UAE launches digital service to verify education certificates issued overseas

A new digital project to verify academic qualifications has been launched in the UAE.

Launched by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the project marks a significant step towards a fully digital employment environment aligned with the UAE’s vision for digital transformation and eliminating bureaucracy.

The project enables employers in the private sector to electronically verify the authenticity of academic qualifications issued both within and outside the UAE.

Private sector employers and qualified workers holding academic degrees categorised under professional skill levels 1-4 from abroad — as defined by the National Qualifications Framework — can access the service through the Ministry of Human Resources’ digital platforms and business service centres across the UAE. In its next phase, the service will be extended to degree holders in professional skill levels 1-4 from within the UAE.

The service enables individuals and employers to verify the authenticity of academic qualification equivalency or attestation issued by the Ministry of Education.

An official report obtained by Gulf News revealed that the ministries have agreed on mechanisms for implementing this decision, requiring all employers and employees in the private sector — both citizens and residents — to obtain attestation or equivalency for academic qualifications acquired prior to or during employment.

Implementation measures also include requiring all employees in federal government entities to have any qualifications earned during employment attested, should they be used for promotion or role adjustment purposes. The procedures are designed to detect fraudulent or illegitimate qualifications issued by unrecognised institutions.

The Ministry of Education confirmed it has stringent procedures in place to ensure the authenticity of university academic qualifications submitted for equivalency. No application is accepted unless a series of seals and attestations from UAE embassies and competent authorities are obtained first.

Once an equivalency application is accepted, the ministry contacts the issuing university to confirm the certificate’s authenticity. The issuing institution is contacted directly to verify whether the applicant genuinely graduated, and the qualification is then evaluated against UAE academic standards once confirmed.

The report also noted that many employees in both the public and private sectors — citizens and residents alike — have not had their academic qualifications officially recognised because their employers did not require them to apply for equivalency. However, all federal institutions require their employees to apply for equivalency through the ministry.

It was also highlighted that the private sector generally does not require its employees to obtain qualification equivalency.

Khalil Al Khoori, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Human Resources, stated that the project launch forms part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance labour market efficiency and develop digital services for users.

Dr. Mohammed Al Mualla, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Higher Education, said the project will enhance accuracy, speed, and reliability in verifying academic qualifications, allowing economic sectors to attract talent suited to their needs and boosting their competitiveness.