Guide: Certificate attestation
MOE equivalency certificate in the UAE: what it is and what to prepare
An MOE equivalency certificate in the UAE is the name many people use for an official decision on what a foreign qualification is equal to in the UAE system, for example that a foreign bachelor’s degree is equal to a UAE bachelor’s degree. For a university degree issued outside the UAE, that decision comes from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), not the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Education handles school certificates. It is not the same as attestation. Attestation proves the document is genuine; equivalency judges the qualification. You usually need the attestation first.
Not everyone needs equivalency. It is mostly asked for by government employers, some licensing bodies, and universities admitting students with foreign certificates. Many private sector jobs only need the attested degree. The ministry decides every application; our part is getting the file ready so it is complete when you apply.
Side by side
Attestation and equivalency side by side
| Attestation | Equivalency | |
|---|---|---|
| What it answers | Is this document genuine? | What is this qualification worth in the UAE? |
| Who decides | Home country authorities, the UAE embassy there, and MOFA | For a degree, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research; for a school certificate, the Ministry of Education |
| What you get | Stamps on the original document | A separate equivalency certificate or decision |
| Who asks for it | Most employers, visa offices and regulators | Government employers, some regulators, universities |
| Order | First | After attestation |
Who usually asks for equivalency
- Government and semi-government employers, to grade a job and set pay.
- Some professional regulators, for example for teachers and some engineers.
- UAE universities, for students entering with a foreign school certificate (high school certificate equivalency) or applying for postgraduate study with a foreign degree.
If you are not sure, ask the office for its requirement in writing. Paying for equivalency you do not need is a common and avoidable cost.
Checklist
The file most applicants prepare
Requirements change and differ between degree and school equivalency, so treat this as a working list, not the official one.
- The degree certificate, attested through the full chain ending with MOFA.
- The transcript or mark sheets, usually attested as well.
- Earlier qualifications that the degree built on, such as the secondary school certificate.
- A passport copy, and evidence that you were in the country of study during the study period, where asked.
- A legally certified translation of any document not in Arabic or English.
Our degree attestation in Dubai page covers the attestation part of this list, and educational certificate attestation in Dubai covers school certificates.
Watch for
Why equivalency applications are delayed or refused
We cannot speak for the ministry’s decisions, but files are often returned for reasons that are visible before you apply:
- The degree is attested but the transcript is not.
- The name on the degree and the passport differ, with nothing linking them.
- The university or programme is not recognised in its own country for that qualification.
- The study mode (distance, online, or part time abroad) is one the ministry treats differently.
- A translation is missing or not certified.
Step by step
How we help with an equivalency file
01
We read your qualification documents and tell you whether the office that asked really needs equivalency.
02
We check that every document is attested through MOFA, and complete the MOFA step where it is missing.
03
We handle the translation of anything not in Arabic or English.
04
We put the file in the order the ministry asks for and go through the application with you.
05
The ministry assesses the file and issues its decision: MoHESR for a degree, the Ministry of Education for a school certificate.
Prices
Prices
| Service | Our service price | Government fees, paid on top at cost |
|---|---|---|
| Degree certificate attestation, MOFA stage | From AED 150 | MOFA AED 150 |
| Transcripts and mark sheets copy, notary certified | From AED 400 | Confirmed at booking |
| Legal translation | From AED 50 per page | AED 50 per page if notarised with the instrument |
| Equivalency file preparation | Ministry fee at cost |
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is MOFA equivalency the same as MOE equivalency?
No. People often say “MOFA equivalency”, but MOFA attests documents; it does not issue equivalency. For a degree from outside the UAE, equivalency comes from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research; for a school certificate, it comes from the Ministry of Education.
Do I need an MOE equivalency certificate in the UAE for a private sector job?
Often not. Many private employers only need the attested degree. Ask the employer for its written requirement.
Can I apply for equivalency before attestation?
In most cases the ministry expects attested documents, so attest first.
Is there equivalency for a high school certificate?
Yes, the Ministry of Education has a school certificate equivalency service, used mainly for university admission. You apply online on its website or at its offices in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Does equivalency expire?
The ministry does not state an expiry on the pages we cite. Check the certificate you receive and ask the receiving office.
Guides
More guides
MOFA attestation
MOFA attestation verification
MOFA attestation verification is the check an employer, school, bank or government office makes to confirm that the MOFA stamp or label on a document is real and belongs.
MOFA attestation
UAE attestation process
The UAE attestation process is a chain of signatures, each one confirming the one before it.
Ask us whether you need equivalency
Send photos of your degree, transcript and the requirement list you were given.
- Phone and WhatsApp: +971 52 947 5935
- Email: info@dubainotaryservices.com
Certificate attestation
More in this cluster
Service hub
Certificate attestation in Dubai is the chain of stamps that makes a degree, marriage certificate, birth certificate or similar paper acceptable to a UAE office.
Sources for this page
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FAQ (attestation chain and fees): https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/faqs
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attestation service: https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/services/attestation
- Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024 on notary fees (translation item): https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/2491
- UAE Government portal, Equalising high school certificates: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/education/school-education-k-12/equalising-high-school-certificates
- Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Recognition of university certificates issued from outside the UAE: https://www.mohesr.gov.ae/En/EServices/ServiceCard/pages/universiycertificateequilization.aspx