What Is an Equivalency Certificate and Why It Matters ?
An Equivalency Certificate (also known as a Certificate of Recognition) is a formal validation issued by the UAE’s Ministry of Education (or Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, MOHESR). It verifies that your foreign educational qualifications—whether from a degree, diploma, or high school certificate—meet the UAE’s academic standards and are recognized for use in employment, higher education, visa applications, and professional licensing
Who Needs an Equivalency Certificate?
You’ll typically need an equivalency certificate if:
- You’re planning to pursue further education in the UAE.
- You’re applying for a job requiring proof of certified education abroad.
- You’re applying for certain visa types, like the Golden Visa.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get Your Equivalency Certificate in the UAE
1. Get Your Documents Attested
First, have your educational documents authenticated:
- From your institution → home country’s Ministry of Education → Ministry of Foreign Affairs → UAE Embassy.
- Once in the UAE, you must get them attested by MOFAIC (Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation).
- If documents are not in Arabic or English, have them translated legally and attested by the UAE Ministry of Justice
2. Verification via Authorized Partner
The UAE often requires independent verification of your degree before submission:
- Submit your attested documents to an authorized body such as DataFlow for degree verification.
- Once verified, they provide a report you’ll need when applying to the MOHESR or MoE
3. Create an Account & Apply Online
- Register on the MoE (Ministry of Education) or MOHESR portal, depending on the current authority handling equivalency.
- Upload all attested and verified documents, along with your passport, transcript, and translated files if needed
4. Pay the Fees
Relevant fees must be paid online. Fees vary depending on your degree level and institution.
5. Wait for Processing
The review time can vary from a few weeks to a few months, depending on document complexity and institution ranking.
6. Download Your Certificate
Once approved, you’ll be able to download the Equivalency Certificate directly from the portal.
Importance Equivalency Certificate
An Equivalency Certificate is essential for anyone looking to study, work, or settle long-term in the UAE. While the process involves multiple steps—attestation, translation, verification, and online submission—careful preparation can help ensure smooth approval. Stay updated on changes between MoE and MOHESR platforms, and know that reapplication or appeals can work if the first attempt doesn’t succeed.
Q1. What exactly is an Equivalency Certificate?
An official validation from the UAE government confirming that your foreign qualifications align with UAE academic standards.
Q2. Which UAE authority issues it?
It’s usually issued by the Ministry of Education (MoE) or, more recently, the Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR).
Q3. What documents are needed?
- Attested degree/diploma certificate
- Academic transcript
- Passport and possibly Emirates ID
- Legal translations if needed
- Verification report from DataFlow or similar
Q4. Are online degrees accepted?
Yes—provided the institution is accredited. Exceptions include regulated professions like medicine, law, and engineering.
Q5. How long does processing take?
Processing can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on document completeness and institutional ranking.
Q6. What can cause rejection?
- Non‑recognized universities
- Incomplete or improperly attested documents
- Online or distance‑learning degrees in restricted fields.
Q7. What if my application is rejected?
You usually have an opportunity to appeal within a set timeframe (like three months). Alternatively, reapply via the MOHESR system using valid verification and proper documentation.
Q8. Is the Equivalency Certificate required for the Golden Visa?
Yes. The Golden Visa often requires proof of recognized educational qualifications, typically through an Equivalency Certificate.