Recognition of University Certificates Issued Outside the UAE

What is a Recognition Report?

A Recognition Report is an official document issued by the UAE MoHESR (Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research) that confirms your foreign qualification meets national standards and international benchmarks. Federal and government entities in the UAE accept this report as proof of your academic credentials.

You can obtain recognition for your foreign qualifications needed for:

1. Employment in the UAE labour market
2. Applying for further higher education in the UAE
3. Processing visa and residency applications
4. Meeting the requirements of federal and government entities

Recognition Process Overview

The process involves two stages: verification through an accredited partner, followed by recognition through the MoHESR.

Stage 1: Verification Through Accredited Partner

Select one of three accredited partners (DataFlow, QuadraBay, or VFS). Log in using UAE Pass, choose your verification package, and submit your documents with payment. The partner verifies your qualification with the awarding institution and issues a verification report with a reference number.

Stage 2: Recognition Through Ministry Platform

Log in to the MoHESR website using UAE Pass. Enter your verification report reference number and date of birth. Review the auto-populated details, pay the recognition fee, and receive your result by email. Download the recognition report from your Ministry account.

Required Documents for All Applicants

1. Qualification Verification ReportObtained through one of the three accredited partners listed above. Exception: Emirati students who received scholarships from UAE entities may submit a scholarship letter instead. These qualifications receive automatic recognition under existing agreements.
2. Original Graduation CertificateSubmit the original certificate or its equivalent. If unavailable, obtain it from your awarding institution.
3. Legal TranslationAll documents not issued in Arabic or English require certified legal translation.

Additional Documents Based on Qualification Level

For Bachelor’s Degrees or Diplomas:

Official academic transcript covering the complete study period, signed and stamped by the institution.

For Postgraduate Qualifications:

Thesis abstract, if the programme was research-based.

Recognition Conditions

Your qualification must meet these requirements:

1. The certificate must be original and authentic
2. The awarding institution must have been accredited by the relevant authority in the country of study during your enrolment period
3. All required documents must be complete and submitted according to Ministry requirements

Processing Time

Total: 18 working days

Verification of qualification authenticity: 15 working days

Issuance of recognition report: 3 working days

Processing may take longer if the application requires further evaluation, the awarding institution delays its response, or documents are incomplete and unclear.