Certificate Equivalency UAE — MOE & MOHE Degree Evaluation 2026
What is certificate equivalency and who needs it in the UAE?
Certificate equivalency (equivalency certificate) is the process of evaluating a foreign educational qualification against UAE standards. The UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) handles school-level equivalency, while MOHE handles university degrees. It is required for government employment, teaching, engineering licensing, healthcare licensing, and university admission in the UAE. Your certificate must be fully attested (home country → embassy → MOFA) before applying. The MOE fee is approximately AED 140 and processing takes 15-30 working days.
About Certificate Equivalency
Certificate equivalency (also called an equivalency certificate or degree equivalency) is a formal evaluation by the UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) or the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHE) that determines whether a foreign educational qualification is equivalent to a UAE qualification. This is different from attestation — attestation verifies the document is genuine, while equivalency evaluates the academic standard and assigns a UAE-equivalent level.
An equivalency certificate is required for government and semi-government employment in the UAE, regulated professions (teaching in public and private schools, engineering licensing, healthcare licensing), admission to UAE universities for further education, and certain private sector positions that specify UAE-equivalent qualifications. Without MOE equivalency, your foreign degree may not be recognized for these purposes even if it is fully attested.
The MOE handles equivalency for school certificates and general education qualifications, while the MOHE handles university degrees, masters, and doctoral qualifications. The evaluation considers the accreditation and recognition status of the foreign institution, curriculum content and credit hours, grading system, and overall qualification level. Applications can be submitted through the MOE online portal.
Before applying for equivalency, your certificates must be fully attested through the standard attestation chain: home country authentication → embassy attestation → MOFA attestation. The equivalency application cannot be submitted without completed attestation. The MOE evaluation typically takes 15-30 working days after submission of all attested documents. AttestExpress handles both the attestation and the equivalency application process — we ensure your documents are properly attested first, then submit the MOE/MOHE application on your behalf.
Documents Required
- Attested degree certificate (full attestation chain completed)
- Attested transcript or marksheet (all semesters)
- Passport copy
- Emirates ID copy
- University accreditation proof
- MOE application form (AttestExpress assists with filling)
How Certificate Equivalency Works
Attestation First
Your degree and transcripts must be fully attested (home country → embassy → MOFA) before equivalency can be applied for.
MOE Application
AttestExpress prepares and submits the equivalency application to the UAE Ministry of Education with all required documents.
MOE Evaluation
The Ministry evaluates your qualification against UAE standards — institution accreditation, curriculum, credit hours, and grading.
Certificate Issuance
MOE issues the equivalency certificate stating the UAE-equivalent level of your foreign qualification. Delivered to your doorstep.
Processing Time
15-30 working days (after attestation is complete)
Certificate Equivalency — Areas We Serve in Dubai
Free doorstep document pickup and delivery for certificate equivalency across all of Dubai:
Why Choose AttestExpress for Certificate Equivalency?
| Feature | AttestExpress | Typical Service |
|---|---|---|
| Free Doorstep Document Pickup | ||
| Free Doorstep Delivery | ||
| WhatsApp Tracking Updates | ||
| Transparent Pricing — No Hidden Fees | Often unclear | |
| All Embassies & Ministries Covered | Limited | |
| Same-Day Document Collection | Varies |
Certificate Equivalency — Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are different processes. Attestation verifies that your document is genuine. Equivalency evaluates whether your foreign qualification meets UAE educational standards. Attestation must be completed BEFORE you can apply for equivalency. You may need both depending on your purpose.
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