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What is an equivalency certificate? An equivalency certificate (in Arabic «معادلة الشهادة», often searched as «معادلة الشهادات») is the UAE's official recognition that a university degree earned outside the UAE is genuine and equal to a UAE-recognised qualification. It is issued online by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) and is needed for many jobs, licences and further study.
Now officially called University Certificates Recognition. The UAE replaced the old university "equivalency" system with this name in 2023; most people, employers and authorities still call it the equivalency certificate.
An equivalence certificate — also called an equivalency certificate, degree equalization certificate, or genuinity certificate — is an official document issued by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) confirming that a foreign academic qualification meets UAE standards and is equivalent to a UAE-recognised degree. It is mandatory for many government and private-sector jobs, professional licensing (engineers, doctors, teachers, nurses), Golden Visa applications, and further study in the UAE. Without an equivalence certificate, a foreign degree may not be officially accepted by UAE authorities.
Wordcraft handles the entire equivalence process end-to-end across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and all emirates — including the required document attestation and legal translation — with free UAE-wide pickup and delivery.
What Is an Equivalence Certificate? Meaning & Purpose
The meaning of an “equivalence certificate” is straightforward: it is the formal recognition by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) that a degree or diploma earned abroad is equal in level to the corresponding UAE qualification. MOHESR verifies both the genuineness of the qualification (that the certificate is authentic and the institution is recognised) and its equivalency (that the academic level matches UAE standards). Employers, licensing bodies and government departments rely on this certificate to trust foreign credentials.
Equivalence vs Equivalency vs Equalization vs Genuinity — What’s the Difference?
- Equivalence / Equivalency certificate — the same document; both spellings are used interchangeably for the MOHESR recognition of a foreign degree.
- Equalization certificate — another commonly used name for the same equivalency outcome.
- Genuinity (genuineness) certificate — confirms the authenticity of the qualification and that the awarding institution is recognised; it is part of the equivalence assessment.
Who Needs an Equivalence Certificate in the UAE?
- Applicants for UAE government jobs and many private-sector roles that require a verified degree.
- Professionals seeking licensing — engineers, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and teachers.
- Golden Visa applicants who qualify based on educational achievement.
- Students enrolling in postgraduate or further study at UAE institutions.
- Employees needing their salary grade or job title aligned to their qualification.
Required documents for equivalency of Intermediate Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree
- Attested Graduate Certificate and transcript
- Transferred hours transcript in each institute (if the transferred hours were 15 hours or above)
- Genuine Certificate (Authenticity of the qualification)
- Legal translation of the certificate or transcript (if the certificate is other than in Arabic or English)
- Attested High School certificate
- Attendance in the country of study (Passport or residence proof)
Postgraduate or Higher degree
- Attested Graduate Certificate and transcript
- Copy of transcript in each institute (if the transferred hours were 15 hours or above)
- Genuine Certificate (Authenticity of the qualification)
- Legal translation of certificate or transcript required when it is other than Arabic or English languages
- Attested bachelor’s degree
- Preceding equivalency
- Attendance in the country of study (passport and proof of residence)
- An official letter validates the starting date of your graduation
- College name and Major (If it is not mentioned in the certificate)
- If the college name and major are not mentioned in the certificate need an official letter validating the name and major by the awarding university
Step-by-Step Process to Get Your Equivalence Certificate from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR)
- Attest in the issuing country — get your degree and transcripts attested by the relevant authorities and the UAE Embassy in the country of study.
- MOFA attestation — the UAE Embassy now completes the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation digitally in the same step, so no separate MOFA submission in the UAE is needed in most cases.
- Legal translation — if the documents are not in Arabic or English, obtain a certified legal translation.
- Apply to MOHESR — submit the equivalency application with all supporting documents through the services of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. School certificates are equalized by the Ministry of Education instead.
- Review & issuance — MOHESR verifies genuineness and academic level, then issues the equivalence certificate.
Equivalence Certificate Fees & Processing Time
Government equivalency fees are set by MOHESR and vary by qualification level (for example, bachelor’s, master’s or PhD). Processing usually takes a number of working days once a complete application with all attested documents has been submitted, though timelines depend on the case, the issuing country and the emirate. For the current MOHESR fee and an accurate timeline for your specific qualification, contact Wordcraft for a free assessment.
Reasons for Rejecting Equivalency Certificate in UAE
- Required documents or information not successfully provided.
- Documents about online education or distance education.
- Mismatch of the information on the passport with the information on the educational records.
- Also, when the university is not duly recognized by MOHESR.
- Supporting documentation, such as a letter of Genuinely, and entry and exit status not provided.
How to Get Equivalency Certificate in UAE?
