What is an Equivalency Certificate: How to Apply for Equivalency Certificate in UAE

Getting an equivalency certificate in UAE is a key step for anyone with a school degree from outside the country. This paper from the UAE Ministry of Education, checks if your foreign education matches local rules. It makes your degree official for jobs, school, or living in places like Dubai or equivalency certificate Abu Dhabi.​

Many people move to the UAE for work or study. The UAE degree equivalency process helps prove your skills are real. Without it, bosses or schools may not accept your papers. This is an expert guide that shows how to apply for equivalency certificate in UAE step-by-step, the costs, hence everything you need to know. 

What is an Equivalency Certificate?

An equivalency certificate is a special paper issued by the Ministry of Education in the UAE. They tell you whether or not your school degree from another nation is equivalent to a UAE school degree. They send you a certificate after they review your school’s studies and credentials.

Having a degree equivalency is essential if you wish to work or study in the country. For international degree recognition in the UAE, ministry equivalency is required, and to mitigate the submission of fraudulent documents, you need to submit all of your documents to the Ministry.

Why do you need an Equivalency Certificate in the UAE?

You need an equivalency certificate to use your degree here. Jobs in government, teaching, or health ask for it. Schools want it before you join classes. It proves that your documents required for degree equivalency UAE are good.​

The UAE degree equivalency certificate opens doors. It helps with work visas and Golden Visa degree equivalency in the UAE. Without it, you may face delays in jobs or residency. The equivalency certificate cost in the UAE is low compared to the benefits.​

Who needs an Equivalency Certificate?

Job seekers with outside degrees need an equivalency certificate in UAE. Teachers, doctors, and engineers must get foreign degree recognition UAE for licenses. Students planning to attend UAE colleges also need it.​

Golden Visa degree equivalency in the UAE applicants in skilled jobs requires it too. Expats in an equivalency certificate Abu Dhabi or Dubai use it for big companies. Check the Ministry of Education equivalency requirements if your job asks for school proof.

What are the Main Rules to Qualify for the Equivalency Certificate (Eligibility Requirements)

• Your school must be approved: The UAE checks if your university is real and good. Get proof from your school. No fake or bad schools allowed.​
• Degree level matches UAE: High school = 12 years of study. Bachelor’s = 4 years after high school. Master’s and PhD have more years. Subjects must fit the UAE plans.​
• You studied in person (mostly): Full-time class OK. Some online services may not work. Get a letter from school about how you studied.​
• Papers must be real: All degrees, mark sheets, and stamps needed. No copies only. Attest them first for the educational certificate attestation UAE.​
• For jobs or a visa: Teachers, health workers, and builders need it. An equivalency certificate Abu Dhabi or Dubai jobs, too. Golden Visa smart people must have it.​

How to Get Your Equivalency Certificate UAE: Easy Steps-by-Step Guide to Follow

An equivalency certificate proves that your school paper from another country is good here. The UAE Ministry of Education makes it. Follow these simple steps for the UAE degree equivalency process. It shows how to apply for equivalency certificate with all the UAE equivalency certificate requirements.​

Step 1: Check What You Need and Get Your Papers

• Find out the Ministry of Education equivalency requirements for high school, college, master’s, or PhD.
• Get your real degree paper, school marks sheet, passport copy, and Emirates ID if you have one.
• Ask for proof that your school is good and approved.
• For a college degree, you also need your high school papers.​

Step 2: Make Your Papers Official (Attestation)

• Take papers to your home country’s school office for a stamp.
• Go to your home country’s foreign office for the next stamp.
• Then, to the UAE Embassy in your home country.
• Last, get the UAE MOFA stamp when you come here.
• If papers are not in English or Arabic, translate them. Get a translation stamp from the UAE Justice Office. This is an educational certificate attestation UAE.​

Step 3: Check Papers are Real (PSV if Needed)

• Some need Primary Source Check with DataFlow or QuadraBay.
• Send your attested degree and marks for check.
• This helps with foreign degree recognition UAE. Wait 2-4 weeks.​

