Certificate equivalency in the UAE: how degrees and course certificates are checked

If you are moving to the UAE for work, or hiring someone who is, "certificate equivalency" is probably one of the first things you search for. The answer depends on what kind of certificate it is. A university degree, a school leaving certificate and a certificate from a short training course each follow a different path, run by different authorities.

This article sticks to what the government pages themselves say, with links so you can check the current version. Procedures and fees change, so treat the linked pages as the authority, not this summary. We read them in November 2026.

Equivalency is now called recognition

For university degrees, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) has renamed the service. Its FAQ says that "Recognition" is the new name for the service previously known as "Equivalency", and that the recognition service replaces the equivalency service following the introduction of the University Qualifications Recognition System (MOHESR, Recognition of qualification from outside the UAE).

Many people still search for "equivalency", so both words are used below. On MOHESR's own pages, look for "recognition".

University degrees issued outside the UAE

MOHESR's service page describes an official recognition report for higher education qualifications obtained from institutions outside the UAE. It lists three kinds of users: individuals seeking recognition for employment or further study, private sector employers ensuring candidates meet academic and professional standards, and government entities verifying credentials for visa and residency requirements.

According to the same page, the process has two stages:

1. Verification by an authorised partner. The applicant chooses one of the Ministry's accredited partners. The page says the chosen partner reviews the request and contacts the awarding institution to verify the qualification. MOHESR lists its current partners on its Qualification Recognition page.
2. The Ministry's recognition report. Once verification is complete, the applicant continues to the recognition application and receives the final decision with a link to a digital recognition report.

The required documents listed are the original graduation certificate (or its equivalent) and a clear copy of the passport photo page. The page states a service completion time of 18 working days.

Two points from MOHESR's recognition FAQ are worth knowing. First, the Ministry recognises academic or higher technical qualifications equivalent to or higher than a diploma or bachelor's degree, including master's and doctoral degrees. Second, attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not the same as verification. The FAQ says that this attestation only verifies the country where the certificate was issued and does not confirm its authenticity, which is what the university's verification letter does.

University degrees issued inside the UAE

For qualifications from higher education institutions in the UAE, MOHESR has a separate recognition service. The page says a qualification is recognised automatically if it is issued by an institution on the Ministry's list with active cooperation agreements, and that verification is provided through a QR code on the certificate or transcript. It also notes that holders of professional qualifications cannot complete the application unless their data is registered with the National Qualifications Centre.

How an employer can check a recognition report

MOHESR offers a free service to verify the authenticity of a recognition certificate. The user signs in with UAE Pass and enters the document number and verification number shown on the certificate, and the result appears immediately. The page lists organisations handling employment and labour market entry among its users. It also states that the result confirms authenticity only and does not replace the original recognition certificate.

School certificates go to the Ministry of Education

Grade 12 certificates are handled by the Ministry of Education (MOE), not MOHESR. For a general education certificate issued abroad, the MOE service page says the Grade 12 transcript and certificate must be attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and that a legal translation is required for any certificates or transcripts issued in a language other than Arabic or English.

On translation for university degrees, MOHESR's FAQ says that you can use any legal translation service provider accredited by the relevant authorities. We did not find a MOHESR page that lists which languages are accepted without translation.

Training course certificates are a different matter

A certificate from a two day workshop or a professional short course is not a degree, and the university recognition route is not built for it. MOHESR's recognition FAQ states that the Credentials Recognition Committee does not consider vocational certificates that do not involve study, or certificates awarded as a result of training courses.

In Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has its own service. Its page on attesting training institute certificates says it allows training institutes to request attestation of certificates for registered trainees enrolled in KHDA authorised training courses at private training institutes in Dubai, and that the course must be authorised and approved by KHDA. KHDA's Administrative Resolution No. (2) of 2018 describes the same step: a training institute submits an attestation application to KHDA before delivering training certificates to learners.

Outside these cases, we found no government page describing a general procedure for how a private employer should check a short course certificate. In practice that check happens between the employer and the organisation that issued the certificate.

Where a digital course certificate fits

This is the part Diplino deals with. Diplino issues course certificates for training providers, not degrees or school certificates. Each certificate has its own public verification page and QR code and is digitally signed, so an employer can open the page and see the certificate as the issuer recorded it, without creating an account. Certificates can carry Arabic and English on the same page, and the verification page shows both languages.

To be clear about the limits: Diplino is not connected to MOHESR, the Ministry of Education, KHDA or any other UAE authority, and a Diplino certificate does not replace recognition, equivalency or attestation where those are required. If you run a KHDA authorised course in Dubai, KHDA's attestation step applies as described above.

If you want to see what a bilingual, verifiable course certificate looks like, the bilingual certificates page lets you download a free sample. No sign-up needed.