Getting an equivalency certificate in UAE involves some procedures both in the issued country and UAE. Also, the applications may be rejected If any required document or any required information is not provided. Presently, Wordcraft helps you to get your Equivalency Certificate for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and all other emirates in the UAE. You can message us on WhatsApp anytime with any question — we reply during office hours — and we arrange delivery all over the UAE. Additionally, your documents are handled securely and confidentially throughout the process.
UAE Embassy and MOFA Attestation Abu Dhabi, Dubai, UAE
Any Document issued from outside the UAE and will be used for official purposes inside the country must be duly attested by all concerned authorities abroad and legalised by the UAE Embassy there, which now completes the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation digitally in the same step. Also, any document issued by a UAE government entity and intended to be used outside the UAE must be duly attested by the entity issuing it, then the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs then the embassy of the country in which it will be used further.
Equivalency Certificate Rejected? How to Fix It and Reapply
Equivalency rejections are common, and most of them can be fixed. The ministry usually states a reason; match it to the fix below before you reapply.
| Rejection reason | What usually fixes it |
|---|---|
| Missing or unattested documents (transcript, earlier qualification, high school certificate) | Attest the missing documents in the issuing country and at the UAE Embassy there, then resubmit the complete file |
| Name or date mismatch between passport and certificates | An official letter from the university, a corrected certificate, or supporting documents that link both names |
| No proof of attendance in the country of study | Passport entry and exit stamps, or a residence or travel record for the study period |
| Online, distance or part-time study | Check whether the program meets the ministry's rules; if not, a different qualification may need to be used |
| University or program not recognized | Confirm the institution's accreditation status in its home country and with the ministry before reapplying |
| Genuineness (authenticity) not confirmed | A verification letter from the awarding university, or a verification route the ministry accepts |
Why was my equivalency certificate rejected in the UAE?
The most common reasons are an incomplete file, unattested supporting documents, a name mismatch with the passport, no proof that you lived in the country of study, or a program studied online or by distance learning.
Can I reapply after an equivalency rejection?
Usually, yes. Once the reason is fixed, for example by attesting the missing document or obtaining the university letter, the application can be submitted again.
Do I have to attest my documents again after a rejection?
Not normally. Documents that were correctly attested stay valid for the application; only the missing or corrected documents need attestation.
How can Wordcraft help with a rejected equivalency?
Send us the rejection message and your documents on WhatsApp. We identify what is missing, attest it in the issuing country, arrange a legal translation by our MOJ-certified legal translators if a document is not in Arabic or English, and prepare the file for resubmission, starting with a written quote in 10–30 minutes. Start with degree certificate attestation if your degree itself is not yet attested.
Before You Apply: Equivalency Checklist
- Degree and full transcript attested in the country of study and at the UAE Embassy there (MOFA included digitally)
- Earlier qualifications attested too — high school certificate for a bachelor's degree, bachelor's degree for a master's
- Names and dates identical across passport, certificates and transcripts
- Passport pages or records proving you lived in the country of study during the program
- Legal translation for any document not in Arabic or English
- Letters from the university for anything the certificate does not state (major, study mode, start date)
Running through this list before you apply prevents most rejections.
Who issues the equivalency certificate
- UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR): recognises university degrees and diplomas issued outside the UAE. The service is listed by the ministry as recognition of university certificates issued from outside the UAE, and the application is made online through the ministry's e-services, signing in with UAE PASS.
- The awarding university: MoHESR checks the authenticity of the certificate with the university that issued it, so the university's records must match your certificate, transcript and passport.
- Authorities in the country of study and the UAE embassy there: attest the degree before you apply. For documents issued abroad, the UAE embassy now completes the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation digitally in the same step.
- School certificates: equalisation of school certificates (for example a high school certificate) is handled by the UAE Ministry of Education, not MoHESR.
The name changed in 2023, when "University Certificates Recognition" replaced the earlier university qualification equivalency system. The purpose is the same: confirming that a foreign degree is authentic and recognised in the UAE. Wordcraft is not a government office. We prepare, attest and translate your documents and help you submit the application, so the file reaches the ministry complete.
Documents you need, by case
| Your case | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or intermediate diploma from abroad | Attested degree certificate and full transcript, attested high school certificate, proof that you lived in the country of study (passport stamps or residence record), and a passport copy |
| Master's degree or PhD from abroad | Attested degree and transcript, attested bachelor's degree and its earlier recognition where it is from abroad, proof of attendance in the country of study, and a university letter for anything the certificate does not state (major, start date) |
| Credits transferred between universities | A transcript from each institution where you studied, attested as required |
| Certificate or transcript not in Arabic or English | A certified legal translation into Arabic or English, alongside the attested original |
| Name or date of birth differs between passport and certificates | An official letter or corrected document from the university, or supporting documents that link both versions |
| High school certificate for use in the UAE | Attestation in the issuing country and at the UAE embassy, then equalisation through the UAE Ministry of Education (not MoHESR) |
The ministry decides the final list for each application. Send us clear photos of your documents on WhatsApp first, and we tell you what is missing before anything is attested.