Step 4: Sign Up and Send Online Form

• Go to moe.gov.ae or the TAMM site.
• Use UAE pass to log in. Pick “Equivalency Certificate”.
• Fill the form. Upload all stamped papers and PSV if you have it.
• Pay equivalency certificate cost in the UAE – about AED 150 to 500.​

Step 5: Wait for the Check and Answer Fast

• The Ministry looks at your papers. Check if the school is real.
• They may ask for more, like class plans or attend proof.
• Takes 2-6 weeks. Check your form online every day.​

Step 6: Get Your Certificate

• If good, download the equivalency certificate from the site.
• Or pick up at the MOE office in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
• Use it for jobs, school, or a Golden Visa degree equivalency UAE in an equivalency certificate of Abu Dhabi.​

What are Complete Document Required for Degree Equivalency UAE

Core Documents (Must Have for All)

• Original degree certificate: Your main school paper, stamped and real.
• Academic transcripts: Marks sheets from all years of study.
• Passport copy: All pages with your photo and details.
• Emirates ID copy: Front and back if you live in the UAE.​

Extra Documents Needed in 2025

• ICA Travel Report or Entry-Exit Report: From the ICP site. Shows when you went to the study country. Must for post-2000 joins.​
• Medium of Instruction Certificate: Letter from your school says classes were in English or Arabic. Needed if not clear.​
• High school certificate: For a bachelor’s or higher degree. Must be attested too.​
• Proof of attendance in the country of study: A Letter from the school shows you went to classes there. Big need if enrolled after 2000.​

Other Helpful Papers

• UAE visa copy: If you have one.
• University accreditation proof: A Letter from their government approving your school.
• PSV report: From DataFlow or QuadraBay if MOE asks.

What is Primary Source Verification (PSV) for Equivalency Certificate UAE

Primary Source Verification, or PSV, checks if your degree is real. A company calls your school to confirm that you studied there and got the paper. It’s now needed for most equivalency certificates. This proves foreign degree recognition to the Ministry of Education. Without PSV, your application may stop.​

Why Is PSV Mandatory?

It’s a must for the certificate of equivalency. DataFlow or QuadraBay talks to your university. They ask for your records to make sure they are not fake. UAE rules say it’s a must for the UAE equivalency process now. It helps to fulfil the equivalency requirements and process. Jobs and Golden Visa degree equivalency in the UAE trust it more.​

What is the DataFlow vs QuadraBay Verification Process

• DataFlow: Most people use this. Go to dataflowgroup.com. Pick the UAE MOE service. Upload papers. They contact the school. Good for doctors and teachers.​
• QuadraBay: New choice, like DataFlow. Go to their site. Same steps, but sometimes faster. Pick what fits your school country.​

Both give a report PDF that you upload to MOE. DataFlow is older and known. QuadraBay may cost less for some.​

What are the Required Documents for PSV Submission

• Clear copy of your degree paper.
• Full academic transcripts (all mark sheets).
• Passport copy.
• If not English/Arabic, legal translation.
• Sometimes, high school papers, too.
• Scan clear PDFs. No photos from the phone.​

What is the Estimated Timeline and Costs for PSV; Certificate of Equivalency

• Time: 2-6 weeks. Fast track is 5-10 days, extra money.
• Cost: AED 800-1500 for degree + transcripts. Changes by country and fast option. Check the site for your case.

Start PSV after attestation. Do it before the MOE form to save time.

Equivalency Certificate for UAE Golden Visa Applicants

Many smart workers apply for Golden Visa degree equivalency UAE. This long-stay visa needs an equivalency certificate for some jobs. It proves your school paper matches UAE rules. Get it from the Ministry of Education before the Golden Visa form. This is part of the degree equivalency process in the UAE for top people.​

Specific Requirements for Golden Visa Categories

These jobs must have an equivalency certificate in UAE with full attestation and PSV:

• Managers and Chief Executives: Need a degree + salary proof, AED 30,000. Equivalency shows your school fits the leader roles.​
• Engineers: Degree in engineering fields. Must match UAE tech standards.​
• Doctors: Medical degree verified. An extra health license is needed, too.​
• Scientists: PhD or research degree. Proof of work in science.​

All need an attested degree, transcripts, a passport, and a PSV from DataFlow/QuadraBay. Check the Ministry of Education equivalency requirements on moe.gov.ae.​

Is Equivalency Mandatory for All Visa Types?

