UAE Launches Digital Service to Verify Foreign Academic Certificates

Abu Dhabi : The UAE has launched a groundbreaking digital service aimed at streamlining the verification of academic qualifications issued outside the country, further advancing its vision of a fully digital and efficient employment system.

The initiative, rolled out by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) in partnership with the Ministry of Education, enables private sector employers to electronically authenticate academic degrees—both local and international—through official digital platforms and approved service centers across the UAE.

Who Can Use the Service?

The service is currently available to:

• Private sector employers
• Workers with academic qualifications from professional skill levels 1 to 4, as classified under the UAE’s National Qualifications Framework, who earned their degrees abroad.

In its next phase, the service will be extended to include qualifications earned within the UAE.

The platform provides real-time verification of qualification equivalency or attestation issued by the Ministry of Education, ensuring both employers and jobseekers can validate credentials swiftly and securely.

Mandatory Attestation for Employment

According to an official report, the new policy mandates all employees and employers in the private sector—whether UAE nationals or residents—to obtain official attestation or equivalency for academic degrees, whether acquired prior to or during employment.

The rule also extends to the federal government sector, where employees must ensure that any academic qualifications obtained during their tenure are attested if used for promotions or job role adjustments.

This measure is part of broader efforts to curb the use of fraudulent or unrecognised academic credentials.

Strict Verification Procedures

The Ministry of Education confirmed that it follows rigorous protocols to verify academic certificates. Applications are only accepted once they have passed multiple stages of authentication, including endorsement from UAE embassies and relevant authorities.

Once a request is submitted, the Ministry directly contacts the issuing university to verify the authenticity of the degree and the applicant’s graduation status. Upon confirmation, the qualification is evaluated in line with UAE academic standards.

Although federal government institutions have long required qualification equivalency, the private sector has generally been more lenient. The new system aims to standardize requirements and raise verification standards across all sectors.

Strategic Objectives

Commenting on the launch, Khalil Al Khoori, Undersecretary at MoHRE, stated that the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to boost labour market efficiency and deliver enhanced digital services to users.

Dr. Mohammed Al Mualla, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Education, added that the platform will improve accuracy, speed, and transparency in verifying academic credentials. He emphasized that the service will help employers across economic sectors attract the right talent, ultimately enhancing national competitiveness.