Who does each step
| Step | Who does it |
|---|---|
| Check your degree, earlier qualifications and the right route | Wordcraft |
| Attestation of the degree and transcript in the country of study | The issuing authorities in that country |
| UAE embassy attestation, with MOFA attestation completed digitally in the same step | The UAE embassy or consulate in the country of study |
| Legal translation, if a document is not in Arabic or English | Wordcraft's MOJ-certified legal translators |
| Online application, signed in with UAE PASS | You, with Wordcraft preparing the file and guiding the submission |
| Authenticity check with the awarding university and the recognition decision | UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research |
Timelines depend on the issuing country, the embassy, the university's response and the ministry's review. We confirm the expected timeline for your case in writing before we start.
What decides the cost
- Your qualification level: diploma, bachelor's, master's or PhD
- The country of study, and which attestations are still missing there
- How many documents need attesting, including earlier qualifications and transcripts
- Whether any document needs a legal translation
- Whether you need urgent handling or collection and delivery
Government fees are payable at cost. We confirm the exact fees and our service charge in writing before any work begins.
Contact Wordcraft about your equivalency
Wordcraft Dubai (head office)
Office 307, Arzoo Building (Sharjah Islamic Bank Building), next to Al Twar Centre, Dubai
Toll-free: 800 9673 · Office: 04 239 6262
WhatsApp: Send us your documents
Email: info@wordcraft.ae
We also have offices in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, with collection and delivery across the UAE. Opening hours and directions are on our Dubai office page. Related services: degree certificate attestation, MOFA attestation and legal translation in Dubai.
Official sources
- UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research: recognition of university certificates issued outside the UAE
- UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (mohesr.gov.ae)
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Documents Attestation
Frequently Asked Questions: Equivalence Certificate UAE
What is an equivalence certificate?
An equivalence certificate (also called an equivalency certificate) is an official document from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) confirming that a foreign degree is equivalent to a UAE-recognised qualification. It is required for many jobs, professional licensing and Golden Visa applications.
What is the difference between equivalency and equivalence certificate?
There is no difference — “equivalence” and “equivalency” are spelling variants for the same MOHESR document recognising a foreign degree in the UAE.
What is a genuinity certificate or equalization certificate?
Both terms refer to parts of the same process. The genuinity (genuineness) certificate confirms a qualification is authentic and from a recognised institution, while “equalization” is another name for the equivalency recognition itself.
Do I need attestation before applying for equivalency?
Yes. Your degree normally must be attested by the issuing country’s authorities, the UAE Embassy there, and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) before MOHESR will issue the equivalence certificate.
Is an equivalence certificate required for the UAE Golden Visa?
For several Golden Visa categories based on educational qualifications, a MOHESR equivalency is typically required to verify the foreign degree.
How long does an equivalence certificate take in the UAE?
It usually takes a number of working days after a complete, fully attested application is submitted to MOHESR, but timelines vary by qualification and emirate. Contact Wordcraft for an estimate for your specific case.
What does «معادلة الشهادة» mean?
«معادلة الشهادة» (plural «معادلة الشهادات») is the Arabic term for an equivalency certificate: the UAE's official recognition that a degree earned abroad is genuine and equal to a UAE-recognised qualification. You will see it on Arabic job adverts, licensing requirements and government forms that ask for a recognised foreign degree.
Is the equivalency certificate now called University Certificates Recognition?
Yes. In 2023 the UAE replaced the old university qualification equivalency system with University Certificates Recognition. Most employers and people still say equivalency certificate, and both names refer to the official recognition of a foreign university degree by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Can I apply for the equivalency certificate online?
Yes. The application is made online through the e-services of the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, signing in with UAE PASS. Your degree must be attested in the country of study and at the UAE embassy there before you apply. Wordcraft prepares the complete file and guides you through the submission.
Who handles equivalency for a high school certificate?
School certificates, such as a high school certificate, are equalised by the UAE Ministry of Education, not by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The certificate still needs attestation in the issuing country and at the UAE embassy there first. We confirm the right route when you send us the document.
Does my degree need to be translated for the equivalency application?
Only if it is not in Arabic or English. A certificate or transcript in any other language needs a certified legal translation. Wordcraft's MOJ-certified legal translators prepare the translation, so the attestation, translation and application file can be handled together under one order.
Can Wordcraft handle my equivalency application for me?
We handle everything around it: checking your documents, arranging attestation in the country of study and at the UAE embassy, legal translation, and preparing the complete application file. The online application uses your UAE PASS, so we guide you through the submission. Wordcraft is not a government office; the decision is made by the ministry.
Last updated: October 2026
