Key takeaways
- Many countries start with verification by the university or education ministry.
- MOFA charges AED 150 per educational document; a degree and transcript are two documents.
- Up to five documents that use the same attestation method can go in one MOFA application.
- Attestation isn't recognition: MoHESR recognises foreign degrees, and MOE equalises school certificates.
- Laminated certificates are rejected by MOFA.
The process by certificate type
| Certificate | Typical route | Often also needed |
|---|---|---|
| University degree | University or ministry check, foreign ministry, UAE embassy, MOFA | Transcript; MoHESR recognition for some employers |
| Diploma or vocational certificate | Issuing body or ministry, foreign ministry, UAE embassy, MOFA | Mark sheets |
| School certificate from abroad | Education authority, foreign ministry, UAE embassy, MOFA | MOE equivalency for Grade 12 |
| Dubai private school certificate | KHDA electronic attestation, then MOFA if required | MOE equivalency for Grade 12 |
Step by step
- 1. Ask who needs it and why: an employer, a licensing body, a visa route or a school.
- 2. Check what's needed: the certificate alone, or with the transcript.
- 3. Verify in the issuing country with the university or education ministry, where required.
- 4. Foreign ministry, then UAE embassy in the issuing country.
- 5. MOFA in the UAE, at AED 150 per document.
- 6. Recognition or equivalency if the receiving body asks for it.
Attestation vs recognition vs equivalency
Attestation confirms the seals and signatures are genuine. Recognition of a university qualification from abroad is run by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) under Ministerial Decree No. 34 of 2025. For school certificates, the Ministry of Education (MOE) equalises Grade 12 certificates, and certificates from abroad must be MOFA-attested first. See equivalency certificate in the UAE.
When you'll need attested certificates
- Jobs: the UAE government portal says some jobs require expatriates to present attested academic certificates for residency and employment procedures.
- Abu Dhabi Golden Visa as a skilled professional: ADDED lists an attested bachelor's degree or equivalent among the documents.
- Professional licensing: healthcare, engineering and teaching regulators often run their own checks.
- School admission: transfer and leaving certificates for children.
Avoid these mistakes
- Laminating the certificate.
- Attesting the degree but not the transcript the employer wanted.
- Names that don't match the passport.
- Assuming attestation means the degree is recognised.
We plan the route for your country and institution and handle the MOFA stage. See educational certificate attestation and degree attestation.
Sources
- MOFA: attestation FAQs
- MoHESR: Ministerial Decree No. 34 of 2025 on recognising qualifications from abroad (PDF)
- MoHESR: recognition of a qualification from outside the UAE
- MOE: equivalency certificate for general education from abroad
- KHDA: attest school certificate
- UAE government portal: preparing to work
- ADDED: Golden Visa for skilled professionals
Official sources checked on 7 November 2026. This guide explains published rules in plain English and is not legal or tax advice. Rules change; we check the current position for your case before you act.