the attested degree, transcripts and supporting documents on the MoE portal and receive a digital equivalency certificate, usually needed for government jobs, teaching, healthcare licensing and Golden Visa files.
Quick facts
- Who issues it: UAE Ministry of Education — Equivalency Department, via moe.gov.ae
- Cost: Verification plus equivalency fees combined typically run to several hundred dirhams — check the MoE portal for the current fee for your qualification level
- Time needed: Commonly 10-30 working days depending on how fast your university responds to verification
- Where: Fully online; your university is contacted directly for verification
- Before you start: Your degree must be attested by the UAE embassy in the study country and MOFA in the UAE (or issued with an approved e-attestation)
How to get equivalency, step by step
- Attest your documents first. Your degree certificate and transcripts should carry attestation from the education authorities and foreign ministry in the country of study, the UAE embassy there, and finally the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Skip this and the application will stall.
- Start qualification verification. The MoE uses a verification service (currently DataFlow for many qualifications) to confirm directly with your university that your degree is genuine and the institution is accredited. Create the verification case, pay the fee and upload your documents when the MoE service directs you to.
- Create your MoE account and apply. Sign in to the Ministry of Education portal with UAE PASS, open the Certificate Equivalency service for your level (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD), and fill in your study details exactly as printed on your certificates.
- Upload everything. Degree, full transcripts/mark sheets, passport, Emirates ID (if you have one), entry/exit or visa evidence for your study period if asked, and a letter from the university for distance-learning or credit-transfer cases. Uploads must be clear colour PDFs.
- Pay the equivalency fee. Pay online in the portal. Keep the receipt and application reference.
- Respond to any MoE queries. The department may ask for a syllabus, an accreditation letter, or proof that your study mode is recognised. Universities that are unaccredited, or degrees completed entirely by unapproved distance learning, may be refused.
- Download your equivalency certificate. Once approved, the certificate is issued digitally in your MoE account. Download and keep both the certificate and the verification report — employers and licensing bodies often ask for both.
Documents needed in detail
Beyond the attested degree and transcripts, prepare: a valid passport copy, Emirates ID if you are a resident, previous certificates (for a master’s equivalency, your bachelor’s degree and transcripts are also required; for a PhD, both earlier degrees), and — for professional fields like medicine, engineering and teaching — any home-country licence. If your name differs between passport and degree (marriage, spelling), add the legal proof of name change. Documents not in Arabic or English need certified translation.
Costs in AED
Expect three cost layers. Attestation abroad varies by country but commonly totals the equivalent of AED 300-800 including embassy and MOFA stamps. Verification fees depend on the provider and number of documents — typically around AED 300-500. The MoE equivalency fee itself varies by qualification level — typically around AED 50-100 for the certificate service, with higher fees for some categories. Because fees are revised, treat all of these as estimates and confirm the exact amounts in the MoE portal when you apply.
Common mistakes
The biggest delay is an unresponsive university: tell your university’s registrar in advance that a verification request is coming, and give them the case reference. Other frequent problems: submitting an attested copy but uploading an unattested scan, degrees from unaccredited or blacklisted institutions, study periods that clash with UAE residence records (for example, claiming full-time study abroad while on a UAE work visa), and applying for a job that needs equivalency only after you arrive — start the process from your home country if you can, as it can take a month or more. Distance and online degrees are assessed case by case; do not assume acceptance, and check the MoE’s recognised-institution criteria before paying.
FAQ
Do I need equivalency for a private-sector job?
Not always — many private employers accept an attested degree alone. Equivalency is typically mandatory for government and semi-government roles, teachers, licensed healthcare and engineering roles, and some visa categories. If your employer asks for it, you need it.
My university has closed down. Can I still get equivalency?
Possibly, if the education authority in the study country can verify your award from its own records. Provide whatever official confirmation that authority issues and explain the situation in the application; verification just takes longer in these cases.
Is the equivalency certificate valid for life?
Yes, once issued for a specific qualification it does not expire, and you can re-download it from your MoE account. You need a separate equivalency for each qualification level you want recognised.