No, not for every Golden Visa. Investors or property buyers skip it. Only skilled job types like managers, engineers, doctors, and scientists need it. Check your category on the ICP site. Foreign degree recognition UAE helps these groups most.​

What are the Common Challenges in the Equivalency Process

Getting an equivalency certificate can have problems. Many face delays or no approval. Here are key areas that need improvement in the degree equivalency process for the UAE to meet the MOE Equivalency.   

Missing or Incorrect Attestations  

• Skip one stamp (your home country, embassy, MOFA), and MOE will say no to you.  
• Fix: Get a full educational certificate attestation UAE chain first.  

Translation Errors   

• Wrong words or no UAE Justice stamp on it.  
• Fix: Get certified translators. Ensure it is straightened out.   

Document Verification Delays from Home Universities   

• Schools are slow to respond to DataFlow or PSV.   
• Fix: Start PSV early. Ask the school for quick help.   

Non-Accredited Universities  

• Your school is not on MOE’s good list.  
• Fix: Check that list before applying. The top 200 is easier.  

What are the Post-Approval Steps and Usage for Equivalency Certificate

After getting your equivalency certificate UAE, use it right away. It proves your degree is good for UAE jobs, school, or a stay. Print or save a PDF copy.​

How to Use Your Equivalency Certificate in UAE

After approval, your equivalency certificate opens doors. Use the PDF or print for these needs.​

• Jobs: Give to HR or boss. Needed for work visa and foreign degree recognition in the UAE. Many UAE jobs ask for it first.​
• Higher School: Show UAE colleges to join classes. Prove that your past degree is good.​
• Residency: Required for Golden Visa degree equivalency in the UAE or long stay visa. ICP checks it.

What is the Validity Period and Renewal for Equivalency Certificate

Your equivalency certificate stays good forever. No expiry date on the paper. It works for life in most cases.​

• No auto expiry: Use anytime for jobs or school. Check the company rules to see if they want a new one.​
• Renew if needed: Re-apply the same way on the MOE site if lost or the job asks for fresh copy.

What are the Expert’s Tips For a Smooth Equivalency Certificate Process  

Tips to help delay or avoid the UAE degree equivalency process:  

• Check Degree from a Recognized School

Only approved schools get foreign degree recognition in the UAE.  

• Get Proper Translation and Attestation

Use a certified translator.  

• Upload Clear PDF Documents

No blurry scans. Use good light, PDF format only for documents required for degree equivalency UAE.​

• Track Status on MOE Portal Daily:

Log in with UAE PASS. Reply fast to requests.

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FAQs

Q1: Can I apply for equivalency without MOFA attestation?

No, the MOFA attestation of your educational documents is mandatory before applying for the equivalency certificate through the Ministry of Education portal. This ensures document authenticity. ​

Q1: Where do I get it, and how long does the equivalency process take?

It typically takes 2 to 6 weeks, depending on how comprehensive your documents are and whether they can be verified. Returning the proper documents early helps facilitate their case. ​

Q1: For the UAE Golden Visa, do I require an equivalency?

Yes, for many skilled categories like doctors, engineers, managers, and scientists. An equivalency certificate is required to prove your qualifications.​

Q1: Can certificates from distance learning be equivalency approved?

Mostly No. Degrees obtained purely through distance learning after 2018 usually do not qualify for equivalency in the UAE.​

Q1: Is there an expiry date for the equivalency certificate? 

No fixed expiry for most cases. The certificate remains valid unless the employer or licensing authority asks for an updated evaluation.

Conclusion

An equivalency certificate is key for work, school, and staying in the UAE. It proves your foreign degree is good here. Jobs, colleges, and the Golden Visa degree equivalency UAE all need it for foreign degree recognition in the UAE.​

Follow the steps correctly for fast approval in the UAE degree equivalency process. Check papers, attest full, track online. No delays if you know how to apply for an equivalency certificate in the UAE.

Contact Our Business Setup Experts in Dubai for a more Streamlined Process of Getting an Equivalency Certificate UAE!